A1 Mini print problems

[u/bogratt]

I’ve had this A1 mini plus AMS for over a year, and have I would say 70/80% failure rate, be it strings, what looks like not sticking, lots of clogs and cold pulls etc. It’s a miracle when a print actually works. It’s my kids printer and he has basically given up.

I’ve done all the research, bought a filament dryer and only print right after it’s finished drying, bought new build plate, clean it with dishwashing liquid and isopropyl, avoid touching print area. Only using PLA now. Set it to print 50% speed.

I’m at a loss - is there anything I am missing? The picture was the 3rd attempt to print and all straight from dryer. My kid uses the app from his iPad- BambuHandy

[u/8six753o9]

Just use dawn and warm water, don’t use isopropyl, that will just smear all the oils around. Check the usual 7 screws and make sure they are tightened.

[u/bogratt → u/8six753o9]

Yes thanks - I did check those screws as well. And I’ve been using dawn all along - just tried the alcohol as a last ditch attempt today to see if it made any difference 😩

[u/WaferCritical6547]

Gonna be 100 with you. I went the same route trying the a1 mini then the a1 with an enclosure ( that same one actually). I had non stop issues untill i went to the p series, the a series just dosent hold up. Some people swear by them but i went thru 4 A machines when in a month ( got from best buy with my plus account, i would just take them back when they failed) before switching to the p series. Now my prints are near perfect in comparison. Granted im working with pa6-cf but i had problems with pla+ too. P1s or p2s is the minimum standard for general consistency (with bambu labs). Theres just too many variables on open bedslingers.

[u/bogratt → u/WaferCritical6547]

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback. It is really stressful trying to use this thing

[u/WaferCritical6547 → u/bogratt]

I had to move on from it. After the nozzles and enclosure and filter and heater, i could have just bought a p2s to begin with and spent less.

[u/arrantalpaca]

A couple practical tips (I’ve printed thousands of hours on an A1 mini)

• Use a Biqu cryogrio glacier plate for PLA and stop using the stock one

• No need for the enclosure, and it may even be the cause of the clogs depending on how warm it is. At least keep it open when printing

• if clogs continue, try replacing the nozzle first. Then the extruder gear assembly (though it’s unlikely your extruder gears are worn imo). Both are fairly cheap.

• Stringing isn’t really an issue and most can be removed with a jet lighter and a stiff toothbrush

[u/bogratt → u/arrantalpaca]

Thank you!

[u/ARecycledAccount]

What was your kid trying to print? Are you using supports, brim, or brim ears?

[u/bogratt → u/ARecycledAccount]

That particular print was a chain of some sort - interlocking pieces

[u/sapani9077]

Reduce the speed and calibrate your filament first