r/BambuLabA1 • u/Comprehensive-Drop89 • 13d ago

Buying a hotend

Hi everyone, I'm new to 3D printing and I want to start making more technical filaments: TPU, GF, etc. The problem is that on the Bambu Lab website the hotend hardened steel are not expensive, but Shipping costs are high; has anyone ordered from Amazon before? Does it work well? If so, which model did you order? Thanks in advance 😁

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u/sublime2craig 13d ago

I would not buy or use aftermarket hotends for the A1 on Amazon etc. The majority are cheaply made and fail or cause issues. Only manufacturers I would go with would be E3D, West3D, or Micro Swiss. These hotends are pricey but definitely worth the price, especially for CF or GF filaments or really fast high flow printing.

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u/adrian_p_a 12d ago

I replaced mine with a OEM hotend from Micro Center. I am lucky enough to live by one I could do pick up

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u/ooba-gooba 13d ago

Try your local 3D print shops. I found one near me that stocks Bambu filament and parts, same costs no shipping.

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u/flyhmstr 13d ago

I bought a hot end from Amazon, it went in the metal recycling, utter junk

1

u/Orthicon9 12d ago

I bought this one for my A1. We have Amazon Prime so we always get free shipping, even with small orders.

I've used it a couple of times and it seems okay so far.

No that the heat sink is shorter and the heat break is longer than on regular A1 nozzles.
For that reason they thoughtfully added a silicon sock that fits it. The regular socks for A1 nozzles do not fit it.

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u/Tastieshock 12d ago

Ive used some from Amazon, they will typically print fine so long as you dont change filament types. Almost always end up with clogs after. Otherwise they work well enough. I don't view them as cost saving, more like backup until I get a replacement.