How to Choose Wood Filament: A Complete Guide
Wood filament is a type of 3D printing filament that has been on the rise in recent years. Wood filament is made from wood powder and starch. The wood filament has a natural wood smell, which disappears after the first time you print with it.
It's available in various colors and textures, so this makes it easy to use for any project you might be working on. Choosing the right wood filament for your 3D printer can be tricky, as there are a lot of factors to consider.
If you're looking for more information about wood filament, then this blog post includes five helpful tips that will help you make an informed decision when choosing your wood filament.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Wood Filament
There are many options available when it comes to wood filament. Check out this post on how to choose your best wood printing filament:
Material:
Wood filament is made from wood particles or wood flakes. Wood Flakes are a good choice for beginners because the shape of wood fiber is easier to print with than wood chips.
As wood chips have irregular shapes that require more skill and experience on behalf of the printer in order to get them to stick together well enough for printing.
Types:
Regular woodfill: Regular woodfill wood filaments are available in many different colors, like beige and pink as well as natural shades of browns and greens.
It's important to note that regular wood filament uses the smallest particles for printing. It should only be used with a high-temperature nozzle such as bronze or brass which can withstand high heat.
Taulman woodfill: Taulman woodfill is a good option for wood filaments because it's the most wear-resistant of all types, but this increased durability comes with an increase in printing time.
The slower print speed can be balanced out by reducing infill to make sure that any prints you do take longer don't use up too much filament. Teflon particles are used in order to make wood filament stronger and more durable.
Water-soluble: Water-soluble version is also available and has the same benefits of regular wood filament, but can be dissolved with warm water following printing for easy removal from your 3D printer!
This type is great if you're new to wood filaments or don't have access to distilled water and want wood filaments that are more sensitive to water.
Bamboofill: Bamboofill wood filaments are a good choice for printing wood objects with smooth surfaces, such as lamps or vases that need to be coated in varnish.
Because the surface of this wood type will not have any bumps like other wood types would which could cause bubbles when coating with varnish.
Corkfill: Corkfill wood filaments are a good choice for printing wood objects that need to be perfectly smooth.
Because the surface of this wood type will not have any bumps like other wood types would which could cause bubbles when coating with varnish or polyurethane.
Dowel fill: Dowel fill wood filaments are great for printing objects that need to be stronger and more durable, like handles or parts of furniture.
Because even distribution of materials in this wood type makes it stronger than any other kind!
Colors:
Wood filament comes in many wood-grain colors. Some wood filaments have a lighter color for the final layer to make it look like finished wood, while others are made with actual dark wood such as walnut or cherry wood.
You can find 3D printer filaments that look like oak and maple too. The lightest wood filament is usually birchwood which has a very pale hue compared to other woods.
It also tends to be less expensive than most of the other options available on the market today because it's not as durable when used without supports.
Although some people prefer using this option precisely because they want their prints to appear more fragile and natural looking than those produced by darker types of wood filament.
Print Temperature:
The wood filaments will require the use of variable heat settings when printing, with an average temperature range between 220-250 degrees Celsius for best results.
The actual temperature that you choose should be based on your preference but it may also depend on other factors.
Such as how much lint or debris there might be from cutting wood at home versus using pre-cut wood pieces.
Water Resistance:
Some wood filaments are treated with lacquer to make them water resistant, while others do not have any special treatment.
If you want your prints to be waterproof then you should choose wood filament that is already coated in a clear coat. Or you can also use other types of finish which will seal the wood and prevent it from absorbing liquids such as water.
Elasticity:
Wood filament is more elastic in nature than regular PLA wood filament and has a slightly higher tolerance to bending.
Higher flexibility wood filament is less likely to break or snap, and will better withstand woodworking tools such as hammers or chisels.
Price:
The price for wood filament varies per kilogram. The higher end of this spectrum would include some types of wood like walnut which has been extensively aged before being turned into wood filament specifically for printing.
This process makes the wood much stronger than regular birchwood but also raises its cost considerably too.
So if you're looking for an inexpensive wood filament then the wood with a more natural color and without any special treatment would be the best option.
Eco-Friendly:
Some wood filaments are eco-friendly and made from sustainable wood sources. This type of wood filament will be typically less expensive because it's cheaper to produce but the quality might not be as high either.
Odor Free:
Some wood filaments have an odor. When choosing wood filament, it's important to test the smell first before you buy.
If the wood has a strong natural scent then your prints may also become permanently scented which can be unpleasant for some people.
Spool Size:
The size of Spool is also important to consider. You want the wood filament spool to be large enough where you can quickly and easily change out your wood filament when it starts getting low.
Filament Diameter:
Wood filaments range from 0.40mm to 0.90 mm and are available at a wide variety of diameters with the most common being 0.50mm, which is appropriate for many wood machines on the market today.
A wood filament that is on an extra large diameter of approximately 180mm will work well for larger prints or those who use their printer with more frequency.
Printers:
The most important thing when choosing your wood filament would be what printer you have because not all printers support printing with wood filaments.
For example some printers might require wood filament to be heated before printing and thus require a heated bed. So be careful when choosing a wood printer.
Advantages of Disadvantages of Wood Filaments
There are many reasons why you might want to purchase wood filaments for your printer such as:
Aesthetic look: Wood filaments are available in wood-like browns and whites. The wood filament prints can have a wood-like texture or appearance due to the natural coloration of wood.
Stronger than other material: Wood filaments offer higher tensile strength, so they might be better for printing projects that require more force like handles on tools or parts of furniture.
Quality: Wood filaments are produced by many different types of companies at various quality levels. So it's important for you to know what type of company you 're purchasing from before buying anything.
Easy to print: Wood filaments are a more forgiving material for printing, which means they require less prep work and setting up before you're able to print on them.
Authentic wood smell: Wood filaments offer an authentic wood smell when they are extruded and printed.
Cheap: Wood filaments are cheaper than other types of filament. For those looking for a cheaper alternative to PLA and ABS filament, consider using wood filament.
Safe for kids: If you have children who like to make things on their printer, then wood filament might be a better choice for you.
You can give a wonderful finishing touch by sanding down or by painting them. Wood prints also tend to look nicer when left unpainted and unfinished.
Disadvantages Of Wood Filament:
Uses only for lower temperatures: Wood filament can only be printed at lower temperatures than other materials, meaning you have to find a printer that can print with wood filament.
Bothersome smell: Wood filament smells like fresh cut wood when printing which may bother some people in close proximity during long prints.
Flammable: Wood filament is flammable so it is recommended to keep wood filament prints in a cool, ventilated area.
Frequent cleaning: Wood particles will accumulate on your print bed as the wood filament evaporates which means youโll need to clean it more often and be more diligent in wood filament storage.
Cause uneven layer heights: The wood particles inside the wood filament can cause uneven layer heights when printing which means youโll need to keep a close eye on your printer monitor during longer print jobs.
Ooze: Wood filament can ooze out of the wood nozzle during printing which may be an issue for printers with limited space.
Common Applications Of Wood Filaments:
Replacement wood: Wood filament can be used as a replacement wood, such as in furniture and automotive parts.
Wooden artworks: Using wood filaments allows you greater artistic control than other types of wood-based prints.
Design sample board: Wood based samples are perfect for showcasing your design work on a wooden background.
Cabinet doors or drawer fronts: Wood is a wood that can be used in many ways to enhance the charm and atmosphere of your home.
Cabinet door stands out against any type of kitchen decoration because itโs made from natural material which has texture and depth that sets it apart from other fake alternatives manufactured today by machine processes.
Laser engraving: Wood filament allows for laser engraving on wood surfaces without any type of damage to the material.
Wooden toys: Printing wood filaments onto wood-based materials makes it possible to design, manufacture and sell wooden toys that are safe for children.
They do not contain harmful substances like lead paint or other toxic chemicals which might otherwise prevent them from being sold at all.
FAQs:
1. Is Wood Filament Biodegradable?
Answer: Yes, wood filament is 100% biodegradable.
2. What Wood Types Work Best With Wood Filament?
Answer: Most wood types work well with wood filament, but some exotic and high-end wood types do not work well because they are too hard to extrude.
3. How Do You Measure The Diameter Of Wood Filament?
Answer: You can use a caliper, micrometer, or precision screw gauge to measure the diameter of wood filament.
4. Are Abrasives Necessary For Printing?
Answer: Abrasives are generally not necessary when printing wood, but they may be added if you want your printout to have a more polished look or feel.
3d Wood filament tends to sand naturally without an additional abrasive applied during production so it's less likely that this will need to be done by hand afterwards using tools like sandpaper and steel wool as needed before painting or staining the piece.
5. How to Use Wood Filament?
Answer: First choose the size of the nozzle. Then balance the temperature of the hot end to wood pla filament extrusion temperature.
Disconnect the wood Filament From the extruder and push wood filament into the hot end. Reconnect Filament to extrusion assembly.
6. What is the Alternative of Wood Filaments?
Answer: Ceramic and Metal filament is usually more popular among the wood-filament community, which makes it difficult to find a good balance of wood choices.
Wood can be soft or hard, making different applications for each type in mind. Soft wood is easier to come by than hardwood because there are wood particles in nearly every wood-type.
7. How To Replace Parts For A Wood Extruder?
Answer: The wood filament design of our wood printer is an all-in one system, which means that there are no replaceable parts or attachments needed during printing except for a standard M12x0.
Conclusion:
Wood filament is a great choice for any 3D printer because its strength, flexibility and durability make it an ideal material to use. Weโve seen an increase in demand for this product, which means it can be hard to find at times. Thatโs where we come in! With our guide on wood filaments, you may get your hands on some top-quality materials that will last longer than traditional plastic or metal alternatives.
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