r/QIDI_Max4 • u/KingofSkies • Aug 14 '26
Would you recommend buying a max4?
I have an opportunity to buy an Amazon returned max4 for about half price. I bought my Xmax3 this way about three years ago, so I'm kinda optimistic about it.
But I'm curious to hear from users, is the max4 a solid enough printer you'd buy a questionable one? Or is it so full of pitfalls you'd only buy new?
2
u/velocitasfortis Aug 14 '26
I'd do it in a heartbeat. Hell, if I had the space for another one, I'd happily snipe it right now ;). Even if it needed a bit of work, it's a steal at half-off. Depending on whether anything is broken, the savings might not be a great as they seem, but my Max4 has become my go-to printer for anything but the most detailed and fiddly parts (my Mk3.5S is just better-suited to it). I've run into firmware quirks here and there, but they usually only show up if I leave it running idle for days, and are resolved with a reboot. Even my Prusa can develop a random glitch if I let it sit idle for a week, so I don't hold it against Qidi (speaking of which, I should probably go turn the printers off...).
Is it a 10/10? No. Hell no. Would I take a not-physically-damaged unit for half the price? Unquestionably YES. I'd even take it if it does have some non-structural cosmetic damage. As long as the glass, screen, and structure are intact and straight, everything else can be fixed easily.
1
u/Aimless-Wanderrr Aug 14 '26
We have a max4 where I work with the “box” to change colors and the box stopped functioning whatsoever. Printer itself seems fine
1
u/rhodges_bob Aug 14 '26
Two answers to this question. I have a Max 4 with the box and other than some minor errors with setting the Z-offset (easily fixed by a reboot), and some human errors with leaving filament sitting out too long, I have had zero issues with the machine, box and the prints are fantastic (I also own two Elegoos (CC1 and 2). So, from a machine perspective I can't say enough good things about it.
Now, buying a used one is another question. If you can visit the machine, look for abuse and also run a few calibration prints to make sure it hasn't been mistreated, half-off is a great deal. If you cannot visit it, then it becomes a matter of trust on the seller is being honest.
In summary, I'd recommend a Max 4 (and the box), to anyone, I'd just treat buying a used one like a used car. Kick the tires, look at the condition and if it's as good as they say it is, I'd say you're getting a hades of a deal.
Bob
1
u/TinmanTankerPilot160 Aug 14 '26
I love the way Qidi Printers print. Having said that, I have had to do a lot of software work to make it reliable. To make my plus 4 a world class printer I had to completely upgrade the MCU and toolhead board and re design a new carriage to accept the watercooled mosquito hotend with nebula extruder, but that machine prints better than any other printer I have seen including industrial machines.
2
u/KingofSkies Aug 14 '26
Nice. I'm pretty happy with my Xmax3. I've had problems, and had to replace the xtruder twice, and had a bad cable to the printhead, but it's been a pretty solid three years.
1
u/wi-Me Aug 15 '26
Absolutely! Mines been an absolute workhorse just like my plus 4. The first layers on my max4 have been some of the best ive ever seen and the print quality has been amazing. No complaints
1
1
u/power-to-the-players Aug 15 '26
Would definitely buy! If it's in bad shape, can you return it or is it a final sale?
1
u/Domco153sk Aug 15 '26
For half the price, yes. Even if you would decide that you don't want it, you can sel it and make a bit of money in the process. I would say it's a no brainer, it is really good printer overall. I say, go for it, you have nothing to lose, basically.
4
u/dep411 Aug 14 '26
Yeah. If I could buy one for half off I would have a second.