3D Printer - help selecting

[Dedayog]

Preface:  Both my stepdaughter and wife have birthdays at the end of tjhis month.  The wife has mentioned 3D printers in the past and the kid is MUCH more creative than I am, and will definitely use it if I get one for the wife.  So... combine their presents into ONE!!!!

 

A couple of my coworkers have Bambu A1 AMS + Sunlu dryer setups.  In looking at the Bambu lineup, I realize with 3 cats and a dog... I need an enclosed unit to make life easier.

This gives me options for the P1S and X1C.  $900 and $1100 when combined with the AMS 2 Pro for combined AMS/Drying.

 

If I have my thinking right as a new-to-3D family... the P1S will be enough, or does the X1C give options that I would maybe want a year after using the P1S for example.  Would it be worth going with the X1C for what reasons?

 

I'm still researching so may be asking something I can answer myself by just being more patient and RTFM

 

Thanks!

[CasualExtremist]

https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Bambu_Lab

 

Depending on your situation you may not care and just want plug-and-play. Do know that they have previously tried to intentionally remove compatibility with 3rd party accessories and will likely try something in the future to extract more money out of those invested in their ecosystem. So, depending on how long-term your goal is, you may want to do further research.

[NinJake]

Another article related to what @CasualExtremist mentioned: check here > https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/bambu-lab-pushes-a-control-system-for-3d-printers-and-boy-did-it-not-go-well/

 

Either way, I'm not into 3d printing at all myself, but my buddy has 3 of their printers and loves them. I think if you go with them you'll be fine, just keep this particular "move" by them in the back of your mind, but from an average joe perspective and as something more for a hobby, you'll be fine.

[jaslion]

I love my prusa that lives in a plastic box :p. Been the most reliable 3d printer ive ever used and so far im on roll 72 of printing and the only fault it has had is the heating cable which I damaged by being stupid and it still kept printing on for 12 more rolls.

 

Truely a set it and forget it printer after the first 2-3 test prints. Ive rarely ever had a fail with it since. Most of the fails were due to bad/waaaaay old filament

[Kilrah]

-> Moved to Hobby Electronics

 

Got an X1C with AMS and perfectly happy with it with a bit more than 1 year / 800 print hours.

 

X1C vs P1S is mostly convenience stuff, so to each their own. 

[Dedayog]

4 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Got an X1C with AMS and perfectly happy with it with a bit more than 1 year / 800 print hours.

 

X1C vs P1S is mostly convenience stuff, so to each their own. 

I was looking at them both with the AMS 2 Pro for drying, and they're within spitting difference.  GUy at work nixes the P1S as not having much over the A1 besides being enclosed, sys to go X1C if going enclosed for a few hundred more.

 

I know next to nothing about them all, but I see the Prusa Mk4S gets good reviews.

 

The Bambu A1 is stellar it seems but I don't like the cobbled together look.  Separate AMS, then add a dryer, etc.  Rather an all in one, but $1100 ain't cheap.

[manikyath]

2 hours ago, Dedayog said:

In looking at the Bambu lineup, I realize with 3 cats and a dog... I need an enclosed unit to make life easier.

i have a completely open prusa in a household with two cats and occasionally two dogs. pet hair is not an issue. one of my cats even likes napping next to said prusa because she is a flawed piece of biology.

 

on that note.. i will forever vocally oppose bambu. they are actively anti-consumer, intent on locking down their printers to a proprietary ecosystem (they could potentially pull the plug on at will) and showering literally every youtuber in sponsorship money to cover up the negative press made about them in an ocean of lightly sponsored videos.

 

on that note.. if you have prusa money, go prusa. there's also enclosures available for them if you insist. apparently the multi material kit is rather clumsy, so take that for what it is.

 

oh.. and depending on the kind of person your family members are.. i bought mine in kit form, the assembly process was fun, the manual is INCREDIBLE, like "better than lego" incredible IMO, and you get to consume a whole bag of haribo during the assembly process.

[CasualExtremist]

1 hour ago, manikyath said:

and you get to consume a whole bag of haribo during the assembly process

^/s they make those desiccants in multi-flavor packs now? sweet!

[Thaldor]

I would also avoid Bambu, not just their anti-consumer wants but also that they aren't that much better at the price point anymore (especially if they lock themselves into the Bambu Studio, their printers are going to start to suck).

Personally, I would also ditch the AMS, only thing it's really good at is turning 1h print into 15h marathon, having a "ready rack" for different colors of PLA (pretty much 90% of printers run on PLA, differences to PETG are so small it doesn't really matter, ABS/ASA is poisonous to print even with enclosure, Bambu Lab TPU is overpriced and AMS doesn't work with other flexibles, PC/PA printing without carbon fiber is finicky and carbon fiber and anything abrasive out of question with AMS and it's plastic gears, also the material costs with more exotic materials), and mostly just using the end of spools without pausing printing.

Then there's the filament drying. Unless you live somewhere where the normal air humidity is above 50%, don't use PETG, PA, TPU or ABS to print, you don't really need to worry about humidity more than have some opaque plastic box with a lid and maybe some MiniGrip (or similar) bags (unless your spools already came in one) to cover your opened spools for long term storage. And even with PETG and TPU, just don't leave spools outside and throw one or two (depending on the size of your plastic box) reusable car dehumidifier bags in and throw them (those that can handle) into microwave for 3 times 5 minutes at max power (800W) every second or third month.

 

If you have the money, go for Prusa Core One. It pretty much will just work and you don't really need to care for anything else than keeping the printing bed clean. Everything the printer needs has guides and as long as you follow them even saving the couple hundreds and getting the printer as a kit is breeze. Only real downsides are that you pretty much need to use Prusa Connect to get everything from it, their webcam implementation sucks ass, and the biggest thing when coming from Klipper side of printing, the Core One requires USB-stick tumor to work (doesn't have internal storage, no SD-card expansion, just FAT32-formatted USB-stick sticking out of it's screen).

 

There really isn't that much differences between CoreXY-based printers (that's pretty much all and every enclosed printers in the consumer space currently). Every one has more or less automated bed leveling, input shapers, support for camera, support for multiplexing filament systems (AMS), WLAN and cloud support, and all that. The real differences are with the support, how easy the printer maintenance is (yup, they need maintenance from changing the nozzle to tightening some screws to lubricating parts), how easy it is to get spare parts, and those kinds of things.

[Dedayog]

3 hours ago, Thaldor said:

I would also avoid Bambu, not just their anti-consumer wants but also that they aren't that much better at the price point anymore (especially if they lock themselves into the Bambu Studio, their printers are going to start to suck).

Personally, I would also ditch the AMS, only thing it's really good at is turning 1h print into 15h marathon, having a "ready rack" for different colors of PLA (pretty much 90% of printers run on PLA, differences to PETG are so small it doesn't really matter, ABS/ASA is poisonous to print even with enclosure, Bambu Lab TPU is overpriced and AMS doesn't work with other flexibles, PC/PA printing without carbon fiber is finicky and carbon fiber and anything abrasive out of question with AMS and it's plastic gears, also the material costs with more exotic materials), and mostly just using the end of spools without pausing printing.

Then there's the filament drying. Unless you live somewhere where the normal air humidity is above 50%, don't use PETG, PA, TPU or ABS to print, you don't really need to worry about humidity more than have some opaque plastic box with a lid and maybe some MiniGrip (or similar) bags (unless your spools already came in one) to cover your opened spools for long term storage. And even with PETG and TPU, just don't leave spools outside and throw one or two (depending on the size of your plastic box) reusable car dehumidifier bags in and throw them (those that can handle) into microwave for 3 times 5 minutes at max power (800W) every second or third month.

 

If you have the money, go for Prusa Core One. It pretty much will just work and you don't really need to care for anything else than keeping the printing bed clean. Everything the printer needs has guides and as long as you follow them even saving the couple hundreds and getting the printer as a kit is breeze. Only real downsides are that you pretty much need to use Prusa Connect to get everything from it, their webcam implementation sucks ass, and the biggest thing when coming from Klipper side of printing, the Core One requires USB-stick tumor to work (doesn't have internal storage, no SD-card expansion, just FAT32-formatted USB-stick sticking out of it's screen).

 

There really isn't that much differences between CoreXY-based printers (that's pretty much all and every enclosed printers in the consumer space currently). Every one has more or less automated bed leveling, input shapers, support for camera, support for multiplexing filament systems (AMS), WLAN and cloud support, and all that. The real differences are with the support, how easy the printer maintenance is (yup, they need maintenance from changing the nozzle to tightening some screws to lubricating parts), how easy it is to get spare parts, and those kinds of things.

That's a lot to process.

 

1 hour turns into 15 hours?  That seems a bit messed up.

 

AMS not working with other materials is something I would definitely research more.  That would not be ideal.

 

I want the AMS/dryer per 2 people at work with A1's, they stand by the fact it makes the prints a little better and tighter.  The major point of it though is so I don't have a jank ass plastic box next to it with spools just hanging out.  I want that all in one setup that is clean and functional and not jury rigged.  I'm 52, I don't do crap like that anymore if I don't have to.

 

I'll look at the Prusa Core One a well.  This whole thing is becoming a rabbit hole I see no end to

 

 

[Kilrah]

7 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

1 hour turns into 15 hours? 

He's referring to complex multi-color prints with dozens of material changes. It's not because you can do them that you must, but... if you must then you can.

 

AMS works just fine with other materials, just not TPU.

I've printed many kgs of PETG too, never an issue here. It's often cheaper than PLA, more heat-resistant and less brittle so many use it as default. I have a (separate) dryer but never really use it.

[Biohazard777]

I'm expecting a major shift in 2026, thanks to the apparent success of the Snapmaker U1.
We will probably be seeing a lot more multi-tool printers out there at reasonable prices (~1000$), and IMO that is the future for multi-color/multi-material printers.
I've postponed my upgrade because of it, and I'd suggest not spending too much on any printer right now...
With that in mind, if you need an enclosed one right now, I'd suggest checking out the Elegoo Centauri Carbon (~300$)

[CasualExtremist]

Stumbled across this video. Fair warning, there is a 99% chance he was sent it for free and/or is sponsored by them. This guy is well know to say "I didn't pay for it, but I sure would pay that price if they hadn't sent it to me". Something I personally dislike.

 

 

[CasualExtremist]

2 minutes ago, CasualExtremist said:

Stumbled across this video. Fair warning, there is a 99% chance he was sent it for free and/or is sponsored by them. This guy is well know to say "I didn't pay for it, but I sure would pay that price if they hadn't sent it to me". Something I personally dislike.

 

Forgot to add, I really did not look that hard into the company. If it is truly a knock-off bambu with the only main difference being cheaper to buy, I'd be all over it. Not currently in the market though so I'll let this be a breadcrumb for your research if you're still weighing options.

[Dedayog]

47 minutes ago, CasualExtremist said:

Forgot to add, I really did not look that hard into the company. If it is truly a knock-off bambu with the only main difference being cheaper to buy, I'd be all over it. Not currently in the market though so I'll let this be a breadcrumb for your research if you're still weighing options.

Appreciate that, and I am currently reading the comments section.

 

He makes some great points, mentions things I find important to me.

 

The comments section basically sums things up:

 

Both are decent printers. It will depend on your budget and what kind of user you are. If you have the patience to make some tweaks to improve your prints, and a lower budget. I would go Elegoo. If you have a higher budget and just want it to work out of the box, go Bambu.

 

That said, I have to keep in mind something I was told once: 

 

"Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, and Valentine's Day are NOT the days to find deals, save money, or be frugal.  Cut costs on your own!  Giving gifts... give as much as they deserve"

 

[Dedayog]

52 minutes ago, CasualExtremist said:

Stumbled across this video. Fair warning, there is a 99% chance he was sent it for free and/or is sponsored by them. This guy is well know to say "I didn't pay for it, but I sure would pay that price if they hadn't sent it to me". Something I personally dislike.

 

 

Also, if I am leaning toward the X1C, I have another issue:

 

1.  The X1C is currrently ON SALE at $1099 from $1674.

2. Microcenter matches this price but only shows a sale of $1099 from $1167.

3. If Bambu's sale ends and ALL prices go back up to $1674... fuck that.

4.  So I am going to buy the X1C this weekend, hold it, and if the price stays $1099... return it to MC on the 18th, buy a new one immediately after for $1099 because they price protect for 30 days... if prices lower for Black Friday, I will be in the window.

 

So I can secure a decent price if things go back up, and still get BF price protection if not.

 

Or so my brain works.

 

 

[CasualExtremist]

6 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

That said, I have to keep in mind something I was told once: 

 

"Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, and Valentine's Day are NOT the days to find deals, save money, or be frugal.  Cut costs on your own!  Giving gifts... give as much as they deserve"

This is not quite so applicable in this instance. As far as I can tell,  you're cutting costs on a name brand. Not really in functionality. I'd feel a little different if the Bambu option wasn't triple the cost. Especially if you want your kids to learn something useful from it, having a cheaper item that needs trouble shooting provides more opportunity to learn to be self-sufficient.

 

In fact, I'll raise you a better quote (don't remember the origin)

"Do not do anything for your child that they could reasonably do themselves. Even if it means sacrificing time and effort for them to learn what you already know. You cannot hold their hand and expect anything other than infantilism well beyond when it is necessary."

[Dedayog]

10 minutes ago, CasualExtremist said:

This is not quite so applicable in this instance. As far as I can tell,  you're cutting costs on a name brand. Not really in functionality. I'd feel a little different if the Bambu option wasn't triple the cost. Especially if you want your kids to learn something useful from it, having a cheaper item that needs trouble shooting provides more opportunity to learn to be self-sufficient.

 

In fact, I'll raise you a better quote (don't remember the origin)

"Do not do anything for your child that they could reasonably do themselves. Even if it means sacrificing time and effort for them to learn what you already know. You cannot hold their hand and expect anything other than infantilism well beyond when it is necessary."

Excellent point, and covered in other areas.

For this will be a wife/daughter present for them both.  I do life in the American South so i can see what you're thinking when i wrote that.

 

In this case, overspending on a little more luxury is an easy decision.

 

I want it to just work, and work without issue while i am at work at their stubbornness doesn't turn into irritation for us all

 

But yes, I 100% agree with you.  If I didn't make what I make... the Elegoo all day.  This is a splurge and a generous gift for the family, really.

[Dedayog]

So to update:

 

Over the last couple weeks I have watched dozens of hours of Youtube videos and read more Reddit than is healthy.  I settled on the X1 Carbon as I mentioned above and saw Microcenter had a bundle with the X1C + AMS 2 pro kit for $1099.  BAsically the same price as the Bambu Labs website.  Cool.  Figured if I couldn't get it at MC< I could just order from Bambu direct as a backup.

 

Fast forward to yesterday. I check stock at MC when I get to work.  Oh shit, Out of Stock for 1 store and dwindling in another (cuz I have 2).  Okay, check Bambu in case.  Combo is out of stock too!  WTF.  I check the H2S, OOS all over.  Is someone starting a farm?!

 

I see my close-by MC has the old AMS bundle with X1C, so I go thre to see if they can use that Printer and just combo it with the new AMS 2 Pro.  Well, no.  That X1C + AMD combo is 1 box, meaning it's 1 product.  Unlike the X1C + AMS 2 Pro being 2 products just sold together at a discount.  If I can't get them to combo me, I was going to grab the P1S + AMS 2 Pro and it bundle for $849, upgrade to hardened later.

 

I talk to the gentlemen there explaining all this, how I have 12 days til her birthday and what I was hoping to accomplish.  The manager for the area pops over and we talk some more, and he says he'll check incoming deliveries for me.  About 15 minutes later he says this:

 

1.  No deliveries are noted, but since it's a dropship ordering setup they don't always get notification right away.

2.  He offers me a "compromise" though:

3.  For $50 more, he can sell me the X1C + AMS combo, the AMS2 Pro, and the AMS 2 Pro upgrade kit. I said, thinking he'll rip the AMS out of that combo and for $50 more he'll include the AMS 2 Pro.   I can handle that, thanks!

4.  No.  He said for $1149, I get the combo PLUS the rest.  Cuz I suck at listening.

 

So, I have an X1C, AMS, AMS 2 Pro, AMS 2 Pro upgrade kit... all for $1149.  Basically getting the AMS for $50, because he wasn't able to separate the combo unit and MC is just really fucking nice people.  I can either use the AMS as well, or Ebay it for $250-300 to offset.

 

So I ended up with an even better deal that I was HOPING for. 

 

Anyway, long story short... I can 8 color print now

 

Thanks all for the feeback and discussion.

[Kilrah]

2 hours ago, Dedayog said:

So I ended up with an even better deal that I was HOPING for. 

Not really... P2S just came out yesterday and wipes out the X1C for way cheaper. maybe you can return your set...

[Dedayog]

6 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Not really... P2S just came out yesterday and wipes out the X1C for way cheaper. maybe you can return your set...

I watched those as well.  The P2S doesn't destroy the X1C, it may replace on the product lineup but it's not (as far as I saw) a much superior product.

 

For my math, if I sell the AMS... I have an X1C + AMS 2 Pro combo for the same price as the P2S + AMS 2 Pro combo will be.  

 

Also, the P2S isn't available yet.  Not according to Bambu's site, and the MC folks mentioned the FCC is holding it up due to Chinese tariff review.  From the rare earth bullshit.

 

I haven't opened it, and won't for 10 more days.  Plus I can return for 30 days with no questions (cuz MC), if something new comes up to convince me the P2S is infact that much better.

[Kilrah]

13 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

the FCC

Ah US, yeah RIP then. Here it's a no brainer, a few improvements even if not necessarily major for some uses but when you add that it's $300ish cheaper it would make little sense to get the X1C. Even at same price, you'd get 4 year newer tech.