HATCHBOX Natural PLA 1.75 mm, 1 kg Spool: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-23

Summary

Older HATCHBOX PLA spools have gone brittle in storage, “natural” is a color name rather than a certified clear filament, and the maker publishes no exact mechanical or thermal data for this SKU. Raw material runs $21.99 per kg on the maker’s store, or $26.98 delivered for one spool, with no subscription. At $19 or less delivered it is a good buy; at $21–$22 in a combined order it is a reasonable no-frills PLA.

Common problems and fixes

Brittle filament after long storage — owners of 2018 Transparent Orange and a 2020 translucent blue roll reported snapping, and a 2023 AMS owner reported older rolls breaking during repeated load/unload cycles. Keep the spool sealed with desiccant, inspect for cracks, and contact the seller with order details and photos; the 30-day satisfaction guarantee covers defects on arrival, not aged stock. [11][12][14]
“Natural” is not optically clear — clarity depends on wall count, infill, seams and print profile, and no transmission or haze data is published. A hobbyist found natural PLA from another brand still did not print very clear. Print thicker walls or choose a specialty clear filament if transparency matters. [1][16]
Occasional defective roll — the maker says popping or hissing with poor prints can indicate a bad roll and asks for order name, order number and photos of the roll and defective prints. Hissing can also be moisture, so dry and re-test before assuming a manufacturing defect. The 30-day guarantee is the documented coverage. [2][4]
Bed adhesion is not automatic — the product claims no heated bed is required, but the FAQ recommends a heated bed, painter’s tape or glue stick when prints will not stick. Tune the first layer and clean the bed surface. [1][2]
Uncertain spool fit in AMS and dry boxes — the 225 g empty-reel weight does not settle current outside diameter, core or flange, and one owner reported an older HATCHBOX spool was too thick for a specific holder. Check dimensions before relying on an automatic feeder. [2][10][14]
Heat deformation — PLA creeps and deforms well below its 155°C melt point; avoid mechanical service and hot environments such as a car interior. [5][7]
No exact technical data published — the FAQ states detailed technical data are not currently available. Buy on the published 180–220°C range and your own test prints, not on a datasheet. [2]

Parts and consumables

Replacement spool (SKU 3D PLA-1KG1.75-NAT, UPC 191314041022) — $21.99 plus $4.99 shipping for one spool, or no standard freight on qualifying two-plus-spool orders; needed after about 1 kg of useful extrusion plus scrap and failed prints. [1][3]
Filament dryer or dry box — optional reusable tool, not part of the $21.99 reel. No manufacturer-exclusive cassette is required. [2][6]
Extruder nozzle, hotend, feeder tube and build plate — printer parts, not sold with the spool. For ordinary unfilled PLA no hard-steel nozzle is required; replace based on printer wear and actual failures. [1][2]
Painter’s tape or glue stick — optional first-layer adhesion aids mentioned in the FAQ when prints will not stick. [2]

Yearly running cost

At the posted $21.99 per kg, raw material costs $0.02199 per gram: about $2.20 for a 100 g part and $5.50 for a 250 g part, before supports, failures, freight and tax. One spool delivered costs $26.98 including $4.99 shipping, or $0.02698 per gram. A 3 kg year on three spools in one qualifying free-shipping order costs 3 × $21.99 = $65.97 before tax; 12 kg costs $263.88. Ordering each 1 kg spool individually adds 12 × $4.99 = $59.88, for $323.76 total before tax. Electricity cannot be estimated: wattage, print hours and local rates are not published, and no SKU-specific drying energy is documented. There is no subscription or proprietary cartridge. [1][3][2]

When it is a good buy

Good buy at $19 or less delivered for a new sealed 1 kg spool with good return rights. At $21–$22 delivered it remains a reasonable no-frills PLA, especially in a combined order that qualifies for free shipping. Above $24–$27 delivered, compare Jessie Premium PLA Natural at $24.99 from Printed Solid, or Polymaker PolyLite PLA Natural, whose page shows $19.99 in its default black variant marked unavailable, so $19.99 is not a verified orderable Natural price. At $28 or more for 1 kg, the single-spool shipping premium makes it hard to justify unless you want this exact tone or profile; Jessie Natural at $24.99 is a concrete alternative, with delivered cost depending on that store’s shipping. Alternatives: Jessie Premium PLA Natural 1 kg at $24.99 with spectrophotometer color measurement and a PrusaSlicer profile library; Polymaker PolyLite PLA Natural with a 190–230°C nozzle range and 25–60°C bed guidance; or HATCHBOX White PLA 1.75 mm 1 kg at $21.99 for white lithophanes and color-critical pale parts where Natural may look warm or translucent. [1][3][7][8][9][15]