Clear filament options
I'm seeking a nice quality clear PLA or PETG filament that will be as glassy as possible (given that it's filament...). Any brand recommendations?
RE: Clear filament options
On youtube I saw a movie, after printing , the filament needed alcohol put on the filament, then it turn very glass like.
Then it needed 2 or 3 days hardening because the alcohol made it soft.
The name of the filament i forgot.
RE: Clear filament options
Transparent 3D Prints
RE: Clear filament options
I watched that yesterday. It's the PolySmooth filament treated with alcohol. Sounds quite messy and prone to failure, but it seems to be the best option at the moment.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Clear filament options
Hmm. That does look pretty amazing - but I'd rather something a little less messy and difficult. I was just thinking regular clear, but was wondering what brands offer the best quality and least yellow look - wasn't looking for magic, so to speak. For example I've liked the Fillamentum translucent colors. Does that open up any other options?
RE: Clear filament options
After having watched the video, that is pretty amazing, and doesn't look as difficult as I was anticipating. Life is busy anyway, so I could easily wait the required time between alcohol sprays to let the print dry.
I intended to use this for a lampshade but with LED - so hopefully the heat + alcohol-doused filament should not be a fire concern.
Still interested in more conventional options, though.
RE: Clear filament options
If you can get by with tansulcency without glass-clear transparency, you can get some reasonable results without extr post-processing.
This is AmazonBasics PETG using a modifier to use 1 perimeter for the middle of the clear section using a 0.80mm nozzle with 0.96mm extrusion width and 0.64mm layer height. It's not clear, but I can see when a refill is needed.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Clear filament options
That's pretty nice, Bobstro!
RE: Clear filament options
If you are planning to print lampshades I would like to ask you if you want your print to look perfectly clear or simply translucent but with refractions due to layer lines. I went for the later to spread the light more evenly. I posted pictures in another topic:
The lampshades in the picture are mostly single wall spiral vase mode.
This should be possible with most transparent PETG filaments. I used filament by the German manufacturer DasFilament and it worked well.
PETG has the advantage of being less heat sensitive which can help around lightbulbs.
RE: Clear filament options
If you are planning to print lampshades I would like to ask you if you want your print to look perfectly clear or simply translucent but with refractions due to layer lines. I went for the later to spread the light more evenly. I posted pictures in another topic:
The lampshades in the picture are mostly single wall spiral vase mode.
This should be possible with most transparent PETG filaments. I used filament by the German manufacturer DasFilament and it worked well.
PETG has the advantage of being less heat sensitive which can help around lightbulbs.
FWIW I printed some nearly-enclosed lampshades for LED bulbs in PLA. They're holding up fine so far, ~5 months now, I think.
RE: Clear filament options
Good point, Timo. I did not really expect or want the final product to be crystal clear, like glass. My thought was that between having a regular 0.4 size nozzle and wanting to print something that might take a couple perimeters (maybe this), I hoped to maximize clarity and minimize yellow color for more sparkle and brightness.
I'm also printing pendants - if you have a link to the model you used, I'd be interesting in adding to my collection of candidates!
I think PLA + LED will be okay, but as the creator of the above linked model mentioned, will definitely be keeping a sharp eye on any lamps until I'm certain.
RE: Clear filament options
FWIW I printed some nearly-enclosed lampshades for LED bulbs in PLA. They're holding up fine so far, ~5 months now, I think.
Thanks. Good to hear that PLA is an option, too. What kind of lightbulb are you using and what distance to the PLA?
RE: Clear filament options
Good point, Timo. I did not really expect or want the final product to be crystal clear, like glass. My thought was that between having a regular 0.4 size nozzle and wanting to print something that might take a couple perimeters (maybe this), I hoped to maximize clarity and minimize yellow color for more sparkle and brightness.
I'm also printing pendants - if you have a link to the model you used, I'd be interesting in adding to my collection of candidates!
I think PLA + LED will be okay, but as the creator of the above linked model mentioned, will definitely be keeping a sharp eye on any lamps until I'm certain.
If you want to minimize yellow then you can just go for some clear PETG. That should not add any colour at all.
Regarding the model: I designed the model myself around one specific kind of bulb holder I bought in a local hardware store in Germany. I also modeled each lamp shade as 3 parts which I sliced with different settings. I then combined the different Gcodes (as explained in the linked post) to generate a printable Gcode with a colour change about 8h into the print.
Altogether it is rather complicated and messy to slice/print and only works with one specific bulb holder which is why I didn't share the design.
RE: Clear filament options
FWIW I printed some nearly-enclosed lampshades for LED bulbs in PLA. They're holding up fine so far, ~5 months now, I think.
Thanks. Good to hear that PLA is an option, too. What kind of lightbulb are you using and what distance to the PLA?
It's the standard ikea (~7W?) LED bulb that comes with those pendant cords for about 10 bucks. Space wise there's maybe an inch or less at the closest point, but the shroud is quite tall so there's 2-3" above the bulb. I've felt them after running for several hours, they're no more than warm to the touch and the PLA doesn't feel like it's softened at all.