3D printing has taken the world by a storm. From kids to adults, it has got everyone hooked. We all know 3D printers need filaments to work and create 3D objects. We usually use PLA and ABS filament for these structures and they undoubtedly produce fine models. But, no matter how cool those plastic models are, these wood-based models are going to be your new favorite.
So, if you are looking for a wood-based filament for your next 3D creation? No need to worry as we have got you covered. The wood filaments are a blend of polylactic acid (PLA) filament and wood particles, cork, and dust. Despite the lower percentage of wood, the models produced are detailed and of high quality.
We have curated the list of five best wood filaments that can help you make solid wood objects in no time. We are here to suggest you the best wood filament. All these products have good ratings on Amazon and have proved their worth in delivering high-quality 3D results. We will review each of them for you, so you can choose the one that fits your printer the best.
How was this List Prepared?
Handling a 3D printer is enough drama, we didn’t want you to go through more. So, we took this task on our shoulders to provide you the right information.
Once again, we talked to the 3D printing enthusiasts, both hobbyists and professionals about which filament do they prefer. They have used different types of filaments over the years and always review each of them for our convenience. Most of these people put up youtube videos and also link their favorites in the description box. That helped us find the products easily.
The customer reviews on shopping websites further helped us. People had even posted the wooden models made out of the filaments which were quite impressive.
What to Look for in a Wood Filament?
First things first, always choose a high- quality filament. To get smooth and detailed models, the filament should be good. Also, the low-quality one might damage your printer. The wood filament you buy should be compatible with your printer.
From baby Groot to even a chess set, you can print out some beautiful wood models with the right filament. Make sure you buy enough for the objects you want to print.
Lastly, you can also choose the color of the filament according to the 3D model. In case you don’t find the desired color, you can change the color of the model by increasing the temperature of the printer as well. You can choose the best one from the options we have reviewed below. Let’s talk about them, shall we?
Best 3D Printer Wood Filament
First on our list is the Monoprice Wood filament, Laywood. It is made of 40% recycled wood combined with polymer binders. It doesn’t wrap or shrink while using. It gives your 3D model a real wood look and you can easily sand away the unwanted parts. This filament prints with high-resolution models with high accuracy
It works smoothly in your printer and doesn’t get jammed anywhere. The print quality is perfect. A few customers shared the picture of the 3D models they printed out with this filament and they were flawless. It is sold in 0.5 kg spool and is slightly on the expensive side. But the prints it produces, make up for every penny spent.
You can change the filament color as per your preference by increasing the temperature of the printer. Through this, you can get the 3D model in your desired color. Also, this filament is biodegradable so it doesn’t cause any pollution. How cool is that! Keep it away from moisture, sunlight, and heat to avoid damage to the filament.
Pros
- Smooth print
- Eco- friendly
- Produces high- resolution models
Cons
- Can’t print water- related models
- Prone to overheating
Verdict
This is one of the most popular filaments which is also environment friendly. The printed models are of high quality and the filament works best with Monoprice printers.
Tianse is a popular and reliable brand of filaments. This filament has 25-30% wood along with PLA content. This is the best wood PLA filament. If you want to print larger models, this is the ideal filament for you as it has a low shrinkage rate. It works best with nozzles with a diameter above 0.5mm
The filament is highly compatible with a variety of printers like Makerbot, Mendel, etc. It gets wrapped properly and melts well in the printer to produce the required 3D models. It can be easily molded into the desired shapes. It has an easy flow that goes into the printer to produce the 3D models.
The prints are smooth and detailed. Also, the filament neither gets clogged nor does it form any bubbles while printing. It doesn’t leave any odor and is non- toxic. Also, it is of high quality and is durable. Tianse provides 24 x 7 customer support service in case you face any issues.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Can be easily molded
- Produces smooth and high-quality prints
Cons
- Doesn’t change too much color
Verdict
A good filament from a reliable brand. The prints are smooth and the filament can easily produce any desired model. Moreover, it doesn’t leave any odor during the process.
This one is good quality and affordable 3D printer filament. It is easy to use filament that sands and stains easily. The 3D models produced using this filament are smooth and have a detailed wood-like texture. It forms no bubbles while printing and doesn’t clog the nozzle.
Geeetech filaments are known to be used both by beginners and professionals. It is compatible with most of the 3D printers. The filament is vacuum-sealed so that it doesn’t absorb any moisture. It is 1.75mm filament with a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm. It works perfectly with most FDM 3D printers.
The nozzle temperature should be at 180- 210 degrees for the printer to print using this filament. It doesn’t necessarily need a heated bed to print on. It relatively has a lower price than the other wood PLA filaments. The customer service is quite supportive in case of any technical issues.
Pros
- Good customer support
- Doesn’t clog/ forms bubbles at the hot end
- Low price
Cons
- Gets brittle if not stored properly
Verdict
A great pick for all the 3D printing enthusiasts and is quite affordable as well. It can be sanded and stained to give any desired shape and color to the printed model. Go for this one if you are looking for something low priced but with good quality.
This Wood filament is a big hit in the 3D printing world. It is a PLA based filament combined with recycled wood. It is made of plant-based materials, polymers, and wood. It is easy- to use and warps less. You can experience printing some real wood- like models using this filament.
You can easily sand out the unwanted parts and then stain it to give a perfect look to your 3D model. An Amazon customer was able to print out the whole spiral chess set using this filament. They sanded the models and stained them properly to provide a sleek look to each piece.
The filament gives out a nice woody smell along with great quality prints. The edges of the objects are pretty smooth. The filament diameter is 1.75 mm and is sold in 1 kg spool. Even the Hatchbox filament doesn’t necessarily need a heated bed to print on. It can work without it.
Pro Tip
Store this filament in an airtight bag or container as it absorbs moisture easily. This might affect your 3D models.
Pros
- Eco- friendly
- Smooth prints
- Doesn’t need a heated bed
Cons
- Can get brittle if not stored properly
Verdict
Another eco- friendly filament, this one is also of good quality with proven results. The positive reviews on Amazon back up this statement along with the pictures of the 3D models shared by the customers.
Last but not least is the MG Chemicals wood filament. It is a blend of PLA and wood particles. Use it with nozzles above the diameter of 0.05 mm to avoid clogging. The temperature for printing using this filament should be between 185- 230 degrees.
You can adjust the print temperature according to the color of the wood you want. Although the filament also comes in dark and light shades. It is easy to use. All you have to do is put in the filament, select the design and wait. Also, slowing down the print speed is recommended to add extra smoothness to the print models.
The diameter tolerance of this filament is 1.75mm. It is compatible with almost all the 3D printers. It is recommended to remove the filament from the hot end once you are done printing to avoid cleaning the extruder later. The filament fibers should not be around the hot end as they might clog the printer.
Pros
- Good quality prints
- Easy to use
- Smells like wood
Cons
- Needs frequent fiber clean up
- Can clog nozzles
Verdict
A solid filament that can produce quality wood models. It is easy to use in the printer and is available in lighter and darker shades. This filament is compatible with almost all the printers. Keep the filament in an airtight container or it can become brittle due to moisture.
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Things to Keep in Mind while using the Wood Filament
The filament is the most important part of 3D printing. It can make or destroy your 3D model in an instant. That is why it is necessary to choose the right filament. Also, if you are stuck somewhere while using the filament, certain youtube videos might sail you through the problem.
We have enlisted some relevant points that are you need to read about. These are important for all the first time wood filament users. There are many things you need to keep in mind before using the filament. These little trips and tricks will help you get the best 3D wood models.
- Use a Larger Nozzle:
It is recommended to use nozzles with larger diameter when the wood filament is being used. The added wood particles can clog the nozzle, so use a nozzle ranging from 0.4 mm to 0.6mm to get a good print.
- Low Temperature:
The temperature should be kept as low as possible while printing using a wood filament. The high temperature might inflame the wood particles ad they can clump near the hot end. So, keep an eye on the temperature.
- Fast Print Speed:
If the print speed is fast, the model will move from the hot end as quickly as possible. That’s how it won’t ignite and will get completed. Higher layer heights are also recommended to get a fine wood print.
- Remove the Filament when the Printer is not in Use:
Always remove the wood filament from the printer after you are done using it. Otherwise, the wood particles will keep burning inside and clog the printer.
- Wood Sandpaper:
Higher layer height and larger nozzles can affect how your final model looks. Wood sandpaper can be your savior here. Sand away the useless parts of the model and give it your desired shape and look.
Also Check: Best Tables for 3D Printers
Buying Guide:Best 3D Printer Wood Filament
Here’s a small buying guide to make you understand what features you should look for in your ideal filament. A little extra research might help you find the right kind of filament. But we have done all the legwork for you. This will save you a lot of time which you can use to think about your next 3D creation. All you have to do is go through this guide and you’ll be all set. Read on!
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Size:
You need to consider what you want to print. Buy the filament according to your model needs. Even if your printer has the resume print function, you need to be prepared with the extra filament. Some extra filament at hand is going to hurt no one. You can use it later as well.
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Quality:
We mean, the filament should be of good quality and strong. It should easily mold into the required shapes. Moreover, it must produce smooth 3D models and have a low shrinkage rate.
Having the right amount of PLA and wood particles is important too. Some filaments are biodegradable and do not cause any pollution. You can choose these eco- friendly filaments as well.
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Compatibility:
Make sure the filament you buy is compatible with the 3D printer. It should work easily with the printer and not cause any clogs and bubbling. Certain filaments work with specific printers. A wrong filament can harm your printer as well. So, you need to be wary of that.
- Print Models:
A little research will also help you to find the printed 3D models using specific filament. When you are buying a filament on Amazon or any other website for that matter, just scroll down a bit and look at the printed D models by previous customers. You don’t want to end by buying spools of filament altogether and regretting it later. The pictures they share will give you an idea of the filament actually works.
Conclusion
After reviewing all the above filaments, we will tell you above the one we liked the best. It is the best out of the lot and is quite popular in the 3D printing world.
The wooden filament we personally recommend is the Tianse PLA Wood filament.
The customer reviews for this one were super positive. It has a low shrinkage rate and can be easily molded to form 3D models. The prints produced are of high quality and quite smooth. You can print out real wood like objects using this filament.
There are a variety of wood filaments available. Some even prefer the brown-colored filament instead of a wood one. But the wood filament gives you the feel of real wood that is unbeatable. We hope we helped you find the right filament for your 3D creations. Make sure you take care of all the necessary points while choosing the filament. Happy filament shopping!