This page is dedicated to the practical considerations of choosing filament for hobbyist 3D printing. It's based on personal experiences, focusing on the use of cost-effective filament, and discusses when other brands might be necessary for specific needs like material types or color vibrancy.
In the realm of 3D printing, filament choice is a balance between cost and quality. As a hobbyist, I've often found that affordable options like Creality filament meet most of my printing needs without a significant compromise in quality. Through my experience, the difference in quality between budget and premium filaments is often minimal, especially for standard projects.
Even worse, I've had premium fillament terribly tangled.
I would recommend to find a well known, affordable manufacturer which offers a broad ranke of Materials and colors to choose from. Experiment with different Brands etc and you will find the difference mainly in how well the Spools are handleable, if the Filament is tangled and how intense the colors are.
This is a little biased section, because this is my primary Filament that I use and personally purchase. I have heared many good of other brands in the internet such esun, but Creality filament is best available here in Switzerland.
Cost-Effectiveness: Creality filament stands out for its affordability, making it an ideal choice for regular use. A roll of PETG or ABS typically costs me around $13, which is economical for frequent printing.
Consistency and Roll Quality: One aspect I appreciate about Creality filament is its consistency. The rolls are perfectly wound, reducing issues like tangling and uneven extrusion. This quality ensures reliable prints every time.
Color Limitations: While Creality offers a range of colors, I've noticed that some of them are not as vibrant as some of the more expensive brands and the choice is a little limited. I always create Material Plates for future reference,
There are occasions when I venture into other brands, particularly for unique colors or material properties that Creality doesn’t offer. For example, when working on a project that requires a specific shade or a special filament type (like a flexible filament with a particular shore hardness), I turn to brands that specialize in those areas.
Comparing Color Vibrancy: In my experience, more expensive filaments often offer more vibrant and diverse color options. Furthermore the Filaments of Cheaper brands are sometimes, ever so slightly translucent because they add less pigment. This has never been an issue to me, as the aesthetics are a choice of taste and I mostly use 3-d Printing for mechanical parts anyways.
Furthermore I found it much easier to have some basic colors which suit most needs, and then some specialities for decorative objects.
Impact on Finished Projects: The aesthetic appeal is something very secific. I would say that at least one neutral color is required. I have black, white and translucent white. These fit in many places of the household.
Furthermore, I have some basic colors, when I want to "freak out" a little bit. These would include: Dark blue, red, translucent blue, translucent red.
And then I have 3 "Special filaments": Woodfill (my choice for most decorative projects and a regular buy)
shiny (a one time buy, its nice but tricky to print with and seems heavily induced with chemical additives)
Pink for my girlfriend (used it once)
Material Plate Concept: I have developed a practice of creating a material plate for each type of filament I use. These plates are small, printed samples that document the filament’s color, finish, and other properties.
Benefits: This practice has proven invaluable for future projects, allowing me to easily reference and compare the properties of various filaments I have used.
Documentation Process: On each plate, I note the filament type, brand, color, and print settings. This reference system helps in quickly identifying the best filament for a particular project based on past experiences.
In conclusion, as a hobbyist, understanding the properties and performance of different filament types and brands through personal experimentation is crucial. This knowledge enables better-informed decisions, balancing cost, quality, and the specific requirements of each project.