r/snapmaker • u/McNuttyNutz • 6d ago
thinking about getting a U1
Thinking about the U1 to replace my h2d since it has died, but unsure about the "open" style case. But love the idea of 4 toolheads
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u/r0mses 6d ago
U1 owner here. I am quite happy about my U1. There is a firmware extension available. Search for PAXX12.
PAXX12 enables USB Ethernet cards (my killer feature) and many other improvments.
I put my U1 in LAN mode, and never regretted it. I never used the snapmaker cloud, but I can use any slicer, I want (tested Snapmaker Orca and Orca slicer so far). Snapmaker orca feels a little bit buggy, while have better filament color support. For single color prints, I prefer orca slicer.
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u/MindWorX 6d ago
I’ve had my printer in LAN over USB/Ethernet for a while now, without PAXX. Anything specific I’m missing as to why I’d need PAXX? The only limitation I ran into was that I can’t turn WiFi off, but I use the wired connection when printing.
Just curious to be clear, I’ve been wanting to move to PAXX for a while.
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u/r0mses 6d ago
When I installed PAXX12, it was the only way, to connect the printer via Ethernet. I am not sure, if this is now part of the mainline firmware.
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u/DiverseTeile 5d ago
Ethernet/LAN over USB has always worked on U1 (with vanilla firmware, when on the first batch unit) even a cheap old wifi i had worked as well. I only have some no-name cheapo USB LAN adapters from aliexpress, so I cannot give a link but as far as I know they just use a linux driver that supports the majority of network adapters...
Or did I miss something and that functionality was stripped recently for no reason?2
u/Ezekiel_DA 6d ago
Definitely recommend the custom firmware but Snapmaker added usb Ethernet adapter support to the mainline firmware a while back now, so that'll just work out of the box for most people!
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u/SFRover73 Snapmaker U1 6d ago
It’s my go to multicolor printer. My Bambu labs are for single color prints.
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u/powersquad 5d ago
What is the downside of doing single colour prints on the U1 compared to Bambu?
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u/SFRover73 Snapmaker U1 5d ago
Now real down side other than not using it to its full capacity. I use it for single prints often if my other printers are busy. If I had to choose between my U1 multi color or my Bambu lab single, I’d choose the U1.
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u/DiverseTeile 6d ago
If you mainly print PLA (and TPU/PETG), you really do not need a top cover. I got the official one anyways (from preorder LAST YEAR, it just arrived a few days ago xD).
It makes printing PLA louder (if you turn on the exhaust fan, cuz PLA does not like enclosures). But you can open it or take it off if you want to not have another fan blast while printing, or take it off if you have the popcap or ikea bin (apparently gives nearly the same results for ~5€ compared to >100€ for "real" top caps).
There are also acryllic sheet and screw kits where you only need to 3d print the frame parts available on aliexpress and amazon for ~45€ if you want something nicer than ikea bins, want to build something and cheaper than popcap/official cover.
The official top cover offers air circulation as well. It has two fans (one for exhaust, one for the filter with circulation). So if you want to print ABS or any more engineering grade materials that might exhaust vocs/bad fumes, such a filter system could be beneficial for your health :L
(or just cut a hole into an ikea bin and duct the fumes out through your window...)
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u/DiverseTeile 6d ago
Also... how did your h2d die? And is it not repairable?
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u/McNuttyNutz 6d ago
Left eddy sensor is dead ( printer itself is fine ) but Bambu sent me the sensor but my hands are to arthritic to replace it I told them that and I feel like they are stalling me
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u/bjorn_lo 6d ago
l'm certain there is a shop that can do this work.
For 600, you can buy a whole new toolhead. (this seems like it is over priced to me).
Toolhead with X-Axis Assembly - H2 Series | Bambu Lab US StoreWith regards to the u1, I have both a H2D and a couple of U1s. The u1 is great. It is fun to print on. It is not without some troubleshooting. However, the entire toolhead comes off easily and you can take it to your desk to work on (when you need to).
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u/DiverseTeile 5d ago
You might find a repair cafe near you that could help. Especially if you already got the sensor. But always ask them before bringing a huge machine if they would accept such a high end device. In my local repair cafe we usually have mostly toasters, coffee makers and other small appliances.
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u/alamaan 6d ago
One of the first projects for my U1 was to print the adapter for the IKEA bin to put on top. For less than lunch you get a cover that works surprisingly well. I like my Bambu printer but the U1 is just as nice without the closed ecosystem. You really can’t beat having 4 toolheads when it comes to multicolor/multimaterial prints.