My first printer was. Qidi. They are solid and perform well. I still use it from time to time. Loved the humor you always add to your videos. Also, I love your supports walk. What a great memento of the first people who signed up to help!
Wow, only $400! That's a lot of printer for that money. And I really like the idea of being able to print ABS. I think you have me sold. I have been wanting new bigger printer and this just might be the one! Thanks for bringing that to us.
This video could have saved me a few hours if I had seen it this afternoon. Was torn between QIDI I Mate s and FF Adventurer 3. Watched a lot of videos before deciding ultimately to get the QIDI. Decided to watch a few more QIDI vids to feel good about my choice and this one hits the nail on the head.
Told you man. Qidi rocks. It was the first printer I had major success with. Lol I have a X-Max sitting in a box still. Great vids man! Qidi is superior to flashforge.
Thanks. The gratitude tiles are something I haven't released for... a number of reasons, not the least of which being that they're kind of a pain. If I were to redesign them now I'd use printablok connectors.
So that robot arm is actually a kit. It's an Arduino Braccio robot arm (highly recommend you buy directly from Aduino). However, it has zero control mechanisms, so I build one suing Electroblocks, which you can download at www.printables.com/model/88418-electroblok-tinkerkit-braccio-robotic-arm-mount
May I ask a favor? Could you recommend a couple "no learning curve" printers? I got a cheap one and just didn't have the time to do all the learning and tweaking it required. I'm in my 40s make a good living. Have no kids. Looking to spend less then a grand. My primary use would be to prototype machine parts. Building custom machines like motorcycle parts, kitchen appliances, etc. Id like something that I can ignore for a couple months. Drag out. Turn on. And pump out a couple iterations of a part. Then drag out back into storage. Odd like to do the least amount of leveling, calibrating, and support engineering as possible.
3D printing is not for you ;-). There is no "no learning curve" printer. You have to be prepared and open to learn how operate the hardware and software, dial in new filaments and fix the issues that happen with every printer (I.e. nozzle clogging).
Boo, Benjamin. No gatekeeping here. There are very few 3D printers that put a focus on being super easy to use, especially at the budget level, but they are getting more common, and I look forward to the idea getting widespread adoption. I would say that the Toybox is the most easy to get up and running with, requiring zero knowledge of how a 3D printer works, though it's a little limited and probably not the one you want for the type of parts you're describing. The Flashforge Adventurer 3/4 is the next most easy to use. You still need to learn how to use a slicer, but besides that it's pretty much setup and go. No bed leveling necessary, super easy to maintain (I love how they let you swap nozzles with the push of a button) and runs like a champ most of the time. And then there's this one. Again, still need to understand a slicer. And with this one you're going to have to level the bed, but they walk you through it pretty well. And once it's up and running, it's a fire-and-don't-worry experience. If you want something a little more industrial and reliable, the Flashforge Creator Max 2 would be my next step up. I recently fired it up after abandoning it for a while and it worked great... until I wrapped a print around the print head and shorted out the heating element while trying to clean it up and blew the motherboard. Probably not the kind of experience you were looking for, but keep in mind, that was after about 2 years of using it without any major trouble. Of course, if you have the budget for it, there are some high end solutions. Raise3D printers are always a favorite of mine. I'm using one right now and while I've had to do a little maintained on it in the 4 years I've used it, most of the time it runs like the workhorse it is. And the Pro2+ can 3D print a small child! Good luck!
Where did you get it from? Did you’ve bought it? Read many bad stuff about them in the deep of some forums. They also replacing parts with cheaper ones atm. I.e YT reviewer’s got bigger better build plates etc. I was short before buying one but couldn’t order from china, even if the service seems to be very good but I don’t want to tinker.
That’s right, for example they replaced the rods with thinner ones and stopped shipping it with a complete second print head. Instead there is a hotend only (heartbreak, heater block and nozzle only)
Hmm I have a Qidi x-plus and it is an ok printer. The x-plus is basically a imates with a better bed platform mount (attached on 2 sides, not only in the back like the imates). I have used the printer for a year now. So I have the experience to say it is not as great as your review may make people think. Main downsides are: WLAN Connection buggy (destroys files transmitted every now and then, resulting in a "bad gcode in line xyz" error message) LOUD AS HELL (fans as well as axis movements are way louder than the average printer Poor print head design - clearing jams in the extruded is a pain in the ass because you have to disassemble the complete printhead. Additionally the print head suffers from underextrusion after longer travel moves, probably due to oozing. Qidi slicer is ok for the beginner, it is based on an older version of Cura. Better swap it with Cura to be up to date. Cura has a plugin for Qidi which enables you to use WLAN with Cura (NOT only possible with Qidi slicer) Extruded Pressure can not be adjusted (bad for flexibles) Closed source firmware (Chitu) which makes modding more difficult However, the printer is still a good deal for the price. It is built very sturdy and prints very reliably. I totally trust in it printing multi-day-prints without having to be scared of failing. But to make it a really good printer the printhead needs to be replaced by something better. Humebeam has made an excellent mod (Icarus mod). Unfortunately there is nothing you can do against the loud axis movements. Definitely not a printer to run in the living room.
Very intersting. Now, I've heard rumor that the production version of this machine is different than the one that they sent reviewers. Almost makes me want to buy one just to find out if that's true because it would be very skuzzy if that were the case. But mine is so quiet I never feel the need to turn it off. It make a little noise when printing, but that's about it. The case fans are the quietest I've ever heard. Also, I haven't had to clear a jam yet, but I'm very familiar with the style of print head this is. It's a pain, but it's a standard pain. Does this machine run Chitu? I thought that was only for resin printers?
@@3dpprofessor the fans switch off when the printer has been idle for a few minutes. This is cool, most manufacturers just let the fans run as soon as the printer is on. So the printer is indeed silent when not printing. But during printing my x-plus is very loud, especially when x and y move at the same time. Not sure why, the stepper drivers seem to be silent, but the printer is still very loud when 2 axis move at the same time. Qidi uses Chitu on the X-Pro, X-Max, X-Plus and Imate(s). Probably also on the newer Machines (IFast and X-CF Pro).
My first printer was. Qidi. They are solid and perform well. I still use it from time to time. Loved the humor you always add to your videos. Also, I love your supports walk. What a great memento of the first people who signed up to help!
Wow, only $400! That's a lot of printer for that money. And I really like the idea of being able to print ABS. I think you have me sold. I have been wanting new bigger printer and this just might be the one! Thanks for bringing that to us.
This video could have saved me a few hours if I had seen it this afternoon. Was torn between QIDI I Mate s and FF Adventurer 3. Watched a lot of videos before deciding ultimately to get the QIDI. Decided to watch a few more QIDI vids to feel good about my choice and this one hits the nail on the head.
Told you man. Qidi rocks. It was the first printer I had major success with. Lol I have a X-Max sitting in a box still. Great vids man!
Qidi is superior to flashforge.
I found your channel recently, good content you make! Are the "Gratitude Tiles" files available somewhere? Would be a nice wall-art.
Thanks. The gratitude tiles are something I haven't released for... a number of reasons, not the least of which being that they're kind of a pain. If I were to redesign them now I'd use printablok connectors.
@@3dpprofessor thank you anyway!
Love your channel. I want to build that orange robot arm you have on this video. Are plans available both 3D print files and electronics?
So that robot arm is actually a kit. It's an Arduino Braccio robot arm (highly recommend you buy directly from Aduino). However, it has zero control mechanisms, so I build one suing Electroblocks, which you can download at www.printables.com/model/88418-electroblok-tinkerkit-braccio-robotic-arm-mount
@@3dpprofessor Thanks Professor.
May I ask a favor?
Could you recommend a couple "no learning curve" printers?
I got a cheap one and just didn't have the time to do all the learning and tweaking it required.
I'm in my 40s make a good living.
Have no kids.
Looking to spend less then a grand.
My primary use would be to prototype machine parts. Building custom machines like motorcycle parts, kitchen appliances, etc.
Id like something that I can ignore for a couple months. Drag out. Turn on. And pump out a couple iterations of a part. Then drag out back into storage.
Odd like to do the least amount of leveling, calibrating, and support engineering as possible.
3D printing is not for you ;-). There is no "no learning curve" printer. You have to be prepared and open to learn how operate the hardware and software, dial in new filaments and fix the issues that happen with every printer (I.e. nozzle clogging).
Boo, Benjamin. No gatekeeping here.
There are very few 3D printers that put a focus on being super easy to use, especially at the budget level, but they are getting more common, and I look forward to the idea getting widespread adoption.
I would say that the Toybox is the most easy to get up and running with, requiring zero knowledge of how a 3D printer works, though it's a little limited and probably not the one you want for the type of parts you're describing.
The Flashforge Adventurer 3/4 is the next most easy to use. You still need to learn how to use a slicer, but besides that it's pretty much setup and go. No bed leveling necessary, super easy to maintain (I love how they let you swap nozzles with the push of a button) and runs like a champ most of the time.
And then there's this one. Again, still need to understand a slicer. And with this one you're going to have to level the bed, but they walk you through it pretty well. And once it's up and running, it's a fire-and-don't-worry experience.
If you want something a little more industrial and reliable, the Flashforge Creator Max 2 would be my next step up. I recently fired it up after abandoning it for a while and it worked great... until I wrapped a print around the print head and shorted out the heating element while trying to clean it up and blew the motherboard. Probably not the kind of experience you were looking for, but keep in mind, that was after about 2 years of using it without any major trouble.
Of course, if you have the budget for it, there are some high end solutions. Raise3D printers are always a favorite of mine. I'm using one right now and while I've had to do a little maintained on it in the 4 years I've used it, most of the time it runs like the workhorse it is. And the Pro2+ can 3D print a small child!
Good luck!
Get a closeup of that tile wall. www.3dpprofessor.com/2022/04/16/printing-gratitude-tiles-on-the-qidi-technology-i-mates/
Where did you get it from? Did you’ve bought it? Read many bad stuff about them in the deep of some forums. They also replacing parts with cheaper ones atm. I.e YT reviewer’s got bigger better build plates etc.
I was short before buying one but couldn’t order from china, even if the service seems to be very good but I don’t want to tinker.
That's very interesting. If they're seeding positive reviews, that is not cool. I will do some digging.
That’s right, for example they replaced the rods with thinner ones and stopped shipping it with a complete second print head. Instead there is a hotend only (heartbreak, heater block and nozzle only)
Hmm I have a Qidi x-plus and it is an ok printer. The x-plus is basically a imates with a better bed platform mount (attached on 2 sides, not only in the back like the imates). I have used the printer for a year now. So I have the experience to say it is not as great as your review may make people think. Main downsides are:
WLAN Connection buggy (destroys files transmitted every now and then, resulting in a "bad gcode in line xyz" error message)
LOUD AS HELL (fans as well as axis movements are way louder than the average printer
Poor print head design - clearing jams in the extruded is a pain in the ass because you have to disassemble the complete printhead. Additionally the print head suffers from underextrusion after longer travel moves, probably due to oozing.
Qidi slicer is ok for the beginner, it is based on an older version of Cura. Better swap it with Cura to be up to date. Cura has a plugin for Qidi which enables you to use WLAN with Cura (NOT only possible with Qidi slicer)
Extruded Pressure can not be adjusted (bad for flexibles)
Closed source firmware (Chitu) which makes modding more difficult
However, the printer is still a good deal for the price. It is built very sturdy and prints very reliably. I totally trust in it printing multi-day-prints without having to be scared of failing. But to make it a really good printer the printhead needs to be replaced by something better. Humebeam has made an excellent mod (Icarus mod). Unfortunately there is nothing you can do against the loud axis movements. Definitely not a printer to run in the living room.
Very intersting. Now, I've heard rumor that the production version of this machine is different than the one that they sent reviewers. Almost makes me want to buy one just to find out if that's true because it would be very skuzzy if that were the case. But mine is so quiet I never feel the need to turn it off. It make a little noise when printing, but that's about it. The case fans are the quietest I've ever heard. Also, I haven't had to clear a jam yet, but I'm very familiar with the style of print head this is. It's a pain, but it's a standard pain.
Does this machine run Chitu? I thought that was only for resin printers?
@@3dpprofessor the fans switch off when the printer has been idle for a few minutes. This is cool, most manufacturers just let the fans run as soon as the printer is on. So the printer is indeed silent when not printing. But during printing my x-plus is very loud, especially when x and y move at the same time. Not sure why, the stepper drivers seem to be silent, but the printer is still very loud when 2 axis move at the same time.
Qidi uses Chitu on the X-Pro, X-Max, X-Plus and Imate(s). Probably also on the newer Machines (IFast and X-CF Pro).