gayler
Well-known member
I need some non standard size pickup rings for my guitar and thought it would be cool to have a printer. Any input on this type of hobby . Like I need another hobby! Lol
Recommend an inexpensive 3D printer please.
- Thread starter gayler
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pcrov
Well-known member
I have and highly recommend the Bambu A1 Mini. It's as close to "it just works" as you can get in 3d printing and it's on sale right now for $200.
us.store.bambulab.com
Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer
Fully Automated, Multi-color Printing with AMS lite, Bed-slinger with CoreXY Speed, Bambu Lab latest 3D printer A1 mini makes 3D printing easier and better with cutting edge features and reliable performance.
us.store.bambulab.com
Jeff
Well-known member
Bambu A1 mini x353. Instant set-up, basically load and go. It does NOT come with filament.
niget2002
Well-known member
You'll need CAD software to design the part unless you can find something to download online on printables.com
The bambu printers have a recommended slicer software that will take the STL or 3MF file from the cad software and turn it into the gcode that the printer needs.
Then you upload the gcode to the printer to print the design.
I don't use bambu printers, but I believe their slicer software is called orcaslicer. It's the same one I recently started using with my printers. I think you can just tell it which printer you have and what type of filament you want to use and it has presets to take care of the rest.
The bambu printers have a recommended slicer software that will take the STL or 3MF file from the cad software and turn it into the gcode that the printer needs.
Then you upload the gcode to the printer to print the design.
I don't use bambu printers, but I believe their slicer software is called orcaslicer. It's the same one I recently started using with my printers. I think you can just tell it which printer you have and what type of filament you want to use and it has presets to take care of the rest.
pcrov
Well-known member
Their slicer is Bambu Studio, though Orca Slicer is based on it and works too. You can also use their mobile app, Bambu Handy, to send and monitor prints directly. Bambu's version of printables.com is makerworld.com but you can grab stuff from anywhere.
For CAD I use onshape.com but fusion is freely available and pretty popular. People also get tons done with just tinkercad.com despite how simplified it is.
Oh, pro-tip: mcmaster.com provides CAD files freely for tons of their stuff which is super handy.
For CAD I use onshape.com but fusion is freely available and pretty popular. People also get tons done with just tinkercad.com despite how simplified it is.
Oh, pro-tip: mcmaster.com provides CAD files freely for tons of their stuff which is super handy.
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niget2002
Well-known member
Thanks for that. I knew there was some type of relation.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
People like the Bambu. I haven't tried one.
However I have had the Creality ender 3, which is $169 from Amazon, for about 4 years now.
It took maybe an hour or two to set up. The first print from it out of the box was the best 3d print I had seen at the time. And I've seen plenty that aren't as good as the ones i get off of my machine. I've gone through probably 10 spools of filament on mine - and it still works like new.
Maybe it was just that good out of the box, however I spent an extra hour beyond the instructions to "tune" the backlash out of the axes when I got it.
My only complaint is that it's a little slow - I would be tempted to get the 600mm/sec model today - which is about $100 more.
The slicer software that comes with the Creality is pretty basic, but it works fine. Most of the time I download files to print from either Thingiverse or a couple other sites. I've made a few of my own, but not much.
However I have had the Creality ender 3, which is $169 from Amazon, for about 4 years now.
It took maybe an hour or two to set up. The first print from it out of the box was the best 3d print I had seen at the time. And I've seen plenty that aren't as good as the ones i get off of my machine. I've gone through probably 10 spools of filament on mine - and it still works like new.
Maybe it was just that good out of the box, however I spent an extra hour beyond the instructions to "tune" the backlash out of the axes when I got it.
My only complaint is that it's a little slow - I would be tempted to get the 600mm/sec model today - which is about $100 more.
The slicer software that comes with the Creality is pretty basic, but it works fine. Most of the time I download files to print from either Thingiverse or a couple other sites. I've made a few of my own, but not much.
ArcReactorKC
Well-known member
DO NOT purchase an Ender 3 in 2025.
You can get a bambu a1 mini for under $200 very often https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/a1-mini in fact right now.
It will print multitudes faster and be multitudes more reliable than the ender series.
It is 2025 and 3d printing made leaps in abilities and reliability in the last few years
Stop suggesting ender 3's.
You can get a bambu a1 mini for under $200 very often https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/a1-mini in fact right now.
It will print multitudes faster and be multitudes more reliable than the ender series.
It is 2025 and 3d printing made leaps in abilities and reliability in the last few years
Stop suggesting ender 3's.
duneslider
Well-known member
So, I just got a Bambu P1S. I know virtually nothing about 3d printing. A friend had a bunch of these P1S's and was selling them so I got a "good" deal. Anyway, setup was super easy. The bambu app "Bambu Handy" is very easy to use and I was printing stuff in literally a few minutes from pulling it out of the box and plugging it in. I have not yet ventured into making my own designs to print, I have just been printing stuff others have created that I found on the app. My initial impression is 3d printers are more enjoyable than I expected and I am already working on some of my own designs to organize tools at my workbench. I know NOTHING about other brands but thus far I am very happy with the Bambu P1s.
I am looking at getting an AMS for it, I don't care much for multi-color stuff but the kids really want multicolor trinkets...
I am looking at getting an AMS for it, I don't care much for multi-color stuff but the kids really want multicolor trinkets...
Timely thread I was just watching a video of somebody making their own urethane bushings for vintage car as parts were no longer available. He printed the forms used to make the parts. So much is now possible I really need to look into this some more.
Shocker
Well-known member
So I would recommend spending some time researching the various platforms available and those coming out.
With Black Friday rapidly approaching, there will be more deals available. FlashForge AD5X was available for $237 with its 4 spool multicolor and auto leveling. People are very happy with that printer. The Adventurer was also on sale.
I would wait if you aren't in a big hurry. One of the things being discussed with Bambu is that they will be requiring all users to upload their designs to their servers in order to print them. If you are only printing publicly available files then probably no big but if you design proprietary stuff, that would be a hard no for me. Guaranteed they will be stolen and knocked off by Chinese companies.
2026 promises to be a pretty solid year for new 3d printers so I would start researching and wait to see what pops up.
With Black Friday rapidly approaching, there will be more deals available. FlashForge AD5X was available for $237 with its 4 spool multicolor and auto leveling. People are very happy with that printer. The Adventurer was also on sale.
I would wait if you aren't in a big hurry. One of the things being discussed with Bambu is that they will be requiring all users to upload their designs to their servers in order to print them. If you are only printing publicly available files then probably no big but if you design proprietary stuff, that would be a hard no for me. Guaranteed they will be stolen and knocked off by Chinese companies.
2026 promises to be a pretty solid year for new 3d printers so I would start researching and wait to see what pops up.
pcrov
Well-known member
This is just FUD. They've recently published their trust center with ISO certification and a whitepaper covering their security practices. Plus you can always use LAN-only mode or disconnect from the network entirely and print from the SD card directly if you're really concerned.
KwikFab
Well-known member
I have and highly recommend the Bambu A1 Mini. It's as close to "it just works" as you can get in 3d printing and it's on sale right now for $200.
Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer
Fully Automated, Multi-color Printing with AMS lite, Bed-slinger with CoreXY Speed, Bambu Lab latest 3D printer A1 mini makes 3D printing easier and better with cutting edge features and reliable performance.
So, I've stayed away from 3D printing just because I didn't want another hobby.
I do enough CAD for CNC plasma as is lol
I clicked this thread just for kicks, and your comment made me go check out Amazon and yep...I just bought it.
Thanks
kngelv
Well-known member
I have a Bambu X1 Carbon with AMS. Super easy to use and very fast.
James
James
I got one of these some time ago when I was planning on making stuff out of pallets. As usual (for me), I never got around to it, but I did test it. Its sole purpose in life is to push nails out of used wood from the point side of the nail - like hammering the point side to push a nail back out except it does it in one strike. The nose surrounds the nail so it doesn't bend as the pin drives the nail out.
Ha-ha, I've had one of those for several years, Works great, just make sure you know where that nail s headed, it tends to come out pretty fast and hard.I got one of these some time ago when I was planning on making stuff out of pallets. As usual (for me), I never got around to it, but I did test it. Its sole purpose in life is to push nails out of used wood from the point side of the nail - like hammering the point side to push a nail back out except it does it in one strike. The nose surrounds the nail so it doesn't bend as the pin drives the nail out.
Does it leave a dimple in softwood from the pin? When I tested it, it didn't, but I only tested it on a few nails.
As long as you dial your air pressure down a bit you're fine.
Too much air pressure and it will not only dimple, but it can split softwoods.
duneslider
Well-known member
This is exactly why I have resisted for so long, another hobby looking for a problem. I only got one because a friend was unloading some of his at a price I couldn't say no to. Previously, I was living the boat mentality "A friend that owns a boat is cheaper than owning your own boat". So far, having a 3d printer has been fun and I can see the utility of one.So, I've stayed away from 3D printing just because I didn't want another hobby.
I do enough CAD for CNC plasma as is lol
I clicked this thread just for kicks, and your comment made me go check out Amazon and yep...I just bought it.
Thanks
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have one too, but whats the connection to 3d printing?I got one of these some time ago when I was planning on making stuff out of pallets. As usual (for me), I never got around to it, but I did test it. Its sole purpose in life is to push nails out of used wood from the point side of the nail - like hammering the point side to push a nail back out except it does it in one strike. The nose surrounds the nail so it doesn't bend as the pin drives the nail out.
duneslider
Well-known member
Let's also be honest here, I bet the vast majority of stuff printed is out on the web given away for free. I know some people do have proprietary designs they are printing but I bet that is not the majority of stuff actually printed. If the chinese want to steal your 3d printer design files they probably already have.
From what I have seen, most 3d print creators are pretty open with sharing their files with the world. Thus far, it seems like a pretty cool community of creators.
ToolFanGeoff
Well-known member
I have the Bambu P1S. It has been a great tool. Set up was very easy. The printer is fast and relatively easy to use - once you figure out the slicer aspect. Accuracy is nothing short of amazing. I have made 36" diameter rings by snaping (and gluing) together 8 segments. Less than 1/8" deviation in diameter for all around the ring.
KwikFab
Well-known member
This brings up a question - I still think close to 0.125" is a pretty big deviation but is this a machine issue or on the user end (fine tuning print settings) - yes I realize 36" is pretty big but it's still important to ask
I ask knowing absolutely nothing about 3D printing, but have paid people on other forums for parts requiring things to be no more than 0.05" out of spec
I still have some of these parts and they are all about perfect with one another
IndyGarage
Well-known member
They cannot be more reliable than my Ender 3 - it's been 100% reliable since I've had it. Probably 100 prints and no breakage.
Faster - I will give you that. Makes better prints - nope - the quality I saw on the printers, including Bambu, at the store was terrible and doesn't hold a candle to my Ender.
I'm sure they've made strides, but my guess is they are adding unnecessary features that lower the reliability at a quick pace
BWAHAHAHAHA! Wrong thread - I had two threads open at the same time, this one and another about unusual tools. Posted my response on the wrong tab!
ptt49er
Well-known member
I've got an Ender 3 S1 and have worked with several Bambus over the past 2 years.
The S1 was pretty good, quality was alright but having to drag an SD card back and forth and waiting what felt like days for a print kept me from using it.
The enclosure on the X1Cs and the P1S allowed for us to print with different materials, the printers are SOOOO much faster and wirelessly printing is awesome! Sure you can set up something w/ the Enders - but I need something to print parts for my hobbies - not a 3D printer hobby.
If you saw a Bambu that printed worse then an Ender, whoever was running that Bambu was almost incompetent.
I just did some slicing for a member here to compare the speed of print between his Ender and my Bambu H2S....the Bambu was more than an 80% reduction in speed. One part that was pretty tall I could do in 4 hrs and change....The Ender was 34 hrs. Now it's not a fair comparison as the Ender after his upgrades are still sub 500 bucks and the H2S is 1400 or so, but even if I ran it on a P1S the time savings was like 65%
The Ender was early, and they were low price, which was great cause most users spent more time working on them then printing with them. The modern Bambu and Prusa are far more reliable and efficient and allow you to use the printer as a support device for other hobbies, not a hobby in its own(unless you want it to be)
KwikFab
Well-known member
That's one thing I've read in many different groups and forums
"If you want to get into 3D printing, get a Bambu. If you want to get into 3D printers, get an Ender."
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Glad this thread was posted... I was close to ordering an ender.
The current deals on Bambu are good. For the vast majority of users, the A1 with AMS lite is a heck of a machine. PLA and PETG can do a heck of a lot and don't require lots of heat, enclosed machines etc. when you get into ASA, PC, etc that beds need to be 90 degrees(C not F) and chamber temps are elevated as well that's where enclosed is required....but short of that the A1 is a very good machine for most users...
Perfect gateway printer!
Aaron_W
Well-known member
There are tons of youtubers doing 3D printing stuff, but I like this guy. He is older (mid-late 60's?) and stays focused on beginners and people who don't want to get into the weeds designing parts for space craft, they just want to make basic 3D printer stuff. You can tell he is teaching towards younger kids and older people who may be a little tech averse.
Make with Tech
3D printing tech is evolving rapidly so be careful about videos more than a few years old, particularly if they are focused on specific machines.
Make with Tech
3D printing tech is evolving rapidly so be careful about videos more than a few years old, particularly if they are focused on specific machines.
pcrov
Well-known member
I print ASA and ABS on my A1 mini. For an enclosure I just put a cardboard box over it.
Getting the bed up to temp is a little more work as the firmware limits its highest setting to 80°. For that I added a 6.8kΩ resistor on a switch to the temp sensor (it's a 100K NTC thermistor) so it wont read 80° until the bed is more like 105°. Some more info on this modification on reddit:
I think the standard A1's limit might be higher and may not need it.
Also pointed a spare case fan at the mainboard just in case.
I do recommend sticking with PLA, PETG, and TPU as life is just easier that way (and they really do do a heck of a lot), but if you start getting antsy you can absolutely push these further.
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Cruzan80
Well-known member
Not disagreeing with this statement, but Bambu has said they are releasing firmware updates to allow the A1/A1 Mini to use the AMS 2 system (so if you want filament covered or in a semi-dry box).
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
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- Jan 26, 2012
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That hits WAY too close to home. Been fighting with stringing and retraction settings, printing endless test parts on my old Ender 3."If you want to get into 3D printing, get a Bambu. If you want to get into 3D printers, get an Ender."
Order is in for a fullsize A1 combo kit.
Shocker
Well-known member
Yeah, not really. There is a ton of info on this all over the boards. You will not be able to update firmware if you want to print direct.
I am not interested have the CCP linked to a device in my house 24/7.
And before you point out things about all my devices, blah, blah, blah...I have precautions in place. More than you realize, I believe.
pcrov
Well-known member
Do you have any actual info to cite or just vaguely racist fearmongering about ThE ChInEsE!!1!