Whisper of the Wild - Driftwood Cat (22cm high)

Whisper of the Wild - Driftwood Cat is a striking cat sculpture inspired by driftwood artists and the love for cats.

The sculpture is formed from flowing organic shapes that capture the animal’s graceful movement and untamed spirit. It makes a unique decorative piece for cat lovers and nature enthusiasts.

This print can be a bit challenging, so I recommend it for experienced users. The finished sculpture is approximately 22 cm (8.7 in) tall and 15 cm (5.9 in) long. The model requires many supports and includes several free-hanging sections that print for quite a while before connecting to the rest of the sculpture. The print profile has therefore been slowed down to work well with Wood PLA and provide the stability needed for these areas.

For the easiest support removal, keep the model in the provided vertical position. This helps reduce the amount of support required and makes the supports as manageable as possible to remove. Support removal will take some time and should be done carefully. A few very small support branches may remain deep inside the sculpture, but they are hidden and not noticeable from the outside.

The most delicate areas are the driftwood-style pieces forming the front legs. Take extra care when removing supports around these sections, as well as around any thin or free-hanging details. With patience and careful handling, the finished result is a highly detailed and impressive display piece.

Printing

• Use a clean print plate with some glue (unless you are using a super tack plate)
• Use dried out filament
  • (Different filament types impact the print differently, please adjust your settings accordingly.)

• Keep the model in the provided vertical position

   

Support Removal Instructions

1. Allow the print to cool completely before removing it from the build plate.
2. Remove the model from the plate carefully while supporting the base with both hands.
3. Start by removing the larger support sections around the base and outside edges.
4. Work slowly from the bottom upward. Do not pull large sections away with force.
5. Use small flush cutters, needle-nose pliers, and tweezers to remove the support branches in smaller pieces.
6. Be especially careful around the thin driftwood pieces forming the front legs, as these are the weakest parts of the sculpture.
7. Support delicate and free-hanging sections with your fingers while cutting nearby supports.
8. Cut stubborn branches into smaller sections instead of twisting or pulling them out.
9. Some tiny support branches may be located deep inside the sculpture. Remove them only when they are easy to reach.
10. It is better to leave a small hidden support branch inside than risk breaking the sculpture. These pieces are generally not noticeable.
11. Do not use excessive heat during support removal, as Wood PLA can soften or deform quickly.
12. After removing the supports, clean up rough contact points with a precision knife, small file, or fine-grit sandpaper.
13. Support removal will take time. Patience and careful handling are important for protecting the thin driftwood details.

Light sanding and gentle, controlled heat may be needed to clean up areas where the supports were attached. I used a handheld mini torch, but apply heat carefully to avoid warping or damaging the print. Wood PLA is very sensitive to heat!

For more home decor, go here: https://makerworld.com/en/collections/21918876-modern-home-decor

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