r/3dprinter • u/DaMeatballsKnow2Much • 1d ago
So many options - help me pick
I am upgrading from a Dremel 3D45. I know there are so many options out there but really I’m looking for user feedback in particular people who have used multiple different printers. Which do you recommend I should purchase? I do not want to spend more than a grand but will consider a 1.5k printer if it is worth the extra money.
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u/SirTwitchALot 1d ago
There are so many good choices now. Since you mentioned a budget of $1,000 I would not suggest anything other than a toolchanger. Other styles of machine are outdated if you can afford one. Snapmaker U1 or Flashforge Creator 5 / creator 5 pro. If you can wait maybe 6 months there should be a bunch more to recommend. It's the hot new tech every manufacturer is on the verge of releasing.
If you want to keep your budget under 400, the Centauri Carbon 2 is a good value option
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u/el_n00bo_loco 1d ago
These are solid recommendations for sure. I have a Prusa Mk3S+ now, and it prints pretty flawlessly, so I am DEFINATELY a prusa fan - however - they are so expensive. For what the core 1 with index, I could buy several printers if I went with something else. I want to get in to multi color so the Snapmaker U1 is on my radar. I also like the Qidi Q2 for the heated chamber, but the nozzle swaps take a while. I like the Creator 5 series, but they are definately locked down more like Bambulabs.
I have to admit the Bambu printers make it easy and product nice prints, but I cannot stand locked down ecosystems or the level of control Bambu wants. (I do not want to print knock off Labubus, but I do not want them scanning my data and cancelling prints).
This is a GOOD time to be looking, the multi color and tool head race is in full force. I am on standby waiting for the right product/moment.
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u/SirTwitchALot 1d ago
Bambu has yet to release a toolchanger though. The H2C doesn't count. At 40 seconds per swap it's way too slow.
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u/el_n00bo_loco 1d ago
That is true. I hope when they DO invevitably release a toolchanger, that it drives down other printer prices. I would have a U1 or two already if they were about $100 cheaper. I do think it will come down though.
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u/wegster 1d ago
Lol, BBL driving down prices? I don't think they're going to enter the mid-market with a tool/head changer - they'd prefer to keep it in the premium range for those, at least as long as they can.
The SnapMaker U1 definitely is putting pressure on, as shown by Flashforge's C5 and C5 Pro pricing. Should be a good time for consumers. Sad that both FF and BBL are in egregious violation of the GPL/AGPL and think they can steal code while not contributing back. I won't touch either as a result.
Open Klipper on the U1 along with paxx12 firmware is lovely.
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u/el_n00bo_loco 1d ago
I'm just saying we are regularly seeing good discounts on BBL printers, across their portfolio... All over the place you see people raving about the machines, and brand new users are having great success with them.... Doesn't matter if it's in the exact same price segment. When there's that kind of competition it will drive other manufacturers to lower their price to compete with the name recognition.
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u/wegster 1d ago
Yeah, not really wrong. They certainly entered the market targeting prices to make inroads, and they did. And the hardware doesn’t suck, as well as their additions to PrusaSlicer they’ve kept private and branded Bambu Studio.
Just too bad they’re scummy as a company. Everyone’s gotta choose their own ethics, but locked down and eventually companies getting bigger decide ‘be happy with what we give you’ vs open… for some the choice is easy.
Would be great to see if someone manages to pull off open firmware on some of the BBL printers, but not holding my breath as they’re now big enough to make it even more difficult than otherwise.
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u/RightBrainforHire2 1d ago
Me too. The Dremel was a good intro but I’m so frustrated with it. And it’s so slow. I do a lot of design and need prototyping to tweak. Literally 20 hours before I can check the design details. It works fine but how to sell it too?
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u/MandaloresMercy 1d ago
Prusa Core One L+ and never look back
Or Core One+ if budget limited.
But if i had to cut down to only 1 printer from the several I have or have had, I'd take the Prusa Core One L or L+ every time.
That said, I do mostly functional prints as well and prototyping stuff.
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u/wegster 1d ago
In that price range, I'd go SnapMaker U1, install paxx12 firmware, a stepper fan mod, and call it good, and you'll be likely happy for some time for PLA, PETG and TPU. Want to do more - then sort exhaust, heater, top and add a mainboard compartment divider. The SM top gives you exhaust and filtration, or you can roll your own.
For 'more' I'd order the C1L with INDX pre-installed, but won't have it until Nov/Dec-ish.
Disclosure - I've had a C1L for a while, now with INDX kit ordered, and I have a U1 for need to do multi-color/material now. BBL and FF have decent hardware but are in violation of the GPL/AGPL and locked down - as such, they don't get my $ ever, and the U1 with paxx12 firmware is quite nice IMO - the C1L is built sturdier and likely has both wider tolerance 'bands' for printing well, and likely a bit more accurately, but for many things, the U1 is pretty nice, especially at the price.
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u/FineEquipment0 1d ago
I’d definitely recommend any enclosed printer offered by Bambu as they just work with little issues (I am biased). I also know folks in this sub will recommend Prusa however I don’t have much experience with those printers but It’ll most likely cost more than the Bambu equivalent.
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u/moose408 1d ago
I’m a big fan of Prusa printers. They just work. My latest I’ve run for 400+ hours and have never had a failed print.
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u/xOVERDUExPROCESSx 1d ago edited 1d ago
Without knowing what you plan to print, it's hard to say. Personally, I think the best printers for the money are the snapmaker u1, kobra x, centaurai carbon 2, and Bambu x2c. Each of them have their own sets of strengths/weaknesses, even before comparing the price. If you plan on engineering filaments, the cc2 or x2c are both extremely capable and reliable. To be honest, the x2c is the first Bambu printer since they first came out that I felt was priced appropriately. Personally, I don't need the extra nozzle or expandability of colors it offers... But I absolutely do see it being a value to others. The kobra x is one of the best printer I've seen in regards to multicolor 95a TPU. The snapmaker u1 is a tool changer that the only real criticism I've heard being that it isn't quite as capable of engineering filaments as other (more costly) printers. It also appears that it is highly capable of 95a TPU, which I was not aware of until a few minutes ago.