OK Hive buddies I’ve not been on Hive for about 6 months I guess once you get your of the habit it’s hard to get back in but here goes.
I’ve been 3D printing for almost 10 years now I got my first Ender 3 back in 2006 and it’s still going strong much modified but still going.
When I retired to the Philippines I built another Ender even cheaper this time buying direct from China.
While there I ended up printing around 1,500 face mask frames and filter housings for local hospitals in Cebu during the Covid pandemic probably the useful my printer there had ever been.
Anyway enough of the history lesson why this post? Bambu Labs that’s why.
So after years playing with Ender 3 printers I’ve finally bitten the bullet and upgraded far more professional Bambu Labs X2D an amazing printer at the price too, mostly for that heated chamber and ability to print filaments like PET CF the AMS multi filament feed is just a bonus.
The setup today took even longer than building my first Ender considering it’s mostly preassembled and the Ender is really a kit build that was a surprise.
All I can really say is thank god for Bambu Labs YouTube setup video it’s defiantly a must watch if you buy the X2D. The amount of packing and supports and hidden lock screws is astounding.
I thought the box might come in handy but it too big and won’t fit though the loft hatch so I guess it will go in recycling along with all the other cardboard.
Once it’s all together with the AMS is fitted and you think it’s done, the calibration takes almost an hour but it’s all automatic.
The first test prints are already programmed in and it's fast really fade. The infamous Benchy only took about 15 minutes and came out perfect. At some stage I’ll have to a head to head against the Ender 3 and see how much quicker is.
So you get a lot of printer for the price that is very capable and accurate 3D printer. The heated enclosure is capable of handling filaments such as PETG and ABS without issue. Where my Ender 3 will really struggle to produce good prints .
There is one down side however because of the speed and mass of the head it does move a fair bit and while the Ikea LACK table is just the right size and works fine with the Ender 3 but it’s no way sturdy enough and shakes about a bit when when it’s printing so I guess I’m going mean I need to invest in something a bit more substantial. So I guess my mini print farm will look a bit different than it does now.
OK Hivers a quick update.two day later and a trip up to Ikea in Exeter again today and picked up a system BROR work bench which was recommended for the Bambu Labs Printer and it’s much more sturdy than the LACK coffee table. Every thing is up a little higher but I can live with that, defiantly the right table for this job and I have some useful storage space under it.
So all for now Hivers I’ll try and not stay away for another 6 months.
