this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2023
15 points (100.0% liked)

3DPrinting

15629 readers
340 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: [email protected] or [email protected]

There are CAD communities available at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Hi all! I would like to join the group of 3D printer owners but I don't have any experience. I don't want to buy a cheap printer just to find myself buying a better one in a few months so I set my price in the middle segment (I think).

I am going to set it up in my office which has AC but direct sun light for some hours a day. Is a full case recommended?

What printer can you recommend for me and what software (windows) can I use to design and print some parts?

If you need any more info please let me know.

Kind regards in anvance

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I like the X1 as a printer. But BambuLabs is not a company I'd want to support.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm considering getting one for my next printer. What's wrong with them as a company? I'm out of the loop.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'll just list some I remember

Their slicer has a fork called orca which included some nice extra features and calibration tools which work for all machines not just the Bambu ones. In the latest update of their slicer they just copied all the code from the fork but never mentioned the person that did all the work until they were publicly called out on it. Which seems to be a recurring theme.

Also many functions of the printer are locked behind it being always connected to the cloud which has been proven to have multiple vulnerabilities. One of the most annoying is sending files over to the machine over wifi is linked to the printer having acces to the Bambu labs servers which have been experiencing some downtime lately. Meaning a lot of functions of the printer are only there as long as Bambu labs exists.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The X1C has the ability to run in local mode so that their servers are not required.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, but still need to download their app to set it up and the progress updates trough the app also don't work without the cloud, even when on the same network. Also no webcam, because that needs to be routed trough Chinese servers to guarantee optimal Image quality and latency.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think the main issue with them is that everything is proprietary on the machines meaning little aftermarket support or user mods. Traditionally, most printers up til now have used generic parts that anyone can buy from 100's of different retailers.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Oh god lol I can't imagine having a part need replacing on the fly and not being able to find a replacement at Micro Center. Big yikes lol.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They do sell all of the components online though and at good prices. It's not hard to get replacement parts. I've even seen Voron and ratrig people making mods to use bambulabs spare parts in their custom machines because they are way more affordable than comperable high performance parts from other sources.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

There are also clone parts now. Which atleast should serve the purpose of being available when Bambulabs doesn't have stock/stops selling them.

I've been eyeing the hotend clones without the integrated nozzle as a nice lightweight option for a build that doesn't require a that high flow hotend.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Haha just be grateful you live within driving distance of a Microcenter. I think I'd need to take a couple hour plane ride to be within driving distance of our closest store.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Haha true that. I moved into my current place about a year and a half ago, and then decided to buy a 4080 a few months in. Imagine the delight on my face when I realized there was a Micro Center less than a mile away! I go there all the time for 3D printing stuff these days.