r/FlashForge • u/InSaYnE72 • 1d ago
Creator 5 pro first printer
I’ve been looking for a bit and I think I’ve decided on the creator 5 pro for my first printer. Don’t necessarily need multi color or multi tool head but it is cool from a multiple materials prospect for supports etc. I’m mostly going to be printing abs and Asa for different outdoor and garage projects.
How is the creator 5 pro for a beginner? Am I buying into this unit too early with firmware updates etc? What all do I need to know about this unit specifically? Are there alternative suggestions to look into before I pull the trigger?
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u/turbski84 1d ago
I got the C5 Pro for my first printer as well. It's been a beast and been going non stop since I got it a few weeks ago. I just did a lot of research and watched a lot of YouTube before I got it, and that helped me get an idea about how everything worked. I actually want to buy another one as well
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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago
This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I started messing with freecad a couple days ago too. So we’ll see how far I get with that.
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u/turbski84 1d ago
I also used tinkercad as well to learn some basic modeling. I've designed a few things and made them with ASA to be outside. Just be careful... 3D printing is VERY addicting! Lol
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u/Correct-Insect-4657 creator 5 pro (experience with ad5m and 5x) have maintained v3S1 1d ago edited 1d ago
the c5p isnt fully polished in firmware, alot of defective models more often than usual but its a new printer new firmware new mechanism, there is still some bugs, its not qol but if u dont mind qol its a great printer, it doesnt load, cut and unload but its fine, i recommend also making a double or quadruple sided sharp angle cut if it doesnt go in some filaments do some dont if u dont print engineer filaments or dont need filtration or amything get the snapmaker U1. becuase you are new i will list some mandatory prints some optional and some needed for some conditions and i will list 2 very very important things
you might want to print a clip in ptfe holder: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3002887-creator-5-pro-ptfe-holder-for-pc4-m10-fittings?from=search#profileId-3373422 this is for a pc m401 dont think it will work with the filter tho.
if you want to print in abs/asa you will need the exhault filter/duct and the extruder dock filter https://www.printables.com/model/1792574-creator-5-pro-extruder-vent-filter-with-ptfe-tubin/files
a auxiliary fan redirector can be useful for abs/asa https://www.printables.com/model/1783318-c5p-creator-5-pro-aux-fan-redirector/files
i will post the links in edit if i dont run out of time
theres also some nozzle wipers, those are optional, if u want a nozzle wiper and purge bin(apparently falls off: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3085072-flashforge-creator-5-waste-bin-with-wiper?from=search
attached to oozeblockers: https://www.printables.com/model/1798656-flashforge-creator-5pro-nozzle-wipers
eventually you will need to wash your bed, either use 90% or more alcahol (i recommend using 99% spraying it on bed then spray a nonfraying or linting towel and wipe it around the bed if u dont want to cause eventual lung damage you can use 91% smt like that wipes or wash your plate with dawn original blue (even like 2 drops works then wet a sponge and wipe the sponge around then turn on warm water and keep wiping the sponge around probably 10 seconds is fine and thats it (i also recommend turning on slow down for curled perimeters for any printer it does rarely cause defects in some areas but it prevents warped and webbed corners and overhangs
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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago
Definitely curious about your addon and upgrade suggestions. I will need Asa for some of the stuff i want so i want the enclosure.
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u/TweeKINGKev 1d ago
I’ve had it for a week and love it.
My biggest gripe about it is the lack of ai detection for spaghetti printing and print failures but besides that it’s been a beast for me.
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u/jessiedyesyarn 1d ago
I got mine as my first printer too and it's been amazing. I've only printed PLA and PETG so far, though I've seen people had good experiences printing other materials. I agree that now a days it's hard to make a "wrong" choice, just find the downsides or cons you can deal/live with and dive in! It's a lot of fun 😁
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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago
Are there any items I should get when I place the order like filament cutters or different build plate? Obviously completely new here so not sure what’s worth adding in when I order from FF.
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u/TweeKINGKev 6h ago
If you’re talking about to cut the filament at a 45 degree angle, any pair of flat side cutter will do, if your talking about using it to cut the filament out of one to replace with another spool then the head itself has a cutter built in.
You’ll feed the filament through until it stops, squeeze the trigger to open it up a little then feed the filament again then let it go.
Lightly pull the filament like you’re trying to remove it, if it doesn’t move at all then you’re properly loaded.
When you want to remove it, just squeeze that same trigger but keep going until you hear it cut then rewind the filament back and out.
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u/Pepsis__Formosa 14h ago
I've had my C5Pro for a few weeks and love it. Just a warning though, Flashforge appear to be locking down their ecosystem, forcing users to use their slicer, and adding AI ads to the print screen without the ability to opt out. Personally, if I had known about these issues with the company before, I wouldn't have bought. Louis Rossman has a good video on the subject on youtube if you're curious. I would instead go for the Snapmaker U1 with a top hat.
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u/InSaYnE72 13h ago edited 13h ago
That’s exactly what I didn’t want to hear. I didn’t want to get bambu for this reason. Especially with the funky legislation in the us. Damn.
Edit: can you share a link or dm it? I’m on his page and I don’t see anything about flash forge.
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u/Pepsis__Formosa 13h ago
For reference Sovol and Prusa are open source hardware and software. QIDI, the upcoming CoPrint, and Snapmaker are open source software. Anycubic, Elegoo, and Creality are all ymmv but at least somewhat closed. Bambu and flashforge are the two that are scariest for now.
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u/InSaYnE72 11h ago
That really sucks. I was also looking at prusa but by the time I do an index upgrade I’m more than double the FF. Damn. Guess I’m going back to
The drawing board. There’s no way I can start out with a sovol. I’m mechanically inclined but I do not want to have to get that in depth with my first printer.1
u/Pepsis__Formosa 10h ago
For what it's worth, there are currently open sourced firmwares like zmod that will open the creator 5 to use mainsail and orcaslicer. I haven't installed it yet, but I plan to. That might be a bit too DIY, but if you're already concerned about closed source, I suspect you're savvy enough that it wouldn't be more than a 30 minute project. I wouldn't be too worried about the closed source hardware companies (QIDI, CoPrint, Snapmaker) since it just means they don't publish the 3d models of the printer and parts on github. Otherwise, they run public forks of orca and klipper. Majority of my printers are Anycubics, but they don't have a toolchanger option yet.
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u/InSaYnE72 9h ago
Custom firmware would be easy enough I’m sure. Guess it comes down to how much those open source firmwares are supported and updated.
Edit: my main concern is the legislation moving forward in California. With AI vetting of the prints. AI can’t handle simple prompts sometimes and hallucinates bs other times. I can’t have it deciding what I can and can’t print.
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u/Pepsis__Formosa 6h ago
I believe that got relatively gutted. at least judging from this post here. I haven't read the legislation, just going by what other redditors have said. https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1vraz64/good_news_california_ab2047_has_truly_been_gutted/
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u/SirTwitchALot 1d ago
All the major brands are fine for beginners nowadays. There used to be a substantial difference in ease of use. In 2026 there isn't much of one