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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 1:31:08 AM EDT
[Last Edit: MrEG]
UPDATE: I got a Bambulabs X1 Carbon. It's amazing.
Guys, I have an Ender S1 Pro that I bought just to see if I would like 3D printing (I avoided buying an expensive printer on the off chance I wouldn't like it). Now I use it all the time and have learned I really like 3D printing. I use Tinkercad to design all manner of little parts, print them, and life is good, though I have no misgivings that my dinky Harbor Freight-esque setup makes me one of the cool guys. Well, I have graduated from making my own random doodads and have started trying to print lower receivers and the like. Simply put, my printer (as it sits today) cannot print with enough precision. The output parts are out of spec. A friend of mine who has a lot of experience with these kinds of things walked me through all the ways I can manipulate the flow and do this math problem and that trial and error procedure and whatnot. Alternatively, he says, I can buy a higher-end printer that will calibrate itself well enough that I can avoid that learning curve. Thoughts? |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 1:35:54 AM EDT
[#1]
A little extra info...
Part of me is kind of disappointed in myself because I have learned how do to most everything the hard way. So, hitting the easy button and buying a more expensive machine seems kind of lame. On the other hand, I'm an incredibly busy lawyer by day, and a father of five kids in the evening. So, it would easily be worth the money to be able to take some of the guesswork out of printing. I usually only have a little time after everyone goes to bed to mess with this stuff. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 1:40:40 AM EDT
[#2]
I'm leaning toward a Bambu Lab X1. But I'm open to suggestion.
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Posted: 3/11/2024 1:41:09 AM EDT
[#3]
Yea, that thing is old. Get something like a Prusa MK4 or Bambu X1.
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CO, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 5:09:28 AM EDT
[#4]
Learn to calibrate the printer.
You'll need to be able to do that with a cheap and expensive one. |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 10:17:33 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By gaspain: Yea, that thing is old. Get something like a Prusa MK4 or Bambu X1. Solid advice. Today I see Bambu and Prusa as the only real considerations for reliable, turn key consumer 3D printers. Some others show some promise but there are too many rough edges for me to truly consider them top shelf. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 10:52:29 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By gaspain: Yea, that thing is old. Get something like a Prusa MK4 or Bambu X1. I am looking to move away from my Ender 5+. Tired of tweaking and repairing to run great for a month and then going through the same process again. I have been considering either a Prusa XL or a Bambu X1C. I like a lot of the reviews on the Bambu and the fact is already has an enclosure. |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 11:51:57 AM EDT
[#7]
The XL is more of a project.
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AR, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 2:24:43 PM EDT
[#8]
Going to throw QIDI in the ring. Not as big a following as Bambu but adds a little more, IMHO.
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Posted: 3/11/2024 2:26:01 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Popov: Going to throw QIDI in the ring. Not as big a following as Bambu but adds a little more, IMHO. Not aware of it adding anything, besides build volume? |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 2:41:21 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By gaspain: Yea, that thing is old. Get something like a Prusa MK4 or Bambu X1. Agreed. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 2:57:47 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By gaspain: The XL is more of a project. @gaspain How so? Experiences? The enclosure and ready to rock and roll on a bunch of material types is what I like about the Bambu. But, the XL has a true multi-material setup with the head exchange. I am just not sure if I would utilize that. |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 3:00:23 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ag04blast: @gaspain How so? Experiences? The enclosure and ready to rock and roll on a bunch of material types is what I like about the Bambu. But, the XL has a true multi-material setup with the head exchange. I am just not sure if I would utilize that. Honestly initial reviews and user reports are not great for the XL. Already a lot of customizing going on and prints are not coming out well. The Bambu even being single extruder is delivering much better MM prints last I checked. Honestly I'm trying to hold out for a large format Bambu. If they could get a fast CoreXY machine that is as large of build volume as the big Voron Id be all for it. |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 4:03:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Rat_Patrol]
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By -Obsessed-: Honestly initial reviews and user reports are not great for the XL. Already a lot of customizing going on and prints are not coming out well. The Bambu even being single extruder is delivering much better MM prints last I checked. Honestly I'm trying to hold out for a large format Bambu. If they could get a fast CoreXY machine that is as large of build volume as the big Voron Id be all for it. Just go voron and enraged rabbit carrot feeder and have 16 filaments loaded up 
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Posted: 3/11/2024 4:07:38 PM EDT
[#14]
I'm not sold on Voron either. Only half of people can get them printing right and only another half can get decent performance. And I don't have that kinda time on my hands to build. And I'm not sure about the availability of automatic Z offset calibration and if I went down the Voron path I'd at least want that.
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Posted: 3/11/2024 5:11:29 PM EDT
[#15]
Voron has tap for z offset
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Posted: 3/11/2024 5:29:54 PM EDT
[#16]
The first two recommendations are solid.
The XL is a monster in size - and cost if you max it out with print heads. I can still see me owning one, but what a beast. I have had some of the best prints from my MK IV - while the MK 3S+ was a close second. Folks at work compared it to their best print and mine seem to be about the best. So right now I ma upgrading my old MK III -> IV to fix some issues due to it being a bit high mileage + age. Right now I am working hard to get the Voron LDO 2.4 kit; but I don't think it can do the same quality of prints as the MK IV. The goal is me getting that printer is to set it up for larger prints and having it come with its own enclosure so printing with ASA, ABS materials is possible. And to tinker, lots and lots of tinkering.... |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 5:45:56 PM EDT
[#17]
FYI : for the last 2 years, the LDO voron kit goes on a really good black Friday sale at matter hackers.
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AL, USA
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Posted: 3/11/2024 8:28:23 PM EDT
[#18]
Another vote for QIDI. I have the X Plus 3.
OP either way you need to learn how to calibrate your printer. I go by this guide and most everything is built into OrcaSlicer. https://ellis3dp.com/Print-Tuning-Guide/ |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 8:47:33 PM EDT
[#19]
Another vote for the Bambu.
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Posted: 3/11/2024 9:05:09 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rat_Patrol: Just go voron and enraged rabbit carrot feeder and have 16 filaments loaded up I have a non functioning Voron 2.4 350 under my desk. No one that I’ve had look at it or talked to can figure out how to get it to work. |
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Posted: 3/11/2024 10:16:19 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RV8guy: I have a non functioning Voron 2.4 350 under my desk. No one that I’ve had look at it or talked to can figure out how to get it to work. I will cover shipping to my home. 
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TX, USA
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Posted: 3/12/2024 12:42:28 AM EDT
[#22]
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
I just ordered a Bambu Labs X1 Carbon. I’ll let you know how it goes. |
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Posted: 3/16/2024 8:15:33 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrEG: Thanks for the feedback, guys. I just ordered a Bambu Labs X1 Carbon. I’ll let you know how it goes. Welcome to the club! |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 3/16/2024 10:55:03 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ScooterInVegas]
[#24]
You're going to be really happy with the X1C.
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Posted: 3/23/2024 11:57:08 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrEG: Thanks for the feedback, guys. I just ordered a Bambu Labs X1 Carbon. I'll let you know how it goes. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 3:31:10 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Saker13: While I like my MK4, if I were to do it over, I would get the X1 Carbon. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Saker13: Originally Posted By MrEG: Thanks for the feedback, guys. I just ordered a Bambu Labs X1 Carbon. I'll let you know how it goes. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 12:48:50 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrEG: Thanks for the feedback, guys. I just ordered a Bambu Labs X1 Carbon. I'll let you know how it goes. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 12:59:07 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Saker13: And, I now have an X1 Carbon I ordered the ObXidian high flow nozzle and am playing with the Orcaslicer Fork. It allows for a few more things. Make sure you have a micro SD card for the printer. It lets you save timelapses and .GCODE.3MF plates to the printer directly. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 4:03:53 PM EDT
[#29]
I'll throw in the Creality K1 Max. 300x300x300 build area, has auto Z (uses pressure from nozzle) and really is load and forget. The only down side is the lack of 3rd party slicing and eventhough it runs Klipper, they've locked it out and let you see the bare minimum. At some point, I'll jailbreak it. For now, it's really solid and fast.
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Posted: 3/31/2024 9:22:36 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By -Obsessed-: I ordered the ObXidian high flow nozzle and am playing with the Orcaslicer Fork. It allows for a few more things. Make sure you have a micro SD card for the printer. It lets you save timelapses and .GCODE.3MF plates to the printer directly. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 10:02:41 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Saker13: What file system does the SD card need to be formatted to? I have an old 64mb card I used for Home Assistant in the past and it isn't recognized. Have a few others I can try that are NIB but want to make sure I have the right format. No idea. I put one in, said it wasn't recognized, but then I saw that the printer can format them. So I just let it format it and now all is well. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/3/2024 12:44:39 AM EDT
[#32]
Update: I got a Bambulabs X1 Carbon with the AMS.
Holy cow. This thing rules. It just flat works and is basically idiot proof. |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 4/3/2024 1:31:02 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrEG: Update: I got a Bambulabs X1 Carbon with the AMS. Holy cow. This thing rules. It just flat works and is basically idiot proof. At first I was, 'glad he likes his Bambu as much as I like mine', then I was like, '.......Hey!'.
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MT, USA
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Posted: 4/3/2024 1:58:16 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrEG: Update: I got a Bambulabs X1 Carbon with the AMS. Holy cow. This thing rules. It just flat works and is basically idiot proof . You underestimate idiots. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 9:25:58 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By -Obsessed-: No idea. I put one in, said it wasn't recognized, but then I saw that the printer can format them. So I just let it format it and now all is well. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 9:31:13 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MrEG: Update: I got a Bambulabs X1 Carbon with the AMS. Holy cow. This thing rules. It just flat works and is basically idiot proof. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 9:53:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Rat_Patrol]
[#37]
Well, boys, I ordered a Bambu A1 Mini.
It's for my Dad though  . I will be getting it printing, making sure there are no issues with it, so I'll get some Chinese Bambu experience.I'm ordering the Prusa mk3.5 upgrade kit for my mk3s right away, just to get it into the modern era of input shaping and 32 bit. I have the MMU3 on it, so there you go I guess. Plus, I still have my partially built Voron 2.4 350mm that needs finishing  Once we finish moving, I'll see where printers are then, maybe I'll get the (hopefully fully fixed) Prusa XL, another tool changer(?), or I'll look at Bambu, especially if they have an XL version. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 10:05:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: -Obsessed-]
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rat_Patrol: Well, boys, I ordered a Bambu A1 Mini. It's for my Dad though . I will be getting it printing, making sure there are no issues with it, so I'll get some Chinese Bambu experience.I'm ordering the Prusa mk3.5 upgrade kit for my mk3s right away, just to get it into the modern era of input shaping and 32 bit. I have the MMU3 on it, so there you go I guess. Plus, I still have my partially built Voron 2.4 350mm that needs finishing Once we finish moving, I'll see where printers are then, maybe I'll get the (hopefully fully fixed) Prusa XL, another tool changer(?), or I'll look at Bambu, especially if they have an XL version. We are all very proud of you for swallowing your pride. That must have been very difficult. How was the purchase experience?
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Posted: 4/3/2024 10:08:43 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Steamedliver]
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By -Obsessed-: Not aware of it adding anything, besides build volume? Qidi does not rely on the cloud at all for printing on any of their printers. Qidi has several printers that use Klipper (basically the ones that get discussed here). Of course, its up to the user if those details are important. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 10:13:14 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Steamedliver: Qidi does not rely on the cloud at all for printing on any of their printers. Qidi has several printers that use Klipper (basically the ones that get discussed here). Of course, its up to the user if those details are important. THat doesn't add to the Qidi. That takes away from it. You don't have to use the cloud to print on a Bambu. The option is there. It's not required. I can print over LAN only, or can use an SD (actually MicroSD) like everyone else. And Bambu's firmware (not sure if it's actually Kilpper or a proprietary variant of such) but it does everything that Klipper can do to my knowledge. So if you want open source and to modify your own firmware, sure, Klipper will allow you to do that. But per my previous post...not sure that actually adds anything. But it's different, certainly. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 10:25:00 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Steamedliver]
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By -Obsessed-: THat doesn't add to the Qidi. That takes away from it. You don't have to use the cloud to print on a Bambu. The option is there. It's not required. I can print over LAN only, or can use an SD (actually MicroSD) like everyone else. And Bambu's firmware (not sure if it's actually Kilpper or a proprietary variant of such) but it does everything that Klipper can do to my knowledge. So if you want open source and to modify your own firmware, sure, Klipper will allow you to do that. But per my previous post...not sure that actually adds anything. But it's different, certainly. Depends on what you consider adding. There was a time Bambu was cloud based or SD card only, you can then say they removed a “feature.” Or you can say they added what users wanted, security. You can do a search to see how that was a big deal to certain people. Klipper is open source and has a much larger user base with modification than Bambu does. In that respect, it adds user modification, more customization possibility than the proprietary Bambu firmware. Edit. Can you modify the firmware like Klipper? Once again, it’s up to the user to determine if those differences are useful. I prefer OSX and Windows over anything Linux, despite the user base and customization / control Linux offers, as an example. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 10:34:02 PM EDT
[#42]
I'm still running my 4 year old Ender 3.
Last upgraded about a year ago still prints great. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/4/2024 12:16:24 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Saker13: In my less than a week of owning the X1C... Go to HD or Lowes and get a concrete paver that is about 16" by 16". Put your printer on it, I coated the paver in flex seal, partly for aesthetics and partly to protect the end table it sits on. The slab improved the noise a good bit. Haven't tested the speed yet..... Will do. Thanks. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/4/2024 12:17:22 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By tnertb: You underestimate idiots. Haha. At my level of idiocy, the machine has been up to the task. The whole thing is very intuitive. And I really like that the AMS can sense what filament I'm using and adjust the settings accordingly. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/4/2024 12:24:04 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MrEG]
[#45]
I printed a DB9 Alloy and got it all assembled. It's pretty slick.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/4/2024 12:25:57 PM EDT
[#46]
The pistol grip was printed on my Ender S1 Pro. The lower was printed on the Bambulabs X1 Carbon. It's a pretty remarkable contrast (though the materials are different, too).
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/4/2024 12:26:37 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MrEG]
[#47]
Post removed.
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