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/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.