3D Printed Candle Mold – Burn 2020
I’m saying goodbye to 2020 by burning a 2020 candle made with a 3D printed mold. This project is part of a collab with my friends 8 Bits and a Byte, Make It And Fake It, Hannah Makes, Ian Charnas, and Natasha from Technochic! Be sure to watch the dramatic supercut:

I embedded a handmade ornament inside made from sheet metal. The little dumpster fire is revealed as the candle burns. I was inspired by PyroPet candles.
I had the idea that I should be able to 3D print a mold for liquid wax to make this candle. See, the melting temperature of the wax (~60 degrees C) is way lower than that of the PLA filament (~185 degrees C). I had made soy wax candles in the past, so I pulled out my candle making supplies and did some research online.
Soy wax is much too soft to use for casting– it won’t pick up fine details or hold its shape after demolding. My research suggested beeswax and paraffin are more suited to molding into freestanding pillar candles, but that beeswax is notoriously sticky, making it more difficult to remove from molds. So I chose to start my experiments with paraffin wax.

Supplies

For this candle, you will need:
- Paraffin wax
- 3D printer, I’m using the Creality CR-10S Pro
- PLA filament
- Candle wicks
- Wick holders
- Wax-compatible pigment (optional)
- Wax pouring pitcher
- Pot with water (slightly bigger than pouring pitcher) for double boiler
- Hot glue gun
- Rubbing alcohol
- Thermometer
For the brass ornament embedded in the candle (optional), you will need:
- Sheet brass
- Jeweler’s saw frame with blades
- Jeweler’s cutting lubricant
- Paper template
- Center punch
- Flex shaft or drill fitted with a tiny drill bit
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