3D Printed Minecraft Torch With Wood Grain

For my son’s eighth birthday, I designed and 3D-printed a Minecraft torch inspired by the iconic in-game item. Using Fusion 360, I created a parametric model that accommodates a simple flashlight with a base button, requiring no wiring or soldering. I added a wood grain texture to the body, and printed the top using translucent filament with a gyroid infill to mimic a flame. The model is adjustable to fit different flashlight sizes and includes test prints to ensure a proper fit. I used PLA filament and shared the design for the community to recreate.

1. Flashlight - https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B0D5CGSMCQ
2. Torch Body Filament (Brown PLA) - https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B094FDSQHC
3. Torch Top Filament (Translucent Yellow)- https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B0CGX58DCR

If you want to recreate this model, you can find the files over at Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/1016330-minecraft-torch-with-wood-grain-parametric

To get started, I began with some research. I looked at what the torch looks like in the game to get a clear sense of the design. From there, I dove into the world of 3D printing, checking out what was available on Printables, a website that hosts 3D files for printing. While I found some interesting models, they didn’t have the level of detail I was looking for. I also explored what was already available for purchase and found some official Mojang Minecraft torches, but again, I wanted something more custom.

From my research, I identified three key elements I wanted to include in my design. First, I came across a 3D model from [SanfordPrime_562474](https://www.printables.com/@SanfordPrime_562474) that used a simple flashlight as the light source. The flashlight had a button on the base, allowing it to be turned on and off without needing to disassemble the torch or deal with any wiring. This was a game changer—it meant no soldering or complicated electronics, which made the whole process much easier.

The second takeaway was the wood grain texture. I found this feature in one of the official Mojang torches that was up for purchase, and I loved how it added a more realistic, tactile feel to the model. I knew I had to incorporate that into my design as well.

Finally, I wanted my torch to closely resemble the one from the game. It had to have that pixelated, blocky look that Minecraft is known for, so it was important for me to capture that style in the final product.

With my key elements in mind, the next step was to figure out how to bring them to life, starting with the wood grain texture. I knew I wanted this engraved into the model, but I needed to experiment with some modeling techniques to make it work. I began by searching for some simple vector files that had a wood grain pattern, eventually finding a design that I liked. I then imported the file as an SVG into Fusion 360, the design software I was using. From there, I ran a few tests to see how well the engraving would translate onto the model.

As I ran tests with the wood grain designs, I quickly realized that too much detail wasn’t going to work. Fusion 360, or maybe just my computer, struggled with processing overly complex patterns. Plus, when the designs were too intricate, the 3D prints didn’t come out well—they lost clarity and the wood grain became muddled.

So, I decided to simplify things by creating my own vector files. I grabbed a thick black marker and freehanded some wood grain textures on paper, keeping the design bold and minimal. Once I was happy with the sketches, I used an online tool called vectorizer.ai to scan my drawings and convert them into vector files. This approach worked perfectly, and I finally had a design that was both simple enough to process and detailed enough to look great in the final print.

Once I knew the wood grain design would work, it was time to gather the supplies. For the light source, I needed flashlights with a button on the base, just like the model I’d seen earlier. I found a set of eight on Amazon, which was perfect for both the torch and any future projects.

Next, I needed filament. I already had a brownish filament for the base of the torch, which worked well to give it that earthy, wooden feel. But for the top—the part that would represent the flame—I needed a translucent yellow filament. After some searching, I found exactly what I needed on Amazon and placed the order.

With the supplies ordered, I moved on to sketching out the model in Fusion 360. Since the flashlights hadn’t arrived yet, I had to rely on the pictures and dimensions from the Amazon listing to estimate their size. Using that information, I created the first version of the torch design, complete with the slot for the flashlight and all the details I’d planned, like the wood grain texture.

Even though I was still waiting for the flashlights, I decided to go ahead and test print the first version to see how it would come together.

With my son's birthday quickly approaching and the flashlights still en route, I decided to get a head start by painting the base of the torch to match the color scheme from the game. Since it was my first time painting a 3D print, it turned out to be more of a challenge than I expected.

At first, I tried using alcohol inks, but I quickly realized they weren’t ideal. The capillary action of the 3D print caused the ink to bleed into areas it wasn’t meant to go, making the results unpredictable. So, I switched gears and opted for acrylic paints instead. This gave me much better control, and I was able to start building up the colors to get the look I wanted.

Once the painting was done, I was pretty happy with the results. The colors matched the in-game torch well, and the acrylic paint gave it a nice finish. Then, finally, the flashlights arrived in the mail. But, as luck would have it, they didn’t fit quite as expected.

The difference was small—just a matter of a couple of millimeters or even less—but it was enough to prevent the flashlight from sliding in smoothly. Luckily, it wasn’t a major setback. With some careful sanding on the inside of the torch, I was able to adjust the fit, and soon the flashlight was snugly in place.

With the flashlight fitting properly, I moved on to printing the top of the torch—the part that represents the flame. By then, the translucent filament had arrived, so I was ready to go. This part of the project was actually pretty straightforward. I just needed to tweak the slicer settings a bit to get the look I wanted.

After experimenting, I decided to use the gyroid fill pattern, which gave the print a wavy structure that closely resembled the flickering of a flame. It turned out even better than I expected, capturing the look of the glowing torch perfectly.

With the flame top printed and everything ready, I assembled the entire torch. Once it was all put together, I wrapped it up and gave it to my son on his birthday. He was absolutely thrilled with it, and seeing his reaction made all the effort worthwhile.

Seeing how much my son loved the torch inspired me to share it with the broader community. To make sure that others could use it with different flashlight sizes, I went back to Fusion 360 and redesigned the model to be parametrically adjustable. This way, anyone who wants to make their own Minecraft torch can easily adapt it to fit the flashlight they choose.

For this purpose I also created two "parametric test" bodies, one for the top and the other for the base. Which can be printed at first to test the fit and function of the torch. Everything is okay if the flashlight moves freely in the base but fits snugly in the top, and the flashlight is able to light up by clicking on the top.

Once the dimensions have been tested you can continue with printing. The scale of the torch can be modified by adjusting the ScaleFactor named d81 & d96. At full scale the torch measures 240mm. I find that at a scale of 0.6 the total height is 180mm, which is more managable.

If you want to recreate this model, you can find the files over at Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/1016330-minecraft-torch-with-wood-grain-parametric