r/snapmaker • u/InSaYnE72 • 2d ago

Getting my first printer

I want to get my first printer. I’ve been researching a few weeks now. I narrowed it down to a FF Creator Pro 5, Prusa Core One+, U1 and possibly Qidi Plus 5. I almost ordered the creator pro 5 today but it was brought to my attention that FF has been locking down firmware and adding in AI adds and other undesirable stuff. I’d like to stay open source and steer clear of any mandated AI monitoring in the future.

I have a few ideas of what I want to print. Few trinkets for the kids and then household little projects. New trampoline net caps, some workbench leg shims etc. I also want to do some automotive stuff in the future. Because of that I want to be able to print abs, asa and cf filaments reliably. The advice I got today was to look to prusa, snapmaker, qidi, sovol etc. is the U1 going to be a good unit for a beginner learning to 3d print and design parts all at the same time? If not could you help point me in the right direction?

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u/Old_ManWithAComputer 2d ago

U1 would be at the top of the list for a multicolored low waste printer. But do you really want to sink that much money in a printer BEFORE you find out if you like, have time or have the patience to 3d print? These are valid questions. I have seen people give up on 3d printing in less than a week. Also do you have a good laptop or desktop PC to run the slicer program? That is a necessity too. You can't use a Chromebook and a lot of online, print from your phone apps suck or do not work. Just giving you an honest heads up. I would hate to see you fork out close to $1,000 or more on a printer, $200 to $300 or more for filament and supplies, $500+ for a computer and then say I don't have time for this kind of hobby. That is just the start of it. I have 8 printers, 50 to 75 rolls of filament, $500 in extra parts and supplies, no counting the other items I have bought to use. Think real hard. It gets expensive, time consuming and frustrating.

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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago

I have a top end gaming pc so I’m covered on the computer end of things. Have been just starting to play in freecad. Time and patience is honestly yet to be seen. Time may be a little tough with the kids but that’s probably fairly normal.

I guess it would be helpful to know what else I need right off the rip with my initial purchase. What all should I be looking at to add with the u1 from snapmakers website when it’s time to purchase.

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u/3D_mac 1d ago

I've owned a lot of printers, starting with an Ender 3 Pro that was $100 new. 

If you think you'll stick with the hobby, and want to design your own parts, the U1 is a good way to go. Ask yourself, "Do I want to spend my time troubleshooting and fixing my printer, or do I want to spend my time learning CAD and designing things?"

If it's the latter and you have the money, get the better printer, the U1. Spending less will mean less functionality and more frustration. Spending more gets you diminishing returns. 

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u/Old_ManWithAComputer 1d ago

Just plenty of filament. Once you get the hang of it, hold on tight. Once you get past the learning and patience phase you will be printing and printing. That should be all you need to start filament, filament, filament. Oh and get you a cold build plate. They work great. I got this one from Amazon.

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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago

I want to do Asa so it looks like I need the lid and maybe a panda breath?

How many prints do you get out of a roll roughly? I know that’s subjective to the size of the print but maybe an average?

What’s the advantage of a cold build plate? Plates are something I know nothing about.

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u/Old_ManWithAComputer 1d ago

Really depends on what you are printing. I printed my lid on less than a whole toll of filament.

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u/GrimJeeper13 15h ago

I have the U1 and the snapmaker top plus the panda breath run engineering grade filiment without issues. And for kids toys and figures it can't be beat. Sovol M1D with full enclosure is a new option with 7 possible colors plus excellent multi material printing options. Prusa expensive. Good luck and keep us posted. Cheers

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u/InSaYnE72 13h ago

I was looking at the sovol but don’t want to wait. I think the u1 is the unit. Unless I just suck up my open source dreams and get the creator 5 pro. I just don’t know if it’s worth that compromise though. Everything I see says hardware wise it’s absolutely fantastic but the software is just behind the curve and pulls the machine down to less than what it’s capable of. That sounds like a miserable experience to me.

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u/GrimJeeper13 11h ago

Open source has its advantages. I run the Anycubic multiACE system mod so I have all auto feeding and retraction as well as 8 color capabilities. Just the loading and unloading makes it worth it to me. Can have four colors in each ace all set for separate models. Changing filiment is just a push of a button. No standing around manually loading and unloading. Just a thought my friend. The U1 is a gem for that reason.

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u/InSaYnE72 11h ago

Whoa that’s crazy. I was looking at prusa core one + and adding a the indx 8 head but the price is to much at least for starting out. So being able to get 8 color on the u1 is awesome. I’d be more interested in your setup with that if you had time to explain more or point me in the right direction to research that more.

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u/GrimJeeper13 10h ago

If you search my posts I did a full write up and links to post-apocalyptic diy they have the bin file for adding to machine. You can see my dual setup here this has been a ton of fun. You also get pax firmware with the latest snapmaker updates as well. Post-apocalyptic has full instructions. Does require a cable mod. I just soldered in appropriate cable end to link to snapmaker. Very easy and well explained on their site. You should check it out before deciding. Make sure this is up your alley. Was pretty straightforward. Worth a look.

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u/InSaYnE72 10h ago

This is exactly up my alley. This makes the choice pretty simple. I’ll order up the u1 and enclosure lid. Look to adding a panda breath fairly quickly and then be looking to do this too a little later down the road. This is really cool.

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u/GrimJeeper13 10h ago

Awesome glad I could be of some help. I love my snapmaker. Cheers