Welcome to the SeeMeCNC Community

I received a Rostock Max v2 for Christmas and just finished the build yesterday. I'll be doing the calibration today and would like to run at least a test print tonight.

So I have two questions:
1) Right now I only have some PLA meant for the Replicator that I picked up at Staples . If I try a few test prints with that and then want to switch to ABS, do I need to have a second print head or can I switch back and forth between ABS and PLA? What is the procedure for switching back and forth?

2) I live about 70 miles from the nearest place I can buy ABS, so I ordered some from Amazon. Unfortunately, due to the timing I expect it will spend 12+ hours sitting outside in 10-20 degree Fahrenheit weather. Will this ruin the ABS or will it be ok if I let it come back to room temp before using it?


tia,
John

No you just change filaments (see how to do this in the manual) and run at different temps.
PLA you normally run about 190-210 DegC Hot end and <=60 DegC For the Bed Temp.
ABS you normally run about 225-240 DegC hot end and >=90 DegC for the bed temp.
Some people may run outside of these ranges but they are a nice starting point.

There are stock setting files you can download from here: http://seemecnc.com/pages/downloads
for ABS/PLA etc. You then place these files in your Slicer DIR and from within Repetier you load in those settings for the slicing procedure.
I don't use matter control but I think if you DL it from SeeMeCNC it comes with them baked in.

PLA tends to stick to your build plate very easily and ABS is more likely to come free during printing .. so I use more glue coverage for ABS. ABS shrinks
a bit so you really need to ensure you've got your surface prepared with a nice coating of glue and your Z Height is spot on (see manual for Z Height procedure).

Personally I'm 95% ABS with the odd PLA print, something flat and square can be more difficult in ABS but with some practice and tweaking you'll get it dialled in.
See the video and basic guides for ABS in this area of the boards:
http://forum.seemecnc.com/viewforum.php?f=36
Basic Video on Changing Filament on Orion **Same procedure in principal on a V2 just different filament routing I think.
Printing with ABS - A Primer

Your ABS should come in a vacuum sealed bag with some desiccant so it should be fine unless the bags holed. Most people store their filament in ziplock bags with some desiccant or use Tupperware. In my experience you don't need to oven dry ABS or PLA simply store in a warm place in a sealed container with some desiccant is good enough.. Nylons and some other filaments benefit heat drying.
I use some cereal tubs with some desiccant in the base e.g.

@RocketMagnet, thanks for the info! This is my first venture into 3D printing so I appreciate the help. To get started, I did download MatterControl, but I definitely want to spend some time finding the right software. At the moment I am going through the Z height calibration steps in the instructions guides and taking it very slowly so that we can have as good a first print experience as possible.