Introduction
After testing more than five brands of 3D wood filament in our DunaTech workshop, we realized that not all of them are equally reliable, especially on printers like the Witbox. Some produce stunning finishes with a real wood look, while others cause constant nozzle clogs. Today, I’ll explain everything you need to know to choose, configure, and print with this type of material on your Witbox.
Types of Wood Filament
There are various compositions of wood filament on the market, but not all are suitable for the Witbox or any FDM printer. Here are the most common types:
– **PLA with wood particles:** The most popular and easiest to use. It contains around 30% wood and the rest is PLA. Works well with standard temperatures (190-220 °C).
– **Hybrid filament (wood + polymers):** Ideal for finer details, although it requires more precise temperature control.
– **High wood concentration filament (>40%):** Produces more natural finishes but tends to wear out brass nozzles quickly. Hardened steel nozzles are best for this type.
In my tests, PLA with wood particles was the most stable on the Witbox. However, **beware of cheap brands**: some leave residues that clog the nozzle after several hours of printing.
How to Print Wood Filament on a Witbox?
To avoid issues, follow these key settings we tested on our Witbox:
1. Adjust the nozzle temperature
– Set it between **200 °C and 210 °C** for standard PLA wood filaments. Some brands may require lower temperatures; check the manufacturer’s specifications.
2. Use the right nozzle
– **Hardened steel nozzle:** Recommended to prevent wear. Wood particles are abrasive.
– Minimum diameter of **0.4 mm**. Using smaller nozzles may lead to clogs.
3. Printing speed
– Reduce speed to **30-50 mm/s**. In my tests, higher speeds resulted in uneven finishes and nozzle issues.
4. Filament storage
– Store the filament in a dry place and use a desiccant. Wood absorbs moisture easily, which affects print quality.
5. Flow settings
– Increase the **flow rate to 110%-115%**. This helps compensate for variations in filament density.
Common Issues and Solutions
1. Nozzle clogs
This is the most common issue. If the filament clogs:
– **Clean the nozzle** using a specialized 3D printer needle.
– Reduce the printing speed and increase the temperature by 5-10 °C.
2. Uneven finishes
Is your print showing darker areas or uneven lines?
– This is often caused by poor filament mixing. Switch to a brand with a better reputation, such as ColorFabb or FormFutura.
3. Warping or deformation
Although PLA with wood has less warping than other materials, it can still happen:
– Use a heated bed at **50-60 °C** and apply painter’s tape to improve adhesion.
FAQ
Can standard brass nozzles be used?
Yes, but it’s not ideal. Wood particles wear out brass faster. I recommend investing in hardened steel nozzles.
What filament brands do you recommend?
In our tests, the best brands were **ColorFabb WoodFill** and **FormFutura EasyWood**. Both offer the perfect balance between durability and wood-like appearance.
Is a heated bed necessary?
Not always, but it improves adhesion and reduces the risk of warping. If your Witbox has a heated bed, set it to 50 °C.
Conclusion
Printing with wood filament on your Witbox can deliver spectacular results, as long as you correctly adjust the settings and use quality materials. After testing various configurations in our workshop, we’ve found that PLA with wood particles is the best option to avoid issues. By following the tips in this article, you’ll avoid clogs and achieve prints that look like genuine wood.
— The DunaTech Team