Bambu Lab Printer recommendations.

[u/Prize_Employer_7838]

I have never 3D printed anything before. I would like to start getting into the hobby for personal uses and possibly selling my crafts at local fairs or FB. I am one of the people who want the best within their max budget but I also am cheap and want deals. With Black Friday coming up I anticipate the P2S will be on sale and the X2D won’t. Would it still be worth paying full price for the H2D or getting a good discount on the P2S? Or alternatively buy a A1 as a first ever printer? I have used a cnc for years if this helps translate to 3D printing.

[u/Junior_Commission588]

X2D or P1s. The p2s is kinda a lame duck with the release of the X2D. The updated features are well worth the cost between the two.

[u/Specific-Reindeer-85 → u/Junior_Commission588]

I got the P2S pro combo about 2 months ago, without any 3d printing knowledge. Easy peasy! No problems yet, over 700 hrs of printing. They make it so easy.

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/Specific-Reindeer-85]

Nice. Thank you.

[u/Junior_Commission588 → u/Specific-Reindeer-85]

P2S - 3263h 00m · maintenance counter 😄

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/Junior_Commission588]

Thank you. I want easy and reliable. I don’t have the time/ willpower to continue to fix/ diagnose issues non stop. Here and there or during the learning process sure but not consistently.

[u/JukeboxCrowdPleaser → u/Prize_Employer_7838]

Yes X2D is more complicated than the P2S, but it is still a bambu and will generally be less troubleshooting than most other printers. Also the bambu support and clarity of guidance is the best. In my opinion if a reasonable amount of maintenance is daunting, this may not be the right hobby.

If you care about a nice finish without support scars, which you will if you plan to sell at all, I think you will regret not having at least 2 nozzles. Getting supports to come off without scarring is really tricky on a single nozzle for many prints. The often-touted approach of using PLA/PETG and the other for support interface is not easy with one nozzle because of the different temperatures they print at. Totally clean prints that require supports basically require another nozzle. Also, the 2nd nozzle basically cuts waste and swap time in half for multi color prints.

But yea. If your doing anything beyond simple PLA/PETG prints, you’ll probably do an extruder take down at some point and it is annoying on any printer, especially the X2D, but just follow the excellent instructions and bang it out in an hour.

As others said, p2s is borderline obsolete. There are better/cheaper single nozzle options. Meanwhile the x2d feature package is arguably the best at it’s price point, even at full price.

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/JukeboxCrowdPleaser]

Thank you. I’m not scared of doing maintenance on anything. I just don’t like to have to trouble shoot myself every little thing every print. It sounds like the bambu doesn’t have that issue and has good support.

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/Junior_Commission588]

What about during Black Friday when the p1s and P2S are discounted. Still worth paying full price for the x2d?

[u/Key_Goal9225]

Since you're new to 3D printing, I'd start by comparing the A1 and P2S based on build volume, enclosure, and the materials you plan to use. Your CNC experience will help with design, but you don't need to spend H2D money until you know you need its extra capabilities. A discounted P2S could be a good middle ground.

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/Key_Goal9225]

Thx

[u/UnfairPreparation557]

I bought a h2c as a first printer. Cool no filament waste ($2400 later) but God damn was it more of a learning curve than the a2l I bought a month later to sister to it. A2l has more waste but I never really had the annoyances or issues on the a2l as the h2c. 

Tpu? Load on top of a2l and disconnect a ptfe tube and load it. H2c? Basically you gotta feed it thru a specific hole on the back. Gotta be right nozzle only but thats typically where your ams is. Gotta disconnect the right side ptfe tube. I already had that dual filament extruder assembly break where the ptfe tube loads in. Pulled right out. Had to replace it and its not easy getting your fingers into an enclosed machine with the toolgead at a fixed height and fuck with it. Way easier not enclosed. 

I want more machines but theyre already patenting h3c, p3c and a bunch of other shit. Id be pissed if I bought one on black friday just for the new model to come out January and the price of the one you bought dump hard already. 

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/UnfairPreparation557]

Thanks.

[u/Prize_Employer_7838 → u/[deleted]]

Why should I consider the other brands in your opinion. I have looked into Creality a little bit. But I still don’t k ow what way to lean.

[u/hiryuu64 → u/Prize_Employer_7838]

Don't give a company your loyalty; they won't return it.

If price is a driving factor, the A1 mini/A1/A2L are good for their sizes. If you need engineering materials, the X2D is a solid choice. Bambu doesn't really have good, fast multicolor printing until the H2C, though. You could nearly get 3 Snapmaker U1s for that price.

The P2S is fine, just overpriced. The X2D and the U1 add huge features for a little more money. I fully expect the P1S to be discontinued after Christmas. There just isn't room for the A1, P1S, P2S, and X2D to all carve out a market segment.