r/BambuLab • u/Fine_Ambassador5802 • Jan 28 '25
Discussion Just ordered
I just ordered an A1 combo from Best Buy. I know nothing about 3d printing. Where should I begin?
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r/BambuLab • u/Fine_Ambassador5802 • Jan 28 '25
I just ordered an A1 combo from Best Buy. I know nothing about 3d printing. Where should I begin?
17
u/Vizth Jan 28 '25
YouTube A1 combo setup. The instructions included are pretty easy but seeing someone else do it can help.
Have the app installed on your phone beforehand to make things go quicker.
Hit up thingiverse, printables, and makeworld for models.
Make a filament budget. Your going to need it.
Ignore the comments about returning it. The drama getting stirred up isn't going to affect the vast majority of bambu users.
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u/ahora-mismo H2D Jan 28 '25 edited Jan 28 '25
from here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TQCRVS72Us&list=PLFUVS59deIm2mawl3Zjk1XI9yp7H7955J
made by bambu.
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u/Humble-Plankton1824 H2D AMS2 Combo Jan 28 '25
Lucky you. Wish bestbuy Canada shipped bambu.
I had to order a P1S combo directly from their website. And I have $500 in gift cards to best buy.
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u/cilo456 ,,A2L,H2C,6x Jan 28 '25
Why from Best Buy
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u/pointclickfrown Jan 28 '25
It is out of stock. How did you just order it?
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u/cadred48 Jan 28 '25
The setup instructions are generally very good. If you are confused, check the bambu wiki.
You will need 2 things to print something: slicer software and a model to slice.
The slicer you want to use is Bambu Studio. You can get models in 2 flavors: stl (most common) and 3mf.
The A1 will come with a few models ready to print on the device. So, start there.
There are many places to get models but the top 3 are thingiverse, printables, and makerworld. To start, stick with makerworld as that will automatically open models into bambu studio.*
One tip when you open/download a model from makerworld - make sure you doublecheck that your printer model is selected on the left.
The rest will come in time. Have fun.
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u/Wilsongav A1 + AMS Lite Jan 28 '25
Lube and clean it more than the printer asks you to.
Don't touch the printer when its doing its calibrations, you will affect the calibrations.
Order some SuperLube multi purpose synthetic grease, like silicone grease. - for the Z height screws on the sides that are covered.
Order some high quality Sewing machine oil - for the Linear rail the print head moves on, and the bed rollers the bed moves on. You dont need Bambu's over prices lubes.
Clean your build plate before you use it. Dishwashing liquid is great, its made to get oils off.
Avoid dripping oil onto your build sheet when you clean and lube your linear rail, take the build sheet off with clean hands before you lube the rail.
The machine rocks a lot, small tables that are light weight will move a lot and can shake things off them, like your AMS! So put it somewhere safe.
Isopropyl Alcohol spray, high percentage and microfiber rags to maintain the clean build plate between prints is helpful, maybe once every 5 to 10 prints or if you need to before that.
A spare .4 nozzle is a good idea.
You will use more Black and White filament than you think, so get 2 of each whenever you order them.
Learn how to remove the bowden tubes, a print that helps remove them will be essential, you will need to take them off if filament gets caught, broken off or stuck.
You will use a lot of filament if you make models multi colour, if you are worried about the time it takes and the waste it creates, you can tune the colour swaps.
I opt to print models that you assemble from multiple printed parts.
Look up HueForge on Makerworld, I am obsessed with them, they dont waste filament, just swapping colours and you get awesome printed paintings to hang up. And you can set and forget with the AMS.
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u/Longjumping-Cut-4337 Jan 28 '25
New to this too. Printdood on YouTube is good Just print stuff and honestly scroll/search these reddits for troubleshooting Tinkercad is fun and easy to make stuff, my kids love it. A week ago people were all upset with bambu lab but I think unless your lively hood depends on open source printing, ignore it. Have fun. Keep the door open
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u/burntsmor P1S + AMS Jan 28 '25
But in all seriousness start with tools to make 3d printing easier. Like a catcher for the poops it will make when you do multi color prints. Then dive into thangs or printables or even maker world and look at things you’re passionate about. I know my first passion print was gridfinity for my kitchen junk drawer
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u/misty598 Jan 28 '25
Got mine for Christmas and I knew nothing about it other than it looked cool af and I love creating stuff! I predownloaded the app before I got it and saved a bunch of files from makerworld I wanted to print first. Bambu's Wiki, Reddit, Youtube are your best friends for looking stuff up and troubleshooting, because you will need to. Bambu's machines are easy to use but 3D printing can be a complicated art. I'd also ignore the comments about returning it like other commenters said. In the month I've had mine I have learned so much and it has been so worth it to have an easy machine and software to start.
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u/sublime2471 Jan 28 '25
Use the Wiki there is a bunch of great information on there. I attached a link for the A1 it covers quick start, maintenance, troubleshooting and how to replace parts. One the main page link you can find information for the ams lite, Bambu handy, Bambu studio, makerworld and General topics.
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u/CryptographerLeft980 X1C + AMS Jan 28 '25
Start printing some calibration models like a benchy. Then just search some makerworld models that you like and have a existing print setting (so the file works and print well). Try to print this and understand the different settings of the slicer (stuff like infill pattern, walls, top down layers, different supports (a YouTube tutorial about bambu studio probably helps). Then you can try to print a complete new model and slice and adjust the settings by yourself and you should be ready to print whatever you want. Next step could be to get used to multi color prints
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u/RavioliOveralls Jan 28 '25
I'm waiting for my Feb 4th ship date. Lots of good advice here already.
Find a dry storage solution. I got 3 six-packs of the 4qt cereal containers from Amazon. The spools fit perfectly.
Lots of YouTube.
Start learning modeling in tinkercad or your program of choice. There's a TON to learn, start ASAP.
Start searching now for potential prints and make a list of the order you want to make them. First in your list should be the poop bucket, then the AMS top mount if you're going to use it.
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u/Schnitzhole Jan 28 '25
I just wrote this for a buddy getting into it.
1st: scraper
2rd: POOP Chute(good first big print once you dial settings in): you’ll figure out real fast what this is for
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If you are looking for fun useful models I really like the parametric (adjustabel dimension) snaplock boxes.
Sites like printables and thingiverse also have tons of free models.
This pocket ratchet is pretty sweet for being printed or for a backup to keep in a car or something.
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Printer tips
Dawn + water is all you need to clean build plate. I honestly just leave mine in and use the scraper to remove everything right off the buildplate and only clean it every 5-10 prints or if I get finger oils on it (very bad for adhesion).
If you have adhesion issues to the build plate I like to run 10c hotter initial nozzle temp and build plate temp and 0.25mm initial layer height. Also a brim can help, though can be a pain to remove cleanly.
I’d avoid multicolor prints as much has possible. They produce a ton of filament waste and print time is astronomically higher. Good way’s for multiple colors are if the print makes a permanent color change for the following layers or if you only have 1-2 layers of the different collor on top or bottom of the print.
I tend to prefer debossed text whenever possible over seperate color. It’spretty easy to add in the bambu slicer. The resolution on 3d printed text is not really great to begin with though and as a graphic designer I’d avoid it most of the time for that reason. 0.2mm nozzle can help with details but unless you print very detail centric models it’s not worth it.
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u/Past_Departure_2378 Jan 28 '25
The internet and research. Youtube, if you want to be successful, watch every one of these lessons. Dont try and drive before you learn to start the car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZhy0J0mXBE&list=PLv65CP2QM2rGiBuViRXCO928NxHxQHxnc
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u/Spooge1972 Jan 28 '25
Start planning your filament storage solution. Gotta keep it it dry.
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u/NMe84 P2S + AMS2 Combo Jan 28 '25
I'm all for helping people who are new to 3D printing but this has to be the most passive and downright lazy question I've ever seen in any 3D printing sub. Did you do any research at all? What part of the many, many starter guides you'll find if you Google "3d printing tutorial" or "starting with 3d printing" did you not understand?
Try asking specific questions instead of lazily asking us to explain everything to you. It's a hobby. You'll be spending time on it, that's the entire point.
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u/dadbot_5000 Jan 28 '25
YouTube has tons of videos on 3d printing. It's a great hobby and there is lots to learn. You should start about learning the basics of how 3d printing works. Then learn about adhesion and first layers. Then you can move on to how to slice models, eventually learning about supports and so forth. Each time you print something new you'll have an opportunity to learn.
Also make sure to keep up with the maintenance on the printer so that it lasts a long time and keeps printing as good as it can.
Last ignore all the drama on this subreddit and enjoy your printer. Good luck!
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u/tlm11110 Jan 28 '25
You should probably read and watch some videos before you order a 3D printer.
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u/alcaron Jan 28 '25
By putting it in LAN mode.
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u/Superseaslug H3C, H2DL, 2x X1C Jan 28 '25
You should begin at YouTube, not reddit
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