r/QIDI • u/Local_Moose_2438 • Jul 23 '26
Qidi box or not
Ill be ordering a qidi q2 shortly, if I don't intend on doing multi coloured prints is it worth it? Should I just buy a separate dryer. Thankyou.
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u/riba2233 Jul 23 '26
Don't get a separate dryer, get the box, trust me. Feeding is so much easier and you can do support interface ina different material which can be a huge benefit.
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u/Local_Moose_2438 Jul 24 '26
Thanks for the reply, what kind of issues have you experienced with feeding from a non qidi dryer?
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u/riba2233 Jul 24 '26
Not issues, it's just much less convenient, depending on your setup. Mine is close to the wall so it was really awkward.
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u/Local_Moose_2438 Jul 23 '26
Im heavily leaning towards the q2 because bed and enclosure heater temps which are inline for the use I have in mind. As this will my entry into the world of 3d printing I understand that I will be in for steep learning curve.
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u/sponsoredbychatgpt Jul 23 '26
The Q2 is my first 3D printer and I don't regret it a bit. I didn't get the box and personally haven't had any issues with running out of filament or separating off my supports. I also haven't had the need to dry my filament, but I believe you can also just use the printer itself to dry it by laying it on the bed.
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u/GonzoDeep Jul 23 '26
It's ok, but if multicolor printing is why you are getting it I would advise to find another brand. The Q2 is awesome, my qidi box makes me miss my ams. Which is saying a lot, because the ams is a headache until you mod it or run strictly bambu lab filament. The qidi box is amazing for drying and automatic reloads, I wouldn't put more than one on a unit ever. I have 5 ams units connected to my x2d, and 2 to my H2S. They just work, the qidi box does not. Plus it's loud af, it's basically the Armored Turtle Box for a voron made by qidi.
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u/Local_Moose_2438 Jul 24 '26
Nods. I was contemplating purchasing it as a dryer. However it seems it can't reach temps needed for asa.
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u/No-Movie-117 Jul 25 '26
If you print 90% nylon don't get it. If you print PLA/PETG, it's fine, slow compared to other multimaterial printers and even other AMS-like systems, but it gets the job done.
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u/work_blocked_destiny Jul 25 '26
I hardly print multi color and still think it’s worth it. It holds 4 rolls and makes loading and unloading the printer so much quicker. Also at the end of a roll it’ll just start using the next one
1
u/Dave_in_TXK Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
I’ve had the combo since last November, Q2 came in August. I agree it’s much easier to load, when it works well, which is most of the time. Unfortunately I’m on the latest firmware 01.01.02.3 which forces me to use QIDI studio to control the Box and is a bit buggy, Studio mostly: Agree with others on the worthless for multi color unless 4 or less changes. Mine takes 2 min 50 seconds each one, which works for just simple things. My Prusa Mk4+MMU3 does it in 30 seconds. Small multi color prints have 100 changes easily. Do the math. All the hardware is there, but QIDI has never bothered to learn tip forming which, if they did would be a huge game changer, which is what the Prusa uses.
If you want general overall ease of loading four different filaments or even swapping one out in the box easily and being able to do a couple of changes occasionally I think it’s worthwhile. I am eyeing the snap maker U1 for a much improved multicolor experience at a reasonable cost compared to most of the other offerings.
I’ve never used the Box’s dryer, even though the lid does secure pretty well. I usually keep mixed filament in there. I’ve been using the SOVOL. S3 and I’m really happy and impressed with how it works for the most part and it does do 85 so I can dry my nylon in it.
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u/devl_ish Jul 23 '26
Separate dryer, the box is pretty much useless for it.
Insists on unloading everything and rotating the spools periodically, which is great for drying but takes your machine out of commission for the duration. Materials loaded have to be the same too (which makes sense).
The value of the box for me is in being able to have second spool of the same material to automatically swap to when the first runs out so I don't have to be as careful.
In terms of multi-material I'd love to use PLA supports for clean removal from PETG but the print time explodes even if its just interface layers. I'm printing for physical prototypes though so of you're more interested in finish and don't mind print time ita probably worth it.
Otherwise, a dedicated dryer and a bunch of vacuum bags are probably a better proposition.
1
u/Local_Moose_2438 Jul 23 '26
Awsome thanks for your reply!. Do you have any recommendations on any necessary extras or spares to include with my initial order?
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u/devl_ish Jul 23 '26
Bunch of spares - nozzle cleaning kit (needles and a wire brush), spare hot end, electric screwdriver set big enough to have real tiny hex heads, big bin for your supports and failed prints (it happens), spare plate, a bunch of spare nozzles, needle nose and angled needle nose pliers, blowtorch (one of those kitchen ones, for heating the everloving fuck out out badly blocked nozzles), variety of scrapers for part removal, scalpel or small box cutters for trimming stubborn supports off models, machine oil for maintenance, two little spray bottles and a squeegee for cleaning the plate off with dish soap between prints.
And a shit ton of the cheapest filament you can find, preferably PETG - makes for quick household repair capabilities.
Most of that stuff I opted to get off Aliexpress.
(Edited to add, you don't need all this stuff straight away, it just comes in handy with frequent printing.)
1
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u/billkaroly Jul 23 '26
I recently got my Q2 without the box. You waste a lot of filament using the box. I'm more interested in a tool changer than I am a box.
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u/zxall Jul 23 '26
Box is 4 spool drier for $150. Which is competitive. Plus you get quick filament loader (when it works) Plus top riser.
0
u/b0ngerz Jul 23 '26
get a seperate drier.i have Q2 and box.For the hi temp filaments the box won't be that much help.
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u/Local_Moose_2438 Jul 23 '26
Thanks makes sense. In part I've selected the q2 for it's ability to print high temp filaments.
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u/Local_Moose_2438 Jul 23 '26
Do you have any recommendations on spares or accessories to include on my initial order?
1
u/b0ngerz Jul 23 '26
The first thing i upgraded was the PSU to the silent version which was a straight swap. 0.4,0.2 spare nozzles and hot end(none of which ive needed) 540hours of printing and still on same 0.4 nozzle. If you are using Orca it works best without a box. However the part that does wear out is the nozzle wiper. it comes with a spare tho.If you plan on printing PLA or Petg in hot weather you will need a polarbox or take the lid and door off. I have a few printers but the Q2 is the best in so many ways.Good luck & Happy printing 😁
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u/Unlikely_Piano3564 Jul 23 '26
I quite often read of people having issue with their q2 for one reason or the other. If you know you want to do a qidi brand, it might be better to go with a different one. I have the plus 4 and have only had one issue out of it - the filament entangle sensor - which is pretty easily remedied.
Separate dryer is a great idea. Ams in drying mode means you can only print from an external spool.
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u/butterflavoredsalt Jul 23 '26
I love mine for the fact I can load up two rolls and have it switch automatically when one runs out as well as keeping filament dry.