When to use 1.75 mm vs 3 mm filament?
Why do we have two standard filament sizes, 1.75 mm and 3 mm? Does it really make a difference when printing? Or is the 1.75 mm just for smaller printers?
In what situations should I be using 1.75 mm?
When should I be using 3 mm?
There's no appreciable difference. Just use the filament that fits your particular printer.
If you don't yet have a printer, then I'd get one that uses 1.75 mm filament:
1.75 mm is increasingly becoming the "standard", thus being easier to get. Some filaments are not available as 3 mm.
1.75 mm filament allows for finer control, because feeding in 1 mm of filament corresponds to less plastic extruded.
1.75 mm filament requires less force to extrude. Compressing 1.75 mm down to 0.3 mm takes less force than doing the same to 3 mm filament.
However, the advantages are fairly minor. I don't see any reason to replace a functioning 3 mm extruder with a 1.75 mm one (yet).
You mention some very good points! Do you think this mean printers with 1.75 mm extruders struggle less with - for instance - stringing?
Do note that 3 mm filament is becoming rare, 2.85 mm is more common (but not so common as 1.75 mm filament) and for instance used by Ultimaker printers and to date easily available.
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Content dated before 7/24/2021 11:53 AM
Tormod Haugene 7 years ago
You mention some very good points! Do you think this mean printers with 1.75 mm extruders struggle less with - for instance - stringing?