Wood filament is, as the name suggests, a filament that looks like real wood after it’s printed. You can find filament that looks like birch, bamboo, cedar, cork, coconut, and more. To be clear, it’s not actually wood. It’s typically colored PLA that results in prints that look like authentic wood. Sometimes cork, wood dust, or other powders are included. Marbling and matte effects can add to the realistic wood texture.
Technically, you can make any print with wooden filament. However, if you’re going to invest in wooden filament instead of normal varieties, it makes sense to print models that look like they’re made of wood. With that in mind, here are 10 of the most amazing wood 3D prints. From wooden treasure chests to Baby Groot, these designs are sure to bring new life to your 3D printing!
Hinged Chest
Pirate treasure chests are typically made of wood, and 3D printed treasure chests are no exception. You can make this chest with wood filament for a print that looks like the real thing. The chest isn’t only a figurine, though; it’s functional, with working hinges and a lock and key system.
The model is quite small, so you can store earrings or other similar-sized objects at most, or you can scale it up and hide a larger treasure inside. As long as you don’t mark the X on any map, your treasure will stay safe and sound.
- Who designed it? DrLex
- How printable/popular is it? This popular model has 86 makes, and the one in the image was printed with Geeetech’s wood PLA.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Brio Tracks
Since Brio tracks are wooden, using wooden filament for printing accessories, replacement tracks, connections, and crossings is an ideal way to keep your train park feeling harmonious.
Brio tracks are easy to print because they don’t require supports and can be printed with low infill. Just watch out for good calibration and warping, as they have very planar geometries.
- Who designed it? Avianna
- How printable/popular is it? While the design only has a little over a dozen downloads so far, we’re sure the number’s bound to keep growing! The model shown in the image is done in wood filament, although the user doesn’t explicitly mention the brand.
- Where to find it? Printables
Playground
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned playground? This is a great print for dioramas, kids, or for yourself. If your other prints are feeling bored, this set will give them somewhere to play.
Keep in mind that some of the parts need supports. The playground is printed in parts and requires gluing, so it can be a good model to pass the time. The author shared their own printed result, and although they don’t say explicitly which brand, they used wood filament for the project.
Baby Groot
Groot is perhaps the most famous pop culture character made of wood, second only to Pinocchio. Curiously, Baby Groot seems more popular than the original Groot and the teenage version.
This model is the product of many iterations. For some reason, the classic Baby Groot model is sad. Other popular iterations show him happy, but the pose makes it harder to print. Therefore, the designer of this model took matters into their own hands and created a new Baby Groot model that’s sitting and happy to be printed.
- Who designed it? Raxian
- How printable/popular is it? 73 users have shared their makes, and 8 their remixes. The one shown is printed in Polywood filament.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Owl Figurines
Wood figurines are rustic and unique while giving your house an antique vibe. However, they’re not always the easiest to find or afford. The motto of 3D printing is that you can make anything at home…
So why not make antique-like items with wood filament? Owls are a classic decorative piece that you can place on a fireplace mantel or coffee table. This handsome fella is even wearing an elegant top hat which people seem to love, as it has more than a hundred makes.
- Who designed it? Mr_MegaTronic
- How printable/popular is it? This popular model has 112 makes. The handsome owl shown is printed in Formfutura’s EasyWood Coconut Filament.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Collapsable Basket
With 141 makes, this is one popular basket. What makes it so appealing to people (and animals)? Probably the interesting concept. It’s printed in 2D and pre-assembled. Moving a few things around, it becomes a 3D printed basket that’s strong and stable enough to hold items like fruits.
You can use it as home decor or pack it in your bag for on-the-go emergencies, which won’t cost you any space. Your basket can be any color, but using wood filament gives it a cool, rustic look. It would look pretty funny if you’re carrying a “wooden” basket inside your backpack.
- Who designed it? 3DPrintingWorld
- How printable/popular is it? The collapsible basket has 141 makes, it’s print-in-place, and it doesn’t require supports.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Succulent Planter
Fancy sprucing up your home with decorations that look like they’re carved from wood? Consider 3D printing your own succulent plant potters. These will look amazing on a window sill, side table, or desk.
By using wood filament, you can have succulent planters that look like you went to a collector’s shop, even if you made them at home. These planters include a drainage system to avoid sedimentation and oxygen loss at the roots.
- Who designed it? cgpena
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 129 makes, and all the pots are different files so you can choose which ones you want to print. The ones shown were printed using Tianse wood fill PLA Light Wood.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Bee Inn
Do your part to save the bees by building them a new home! This bee hotel will give these hardworking pollinators a place to lay their eggs.
Printables user noelito was inspired to create this project after bees tried to make a home in his deck and lay their eggs in the holes. To save them more work, he made this bee hotel with 50 rooms, so a big group can use it (if they’re willing to share). The hotel was printed with wood filament and a 15% infill. And, according to the designer, no supports are needed.
- Who designed it? noelito
- How printable/popular is it? This model has been viewed around 300 times it has more than 40 downloads. No makes have been shared yet, so you could be the first.
- Where to find it? Printables
Birdhouse
While we’re on the topic of printing animal homes, you can never go wrong with a bird charging station. This will bring birds to your garden, add color and music, and provide the birds with a place to snack.
You can add a camera to get unique, up-close footage of the birds. To do this, simply pause the print before it starts to close up, add the camera, and resume. The resulting model even includes a handle to make it easy to hang. You can add a rope, as seen in the image, or you may even be able to fit it directly on a branch.
- Who designed it? Michal Fanta
- How printable/popular is it? This fancy birdhouse has over 1,400 downloads from Printables and MyMiniFactory combined, and 1 community print has been shared. It doesn’t require supports, and the author used Fillamentum Timberfil.
- Where to find it? Printables, MyMiniFactory
DIY Art Deco Analog Thermometer (with Arduino)
Now for a design that’s a bit more challenging of a project. This is an analog thermometer, but while it looks like an antique Art Deco woodcarving, it is, in fact, 3D printed.
The author explains how to replicate it in great detail, and so far, one user has managed to replicate it successfully. Of course, you don’t need to print it in wood filament, but as the author shows, it looks pretty stylish. In addition to the 3D printed part, you will need an Arduino Nano and temperature sensors, but the author provides a full bill of materials to help you get started.
- Who designed it? educ8s
- How printable/popular is it? This project has around 300 likes and a maker shared their successful reproduction. The author used FormFutura’s EasyWood filament.
- Where to find it? Instructables
License: The text of "The 10 Most Amazing Wood 3D Print Files" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.