New to 3D printing, what features?

sparkymark75

sparkymark75

sparkymark75

Soldato
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I’m new to 3D printing and currently researching brands and models. I’m also trying to get acquainted with all the terminology and features that some products have or don’t have. This list seems to grow with every review I watch!

Are there any features you would consider must have or nice to have for new users?

For example, is having a spool attachment with drying a necessity or nice to have?

To give you an idea of where I’m at, I started looking at the Bambu A1 but worried about dust and moisture so now considering an enclosed device such as the Bambu P1 or P2, the Anycubi Kobra S1 or the Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro.

Bambu seems to be the Apple of the 3D printing world where it “just works” and kind of keeps you in the walled garden. So I’m not sure on what the others are like with regards community support, templates, etc
 
I started with an A1 mini, then bought an A1. Have since swapped them both out for a pair of P1S and they are great.
The Bambu stuff just works straight out of the box and makes it easy to learn, I have had a few nozzle blockages, etc but it's an easy learning curve.
 
I did think about getting an A1 but my worry is I'll get one and then immediately want an upgrade so I would have been better just getting the better one to start with!
 
I got a Bambu P1S as a first 3d printer along with an AMS. I think it strikes a good cost/performance balance and you dont need more unless you want to print exotic filament or want to do lots of multi-coloured prints. In the case of wanting to do lots of multi-colour then you probably want a printer with more than 1 tool head but it's not necessary, just cuts the wastage significantly.

The P2S is out now as an evolution of the P1S so there might be some second hand deals to be nabbed. (Or just get the P2S :D)
 
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Sin_Chase said:
I got a Bambu P1S as a first 3d printer along with an AMS. I think it strikes a good cost/performance balance and you dont need more unless you want to print exotic filament or want to do lots of multi-coloured prints. In the case of wanting to do lots of multi-colour then you probably want a printer with more than 1 tool head but it's not necessary, just cuts the wastage significantly.

The P2S is out now as an evolution of the P1S so there might be some second hand deals to be nabbed. (Or just get the P2S :D)
Click to expand...

The AMS2 is heated so you can dry filament before printing which seems a good idea if you're considering a multispool printer.

I looked at second hand prices all last week for the A1 mini, A1 and P1S and they are all very similar to brand new prices. The cheapest local P1S to me was £300 so I just bought a new one at £330 + £13 delivery.
 
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If you're not doing any complicated filaments, then the A1 is hard to argue against.... I wouldn't worry about moisture too much, personally I don't dry my PLA+ or do anything crazy, not had any issues.
 
I got a Elegoo Centauri Carbon a couple of months ago and it's been excellent. Being new to the world of 3d printing I wanted something that was easy to use and fully enclosed (I have three cats) and it's not missed a beat. I have had no missprints, no blockages or failed prints and it's simple to use. Right now it's £239.99 in their black Friday type sale. It was £299.99 when I bought mine so a significant saving.
 
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