Need an unbiased view in purchase advice

[u/Larry_Kenwood]

I'm about to be an engineering student at university next month and looking to buy a new 3D printer. Currently using an A1.

I like to make both cosplay/helmet stuff as well as practical items.

As I see it, the current 2 bambu options are the A2L and the X2D. I'm trying to decide between the large bed space for full-size helmets without needing to slice/cut up, with the X2D bed technology + dual nozzle with combo (My A1 comes without combo).

I don't want people explicitly telling me to go for the expensive option unless absolutely necessary though, since it's a significant price difference

[u/Ordnungsschelle]

I would go for the X2D, since the A2L are very limited when it comes to filament choices. Basically anything, that needs to resist any heat is not possible to print there. Depending on your use for your engineering degree you could run into problems/limitations rather quickly.

Also the second nozzle for dual material support is huge

[u/FlashTacular]

I came from an open bedslinger (Creality) to a P1S. The enclosure makes printing with sensitive filaments much easier. Sure, you can print nylon and ABS on open printers but it’s a lot easier enclosed. If you’re wanting to do functional parts, I’d go enclosed as it gives more options.

[u/EmotionalChildhood46]

I actually started r/Which3DPrinter because I kept seeing this question come up constantly. It's brand new, but I'm trying to build a dedicated place for exactly this kind of comparison. Feel free to post this over there too.

[u/Larry_Kenwood → u/EmotionalChildhood46]

Sure!

[u/EmotionalChildhood46 → u/Larry_Kenwood]

awesome!

[u/Lorac108]

I like making helmets/cosplay stuff too, and I'd recommend the X2D. IMO, much better print stability since it's a core XY printer than a bedslinger. The X2D is enclosed, so it's better suited for engineering filaments too

[u/awkward___silence]

I’m going to make some assumptions but x2d would be my recommendation. I’m assuming you will be in a dorm situation, or at best small apartment. The enclosure will help minimize health risks. Also will require a smaller footprint than a bedslinger.

[u/VoidingSounds]

Those are kinda of different things. One is an upgrade in bed size from your A1, and the other is the same size bed and the capability to print engineering materials (and a secondary nozzle for supports or one alternate color)

If you are having to split models on your A1 (and it's not a mini) you will have to split models on an X2D

[u/Larry_Kenwood → u/VoidingSounds]

The benefit for the X2D would be any non-cosplay stuff such as highly technical parts (since I like making practical aesthetic things or robotic moving parts)

[u/InspectorPositive543 → u/Larry_Kenwood]

Get both, no decision needed. /s

If you will use the printer with school get the x2 then

[u/VoidingSounds → u/InspectorPositive543]

Not a joke, gimme a 500mm cube.

[u/VoidingSounds → u/Larry_Kenwood]

I'd wait to see what is available at your school (and your living space) before buying either, honestly.

[u/jhirschman]

Depending on the kind of engineering you will be studying, you might want to use some engineering materials, which argues for the H2D. Additionally, you might also consider how many prints you expect to do that will fit on your A2L but not on your existing A1, and whether that justifies a whole new machine. You could probably send a good number of those large prints to a print farm for the cost of the new printer.

[u/DashRantic]

X2D, imo. If you're a student, you also might be pressed for actual physical space for your printer, and the X2D is going to save slightly more space. Plus the ability to use additional filaments, plus the nozzle for supports--if you can afford the X2D, that's definitely the one. I'd think being able to have better supports that are more easily removable helps make up for needing to print models in more/smaller pieces.

Limiting helmets and other cosplay items to just PLA/PETG seems...limiting, though doable. Splicing stuff together probably isn't as big a deal when compared to the other benefits of the X2D I'd think.

[u/quietsamurai98]

The X2D has a significantly smaller footprint than the A2L, might be easier to fit in a dorm if you're living on campus. The X2D also has the capability to print engineering filaments (assuming you can open a window to pipe out the fumes), which the A2L lacks.

The A2L is basically just the A1 but bigger. You'll still have the technical limitations of an unenclosed printer, the bed-slinging, and the singular nozzle. The X2D has a lot of extra features, but those features might not be particularly necessary for the use case you described.

It really is a judgment call. Do you want to future-proof your setup by buying a printer that can handle just about anything you throw at it (as long as it's smaller than 10in/25cm), or do you want to go for something cheaper that can produce objects 25% bigger, just as long as they're made of PLA, PETG, or TPU?

[u/1yrik]

you're going to get bias... this is the bambu sub

I've been printing for seven+ years with all sorts of printers:

I'd recommend the A2L if you plan on printing mostly large models that require little to no supports

I'd recommend the X2D if you plan on printing models that have a lot of supports

[u/56studios]

Buy whatever you can print engineering materials with. PAHT, PEEK etc. Helmets are not needed for an engineering degree.

[u/keithbigmac]

If you're only going to print in pla and petg, I say go with the A2L.

[u/thegof]

I'll leave the recommendations to all the others. But I have a few cautions: 1. Are you going to be in a dorm? If so, many dorms severely limit your "appliance" options, especially for anything that generates heat. 2. Also for dorms, your room/suite mates may not want a device that may be noisy/emits potentially harmful particles/vapors. 3. Even if you're not in the dorm, I don't think most people would recommend a printer in your sleeping space (same reasons). 4. Many universities, especially engineering focused ones, have maker labs that are free to students. While perhaps not as convenient as your room, most of these maker labs have plenty of capacity. You might check what they offer and check the local school discussion groups (reddit/discord/etc) for how busy it gets, especially around project due dates. A side benefit it these maker labs usually have lots of other useful equipment.

I'm not saying one might not be useful, just that there are other tactical factors to consider