Reddit mentions of QIDI Technology X-one2 Single Extruder 3D Printer, Metal Frame Structure,Platform Heating

*Edit, finished the long bow and got the power armor mounted.

Battletech Printing Experience:

I printed the orange mechs in that picture in the last three days; Longbow is halfway done, still has most of the supports on. Grey mechas are purchased of course.

ME:

My 3D priter experience is Beginner to Intermediate. I have changed a nozzle, fixed a few clogs and updated firmware twice. I mostly do DnD Monsters and tiles, but I created a very basic version of Alphastrike to play with my son and wife that is based on Heroscape. He wanted more mechs (me too) so thats what we have been doing the last three days after work.

PRINTER:

QiDi X-One2. You can be up and prining in about 15 minutes after opening the box. You just need to snip ties, plug cords in, attach a tube and feed the plastic through. It sounds like a home ink printer (without the clickity clack), and I have it in the living room.

I bought mine from Amazon for $280; it is about the same now.

The biggest limitation with this printer is the bed size, you can print up to 5.5" (139.7mm) by 5.5" by 5.5". So if you want to go big, you need to learn to cut models up.

MATERIALS:

I use PLA plastic by Inland (free shipping to me from the Microcenter website); the cost is $15 for 1 kg and there is 330 meters in a 1kg spool.

Cost per Meter: $15 / 330 Meters = ~$.05 cents

Breakdown on time and Price:

|||Material|Cost|Time|

--|:--|:--|:--|:--|
|||(in meters)|(USD)|(in minutes)|
|Single|Power Armor I|0.13|$0.01|5|
||||||
|Single|Power Armor II|0.15|$0.01|6|
||||||
|Single|Hexbase|0.77|$0.04|7|
||||||
|Light|Urbanmech|0.98|$0.05|120|
|Light|Flea|1.14|$0.06|120|
||||||
|Medium|Uziel|3.6|$0.17|315|
||||||
|Heavy|Rifleman|2.97|$0.14|270|
|Heavy|Archer|2.51|$0.12|240|
||||||
|Assault|Highlander|4.11|$0.20|360|
|Assault|Longbow|4.46|$0.22|360|

##LINKS:

####Printer:
https://www.amazon.com/QIDI-TECHNOLOGY-Extruder-Structure-Platform/dp/B01HZ4HY9I/

####Materials:
https://www.microcenter.com/product/485629/inland-175mm-gray-pla-3d-printer-filament---1kg-spool-(22-lbs)

####Models:
All Mechs are by Syllogy:
https://www.thingiverse.com/Syllogy/designs

Inner Sphere Battle Armor by Wolversine_DH:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3759693

Innersphere Battle Armor by Kiwicolourstudio:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3007787

##PRINTER SETTINGS:
|Name:|Settings:|

--|:--|
|Layer Height .1mm|.1mm|
|Infill Density|30%|
|Printing Temp|200 C|
|Build Plate Temp|60 C|
|Speed|20 mm/s|
|Support:||
|Support Placement|Everywhere|
|Support Overhang Angle|40|
|Support Pattern|Lines|
|Support Density|27%|
|Support Z Distance|.12mm|
|Support X/Y Distance|.7mm|
|Build Plate Adhesion Type|Brim|

Edit: I cut all my models in half at the torso. If you look really close to the upper leg on the Highlander, you can see where I didn't get it exactly right. I'll just take a file to it then it will look good once I paint them grey cause paint fills in the gaps. PM me if you want help cutting models in half, I use Netfabb, but I've been switching to Meshmixer recently.

*Edit: Making it clear I printed the orange mechs, grey mechs are officially purchased ones. Added Printer Settings.

Buy your own! It's a super useful tool to have available whenever you need it. This was my first real printer. https://www.amazon.com/TECHNOLOGY-X-ONE-Printer-Structure-Touchscreen/dp/B01HZ4HY9I/ It's perfect for a beginner.

Looking to get my first 3D printer. I know a lot about 3D printers, have a little experience using them, but have never owned my own. Definitely not an expert.

Budget: < $400

Country: USA

Prebuilt/Kit: Prefer Prebuilt, can do a kit if it doesn't require a ton of work

What: Not sure, want to experiment with somethings, try to make useful, functional prints.

Other: I need something that is enclosed, or that can be easily enclosed (I have a mischievous cat and can't put the printer in a separate room away from her). I have been looking into the QIDI X-One2 ( https://www.amazon.com/QIDI-TECHNOLOGY-New-Generation-Printer/dp/B01HZ4HY9I ), but if there's something better or that has a larger build area, that would be good to know.

I purchased the QIDI Technology X-One 2 in November 2017 and have had no issues. The only issue I had was my fault and it’s because I broke off the printer filament and had to spend time getting the broken piece out. So it was a user error. Here’s a link to the printer on Amazon and I also posted a simple outline and review of the printer here.

Reasonably experienced in the realm of 3D printers (built/own a delta, in charge of makerspace Lulzbot) and have been tasked with determining the best option(s) for a local library. I would personally like to get 2 printers, they don't have to be the same, one with lower build quality/PLA only and the other a nicer one would be great. Ideally <$1000US for both [could go a little over but we need money for filament, etc.]. Would most likely need to purchase online from a reputable dealer/not eBay.

Am more than happy to build one/both from a kit, but one should be a tank and/or as idiot-proof as possible. Would like maintenance to be able to be done by an educated layperson, but major issues could be taken care of by me initially (large community would be a bonus).

Printing will be community members (read: kids with access to Thingiverse) and educational-type stuff, will probably not be constantly printing, but definitely have regular use. The low-frills printer (PLA only) would ideally be for the kids to use, low risk of breaking printer, etc; nicer printer could be used by librarians and knowledgeable patrons for more detailed/complicated prints.

Initially am thinking about the FlashForge Finder and the 8" Pegasus kit; brief look at Pegasus says there are a lot of mods that bring the price up but that are worth it, is there a detailed BOM for those and/or instructions? Am also not against purchasing a Monoprice, but would like to have a BOM/price list for the recommended mods first as well.

If I could get advice on if this is a good choice, that would also be great; librarian just went on Amazon and picked out a few with the best reviews. :P

Thanks!

I have a monoprice select mini v2 and it's ok, but seems to have a lot of inconsistent prints with nylon. PLA works great, but I'm more interested in nylon.

I'm still in the return window and wondering if the qidi x-1 2 is worth getting because it has an enclosed print area which is better for nylon (and abs).

The price difference is $140 and here's the printer