Edit: wow I’m overwhelmed by all the help I received in this thread, I was gonna reply to everyone but it’s gotten to a lot. You’ve all given me a lot to think about, thank you so much.

Hello there, hope everyone is doing well. I could use a bit of help/wisdom choosing my first FDM machine.

I get it, the technology has advanced a lot and I’m so lucky to be getting into this when I am, spoiled for choice with great options which is kind of the problem.

Realistically, my main goal is building functional, engineering style parts for my work as a cinematographer, think things like custom viewfinders, cable ties, precision rollers, and general parts and accessories for my rigs.

I do have a kid and family home too so I’ll definitely want some toys for him and knick-knacks for the house but that’s secondary.

So I know I need an enclosed core-XY with high temp hardened steel nozzles/heated bed for these special abrasive engineering materials.

I don’t want 3D printing itself to be my hobby, but I definitely know how to tinker, I’m also not half bad with CAD/3D modelling.

Folks recommend Bambu but I’m also conscious of much cheaper options available that would do what I need.

I think I’m almost settled on the elegoo Centauri Carbon, but I’m worried about regretting not having multi-color right away (they’re supposedly bringing an AMS style add-on but it’s not there yet), and even when it does, it’ll have the massive waste issue all these systems have.

So then there’s the brand new options that are just coming out like the Snap maker U1 which sounds amazing but I dunno about getting something so new and apparently they don’t have great track record.

Also looked at creality, flash forge, Audi Q2… It seems I discover a new brand/option every day even after a month of research, lmao.

So, what are your opinions? What would you get as someone in my situation? I’d rather not spend too much on the printer (hence not listing Prusa) but I also don’t want buyer’s remorse and wanting to upgrade in a few months, ideally I get a work-horse that’ll serve me for years to come right away and skip the upgrade paths…

Thanks in advance for your thoughts 🙏

  • sbird@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Qidi and Creality both make good quality enclosed printers.

    I have the Bambu A1 myself (not enclosed, but they do have the P1S which is), but I would not recommend any Bambu printers in hindsight as they are locking down their ecosystem and blocking third party software, like OrcaSlicer and I think OctoPrint too. I have my A1 set to LAN only, perpetually on firmware v4.0.0 and use Tailscale to access it remotely.

    • sbird@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Creality has the K2 Plus which is enclosed, has its own AMS-like system (no idea how good it is though, never used it before), and is also larger than Bambu’s P1S and X1C.

      Qidi has their Q2 and Plus 4, the former being newer and the latter being larger. I haven’t used any of Qidi’s printers, but I’ve heard lots of good things about them.