Best products from r/3dprinter

> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

• How long have you had your Flashforge, and how much have you printed on it?
  
  I purchased it last August. (781 hours logged) It's almost litterly been printing out of the box since day one. The only issue I had out of the box is that the one screw on the build plate got bent as a result of the 2 free spools bouncing into it. I ordered a box of them from McMaster and had it fixed by the end of the week. I contacted Lisa on their google chat form and from what I understand, they now come with the screw as a result of my support ticket. This was an annoyance yes, but I've had more issues with my reprap and that costed me more than this pritner when I bought it. (I originally had a Makergear Prusa)
  
  
• What do you like the most and the least about this printer?
  
  Most: I love the fact that it prints 100% of the times I try to print something. I rarely, and I mean RARELY have a failed print. I love that I can hit print before I go to bed and wake up to a completed part in the morning.
  
  Least: This is small, and it took a while but I have since out grown the build platform (9x6x6 inches). I recently ordred an 8x12 plate from McMaster and that arrives on monday and we'll see how that works. (PSA this requires removing one of the extruders - if you want more info on this let me know)
  
  
• Have you printed with ABS?
  
  Yes, no issues. Just close up the printer with the included panels.
  
  
• If so, did you experience any problems such as curling?
  
  No, I use a glass build plate and a thin coat of purple glue stick. I then spritz water on the plate before each print. I never have a sticking issue and I never have warpage. I personally prefer PLA though since Hatchbox has come to light and makes GREAT PLA
  
  
• Have you had any problems with the metal bed warping or with leveling the bed?
  
  Like I said just above, I use a glass build plate, so I haven't had any warpage issues with the bp. Leveling the bed is a bit of a challenge but I'm fussy about it and I want it within 0.0005 or less so it takes me a while. The reason I'm fussy is because I've only had to level the bed 2 or 3 times since owning it.
  
  The first was when I got it
  
  The second was when I added the glass build plate
  
  The third was when I removed one extruder and added an aluminum carriage.
  
  That's it. It never lost it's level and it's gone through 3 moves (like I moved apartment to apartment)
  
  
• Finally, how is the customer service or community support for this printer? Thanks again!
  
  The only experience I had was with that screw initially. I contacted Lisa on their Google Chat forum and she handled it mostly. Sadly, it wasn't as 'perfect' as I wanted since their solution was to send the printer back instead of sending me a new screw. Never the less, they did try to help on the matter and told me how I could go about getting money for the screw if I so desired. In the long run, it's a screw and I just ordered them from McMaster. I have zero regrets from it and I think I know my printer a bit beter because of it.
  
  single extruder carriage (PSA: their single extruder block is not FF compatible.
  
  My Thingiverse for example prints
  
  Some things I would buy shortly after getting the printer:
  
  Spare Extruder fan : I tend to slip and put a screw drive in the path of this, shattering the blades. If you're a clutz like me, get it. I've needed 4 so far. ::hangs head in shame::
  
  Glass Build Plate : Best purchase I've made for my FF. Works great, easy to install and use. Also get thermal sheets and purple elmers glue, and print the spacer found on my Thingiverse page under "Flashforge Upgrades". Also get a spatula, and dikes
  
  Simplify3D : A lot people tend to spend $X,XXX on a printer and then try to use free software with it and complain when it doesn't print right. To me that's like buying a car without tires. A Corvette ain't shit without a decent set of tires. It's kind of pricy compared to free, I know, but at real CAM programs (which is what this basically is) cost $8,000 or more. It truely is a great printer program and I wish I had purchased it much MUCH sooner than I had.
  
  Last and most importantly, get the an active cooling fan. I originally printed this, and purchased a 12v power supply and added some fans to it. I have since moved on to the offical one from FF. It's not as good but I haven't really ran into an issue. If I had to print from my right extruder, it would be an issue though. What I liked about it, is that it's a plug and play added on. No "modifications" needed to added.
  
  TL;DR / Closing thoughts: I would buy this printer again in a heartbeat. ESPECIALLY if they came out with one similar to the Replicator 2 with the 11.9" build plate. Instead it looks like they went a different way judging by CES but oh well, there's always next year. Further more, I think this is a great entry level printer for someone looking to have a printer help with projects and not be one of them. That doesn't mean you can't mod it or upgrade or whatever, it just means you don't have to if you don't want to.
  
  
  Hope this helps and answers any questions you might have. Feel free to ask more though!
  

I agree I wasn’t to impressed with that orange that was shipped with the machine the quality of the material was just bad and never printed well. Oddly enough that seems to be the popular color when I do token gifts for the different holidays like Easter and such. I should order a wider range of colors as I always get asked if you have x color and I don’t.

As for storage I just went into Walmart and bought a simple food vacuum sealer and will just do a run when I have multiple spools open. I never thought of a ziplock bag I would assume if you could get it airtight it should work but even short term I would think it would work. Those storage bins I agree takes up way to much room so I never thought of them.

Now air quality has always been a question many ask and as far as PLA the general consensus is that it’s safe and should be non toxic. Now ABS that is a different thing that is toxic and depending on the brand just smells awful so that is something you need to vent the room. Some people will install air filters on their enclosures when they print that stuff. As far as all the other materials types I am not sure. I got a spool of carbon fiber and PETG but have yet to print with it. The wood pla I did print with had a little smell to it but I think was more from the sawdust than anything else. This glow in the dark dark material I’m trying out this week seems fine as well as far as I can tell. Guess it all depends on what chemical they use to make this stuff.

Let’s see for materials I got right now I have a roll of glow in the dark, carbon fiber, wood pla, pc-max white , black petg, and for pla I got black (multiple), white (multiple), red, blue, silver, gold, transparent neon yellow, and then a couple spools of abs I got free that will most likely never be used. Well I got that orange to but I basically don’t talk about it as I just hate the quality it prints at so it’s most likely just going to be be tossed at some point.

As far as what I print it’s basically what ever I find that I think would be fun to print with. Sort of similar with my color choices. I try and do something fun for the holidays as token gifts and they generally are a hit. Once I get enough time to learn fusion360 I do plan to create my own models just never feels like I got the time to.


So figured I list some things I bought/printed to use with my printer.

Thingiverse.com/thing:647425

• this is a set of stackable storage bins. I scaled them up going almost the full build plate on the length and width and just upped the height a little. I found these useful for multiple part prints as I can throw the pieces in them and keep them all in one place.
  
  Flesh cutters
  
• this it just handy if you need to trim a brim off a print
  
  Hobby knife
  
• this is a similar purpose as the flesh cutters just for when I need to trim something off a model
  
  Needle nose pliers
  
• just overall handy to have on hand
  
  Dremel
  
• this isn’t used much but I found it handy a couple times if I need to sand/cut a large piece off a print.
  
  Bob Smith Industries BSI-157H Maxi Cure/Insta-Set Glue. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0166FFCHS?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
  
• this is just awesome to have when you want to glue parts together. It sets in seconds and it’s a strong bond.
  
  91% isopropyl alcohol
  
• this is handy for wiping off your bed before a print or just when ever you are having surface problems. I was using cotton swabs like you would use to remove makeup but lately I been using microfiber cloths and they work just as good.
  
  Stainless steel ruler
  
• I picked up a 12” one that has mm on it and just handy to have
  
  Blue painters tape
  
• this has come in handy for the times when prints don’t want to stick and for when I paint the prints
  
  Adjustable wrench
  
• this is great when you need to change nozzles on the printer as you can use it to hold the heat sink
  
  Socket set
  
• this is also for changing the nozzle just easier to prevent yourself from being burned just don’t over tighten the nozzle
  
  Digital caliper
  
• if you are going to make your own models this is just a must.
  
  Small file
  
• I bought a set of small files so I can sand off burs or other defects on overhangs and bridges. This is the set I bought but just what I thought would work.
  
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRCZKIX?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
  
  Head lamp and small flashlight
  
• I don’t use these very often but I sometimes use the flashlight for seeing the first layer better and the head lamp is just handy when working on the printer so you have that extra light but not having to hold a flashlight.
  
  Can of compressed air
  
• just handy for removing dust or other material from the fans
  
  As for painting I bought a airbrush and such I don’t paint very often but maybe more in the future so I just have some basic stuff you buy with that. Sand paper in different grits, small paint brushes, paints, primer and so forth.
  
  Oh and never use acetone on your print bed it just dissolves the bed surface they use with there printer and destroys it.
  
  For oil I just been using a drop every now and then of some all purpose machine oil that I bought for the sowing machine and it’s worked fine. Little goes a long ways just cover your build plate before applying to keep any from dripping down. As for grease I don’t know I never used any and not sure what to suggest.
  
  But that’s basically what I got around my printer outside of the set of tools that came with the printer. It’s all stuff that at one point in time I found useful. Well that and a small trash can for all the scrap material from prints.
  At some point I want to design my own desktop organizer I know people got designs for them but I just want something personal.

I'd say Amazon. They're all from China in the end/beginning, but Amazon is pregnant the best.

This seems to be the best reviewed at a good price https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07BR3F9N6

Idk about $180, but you can definitely save a bit of money if you order it from the warehouse in China. It just takes longer to arrive, and I personally feel more comfortable dealing with Amazon, as compared to eBay or Alibaba.

OP, here are a few purchasing option links. Also, I would go with the glass bed option if I were you. The eBay link has the option to choose "Ender 3 + Glass Bed" at what looks like no extra cost. Otherwise, you can buy the glass bed separately for less than $20.

eBay Creality Warehouse store ($205): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Creality-Ender-3-Ender-3-Pro-3D-Printer-220X220X250mm-DC-24V-1-75mm-PLA/223496146513?hash=item3409688e51:m:mCXoexVEaY-yqetXfGJ-tyg

Alibaba Creality Warehouse store ($200): https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Official-Creality-3D-Ender-3-Ender_62047106886.html?spm=a2793.11769229.0.0.49733e5fSDdLkY

Amazon.com ($230): https://www.amazon.com/Comgrow-Creality-Ender-Aluminum-220x220x250mm/dp/B07BR3F9N6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=ender+3&qid=1571603563&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVko5TVZIMU5VVzRKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTk4NDkzMkxIQ1ZQRDVRSE1NJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMjc0MDlFWEc2V1BKT0ZGWjkmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Ender 3 Glass Bed ($17): https://www.amazon.com/Creality-Ender-Glass-Upgraded-235x235x4mm/dp/B07RD6D2ZQ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?keywords=ender+3+glass+bed&qid=1571603812&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRjhOSlg2T0ZVRDNLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDY4MzE3MkJJV1ozNk5VSENKUCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjY0MzIwWUhHWFJSU0U0V1NBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Hello all,

I'm trying to solve a persistent clicking / extrusion / constant print failure problem with my Qidi X-One 2.

I own a Qidi X-One 2, and for the last few weeks I am experiencing a clicking, extrusion problem that I cannot seem to fix. The filament twists and turns coming out of nozzle.

I changed the nozzle and tube a few weeks back, and printed ok for a few prints, but now the same problems are back. I only use PLA.

I recently placed this order through Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MVIYNFW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used the cleaning filament last night, following the instructions on the package. I ran about one to two feet. I tried cold pull but the filament broke both times and did not pull all the material from the nozzle.

I ran some more cleaning filament, and then switched to my Solutech white PLA. I started to run the PLA to flush out the cleaning filament, and as this happened, clicking is back, and the filament twists and turns coming out of the nozzle.

Its like it did nothing!

I have also ordered some needles for nozzle cleaning, but these haven't arrived yet. I have also ordered some more nozzles and tubes, and will exchange for new ones when they arrive. But ultimately I would like to prevent the problem from happening in the first please.

Please let me know what else to try. Any help is greatly appreciated as I am fairly new to 3d printing.

Thank you!

Everybody is recommending the Ender 3, and I'd put my vote behind that, as well. You really can't go wrong with that one. It prints decently out of the box, and the sky is the limit with regards to how you can upgrade/modify it. In fact, you can hack it up to run dual extruders if you get an SKR (or other 3rd party) motherboard for it!

People have varying opinions on whether or not the Pro model is worth it. My opinion is that it's not-- get a regular Ender 3, and the money you would have spent on the Pro, put that towards either an EZABL or BLTouch and an aluminum extruder.

A lot of people swear by glass beds. I have the Creality official borosilicate glass bed, but I have a sheet of PEI stuck to the smooth side of it, and it is great. I'm contemplating upgrading to the Hieha Polypropylene build surface, though. I have it on my Hieha SX-4, and it works brilliantly. Plus, it's only $20!

How about a nice Stratasys? Oops for $300 better go with a select mini V2:
https://www.monoprice.com/mobile/product/details/21711?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrYbIBRCgnY-OluOk89EBEiQAZER58kwSc1xq_iea4n4yOLLp71sCvbZa_SZPft3H5Kh7TTAaAixI8P8HAQ

Or maker select, which is slightly over budget, but based on the i3 platform and probably something that you can grow with.
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-13860-Maker-Select-Printer/dp/B018GZBC3Y

Both are great printers and will give optimal quality for the price.

ANYCUBIC Mega-S New Upgrade 3D Printer with Extruder and Suspended Filament Rack + Free 1kg PLA Filament, Works with TPU/PLA/ABS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9QGP7S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_o8mRDbXKG2KPK

This is $40 off the $300 price tag right now and it’s amazing.
The base for it locks your prints down better than anything I’ve ever used and the prints it does are basically push button, walk away. I’m in love with mine.

From my brief research https://smile.amazon.com/Monoprice-Select-Printer-Heated-Filament/dp/B01FL49VZE?sa-no-redirect=1 seems like a very good first 3D printer. But that's way under your budget. So I'm sure for your budget there are hundreds of better ones out there.

I picked up a monoprice select mini a few weeks ago and have been consistently impressed with the print quality on DnD miniatures.

It's cheap (300 CAD for me), it'll print a huge range of filaments, and you don't have the hassle of handling SLA resin.
Edit: fixed link https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Select-Printer-Heated-Filament/dp/B07515FG7P?th=1&psc=1

There's a fairly active modding community too, and plenty you can do to improve print quality over stock (none of which I've even felt the need for yet)

There seem to be many of the same model psu sold by different companies, so here’s the cheapest (by 1$). I don’t believe the holes line up with the original holes but the printer’s acrylic is easy to drill through. Pid tuning requires a serial connection to your printer where you can manually send gcode and monitor the output but other than that the printer does the hard work for you. Then you just plug the values into your firmware.

Psu on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/MENZO-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Computer/dp/B06VWV5YCH/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=277GRU9M1B8LE&keywords=360w+12v+power+supply&qid=1555712246&s=gateway&sprefix=360w+12v+&sr=8-4

Pid tuning guide: https://reprap.org/wiki/PID_Tuning

I wish I could of helped you with your printer as I have the Jr and was able to fix my problems without extensive repairs. It works much better than before and I use other brand filaments. Of course being able to do that depends on the firmware version of the JR.

As far as recommendations I'd look at Monoprice printers:
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Maker-Select-Plus-Printer/dp/B01JBEF3T8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1486692459&sr=8-3&keywords=monoprice+3d+printer

or

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Select-Printer-Heated-Filament/dp/B01FL49VZE/ref=sr_1_3?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1486692450&sr=1-3&keywords=3d+printer

Anycubic I3 Mega is a bit cheaper than that.. Its one of the ones I use.
<$300 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/ANYCUBIC-Mega-S-Extruder-Suspended-Filament/dp/B07J9QGP7S/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=anycubic+mega&qid=1568823814&sr=8-3

Monoprice 13860 Maker Select 3d Printer V2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018GZBC3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_oVLkybMZSNHRH