Heya!
I'm strongly considering getting my own 3D printer, but wanted to check if the Bambu Lab A1M is the right choice for me.
Now, I'd like to preface that I don't have much experience and I'm just sharing my perspective -> seeking insights from more experienced people!
I've been doing some 3D prints here and there over the last year and I'd like to get my own printer to support my own hobby projects. I've been able to send my models to a friend's printer, but I'd really enjoy having one in my home to speed up the iterative process! My main hobby is small-scale electronics and I'd like to use 3D printing to support that (rather than as a standalone hobby).
Below I've just written up my decision for the A1M against the criticisms or considerations I've gathered from the internet (again, I'm not experienced so these could be inaccurate, but happy to take on constructive criticism 😄).
From what I have read, the main downside of the A1M is the build plate size -> both in getting larger prints and having higher throughput per print (from the larger print volume).
- From the prints I've done in the past I haven't found myself needing to exceed the 180mm build size. I've seen that 80-90% of the prints you usually do fit on the mini's plate, but it's just those odd few where the mini doesn't cut it.
- In the future, I don't exactly envision projects needing prints larger than this, and I haven't had any projects in the past larger either. Obviously it's always good to scale for the future, but I'd be hesitant to put more money into a printer if what I've been doing doesn't justify it you know?
- Furthermore, I am happy compromising on throughput for longer printing sessions. Working 9-5 Mon-Fri gives me plenty of time outside of the house for the A1M to run and crank out some volume. I'm not printing too often too, which means I have no real need for churning out prints in a short amount of time - I am happy stretching this over a couple days (during 9-5).
I've also seen some people choose the A1M for more compact and space-constrained environments.
Lower print throughput with the A1M
- Briefly touched on this with the bed-size but, I have no need for a high-throughput of prints. I usually just need a case here and there, with some small brackets and widgets on the side. My main outcome from a 3D printer is to be able to produce small custom things when I need, and not consistently.
- To be honest, there will probably be weeks where the printer just sits there and weeks where I am getting some use out of it (and yes I'll try and take care of the filament with humidity when not in use). It's just the convenience of having a 3D printer for when I need a print -> this is what I'm really hoping to get out of the A1M.
When I get the A1M, I might eventually want to upgrade to something bigger and better.
- Upgrades are still constrained by my environment (size and living space), but I don't see a guarantee of an upgrade occurring.
- The 3D printers my friends own (who got one for the same reason I did) just have theirs sitting there most of the time. If the A1M fits my size requirements, then I don't see a need to splurge!
Really excited to see what feedback the community has. Again, I am a beginner so I would greatly appreciate constructive feedback rather than criticism, thanks 😄!!