I’m looking to order several spools today to take advantage of the volume discounts from Bambu Lab.
I’d like to maintain a stock of all the basic colors I’ll need this coming year, but I’m on the fence about stocking up on PTEG-HF vs PLA.
Thoughts?
Why are you on the fence?
Each provides different benefits.
PETG is slightly more flexible and forgiving, PLA has a much wider array of colours available, assuming you are talking about Bambu Lab palettes.
PETG-HF is an easy material to print with and is more reliable than PETG ever was.
I have all the PLA Basic colours, almost all the PETG-HF colours, most of the ABS colours, many of the PETG Translucent colours, all of the wood, all the TPU for AMS, all the PLA Metals, some silk, many Carbon Fibre and some Glass fibre.
I have well over 200 now.
Yes, I am a filamentaholic.
Grab what you think you will use most or what you think will give you a greater palette range.
I use PLA far more than any other material, which is partially due to my long history (relatively speaking) of 3D printing.
Update
I forgot, I have all the PLA Matte colours as well.
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PLA, unless you want to spend your time drying instead of printing.
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Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
I’m on the fence because I like the durability and water-proof nature of PTEG for vases, outdoor stuff, planters, etc. But I like the ease-of-printing with PLA. I have a few grays and blues and orange for PTEG already, and those work well for housewares/planters. I don’t think I’ll be printing that stuff in bright colors.
I think maybe I just needed to talk this out with you - now that I think of it, the main reason I’m stocking up on colors is to print fun models and playthings, which will mostly be PLA not PTEG. I think I mostly have what I need in PTEG for now.
Thanks!
I have the A1 and have been printing with PLA and PTEG, and finally got a filament dryer so I can use my PTEG-HF.
Aside: Is PTEG-HF actually faster than PLA to print?
Also: Do you have any Bambu Lab filament recommendations to purchase? Specifically I’ve been looking at the PLA Metals and PLA Galaxy filaments. I loved the PLA Iron Gray I got a while back.
I like the metals, the oxide green is by far my favorite. I’m liking the wood more than I would have originally thought, it isn’t particularly woody but it has an attractive matte finish. Although I have the galaxy I haven’t tried it yet, but I not expecting to be impressed.
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Thanks - I might switch my bulk order to include some wood rather than galaxy.
Any thoughts on PLA Glow?
No.
It can still be around 80% longer than PLA, it also takes more electricity due to the need for much higher temps on the hot end and build plate.
I think you answered your own question.
I love the PLA metals, the gold is great, and easily my favourite of the set.
PLA Sparkle and PLA Galaxy are very close in appearance to each other (at least to me), but neither does well unless used in big areas of your models as otherwise there are insufficient areas to show the distinct features.
Some of the new PLA colours are great, they make the primary colours really pop.
I have all the woods, be aware they include some real wood and can cause blocks in the hot end. Go for the distinct colours if you already have any browns.
I have just ordered all the PLA Glow filaments, due tomorrow if I am lucky. I asked a friend who has printed lots of glow models and she advised the BL ones are not the best. I have gift cards, so, that meant they were essentially free.
BTW is it PETG not PTEG.
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PETG! I end up spelling it PTEG because of how I pronounce it as a “word”. 
Pee-Teg
I updated my response.
I think you’ve saved me from visiting a bunch of Galaxies that will stay far, far, away from my printer for too long. LOL
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I do like their PLA Marble white.
That was figurative.
I am currently printing with ASA-CF, that is not possible on your A series printer though.
You can print with PLA CF though, provided you have a hardened steel nozzle.
I have all of those as well.
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Personally a hard pass, but I’m sure some people use it once. It will destroy your tubing and AMS quickly, less than a spool.
Malc says he finds the Sparkle and Galaxy very similar, if that is the case I would skip Galaxy as the Sparkle, which I have used, is pretty underwhelming.
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I am going to order the Marble White too - will look good for simple sculpts.
I love how the wood filaments gives the room a slight wood shop smell.
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Ahhh - the smell of caramelized lumber from a table saw - brings me back to my dad’s shop from childhood!
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True.
The ASA-CF I have just printed with gives the sense of impending collapse due to fumes.
Very different outcomes!
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Why on earth would you stockpile colors? what kinda weirdo does that???
oh nvm 
I did this with PLA Basic and Matte, another cabinet has PETG, but I rarely print anything other than black, white or gray in PETG, so I only have a couple of those colors. For aesthetic prints, you’ll get more mileage with PLA imho, since there’s more color choices available, more finish options of course (regular, matte, silk, metal, sparkle, etc.) and it’s of course easier to print with. You’ll also be able to switch up colors willy nilly without concern for compatibility (mostly) vs PETG multi-color can’t be mixed with PLA - and there’s far more choices for PLA.
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You organised people!
I know I bring up the impending death too often, but, it affects every decision I make.
If I expected a few more months (I am on borrowed time now) I would have had some built-in units made for the printers, the filaments, the spares and the MakerSupply stuff.
I know 90+% of what I buy now will be given to people once I am dead, but, I like to play with stuff.
Congratulations, that is impressive. I would have gone by hue, another reason I should not have such nice things.
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I have some pending models that you will use the marble with.
Launching next week hopefully.
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Why is it totally normal for a quilter to stock every color thread imaginable, but for us it’s somehow strange to add a new room to the house for our stock?
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