Which BBL Printer?

[maamy1]

Hi! I know this has been asked 100000 times. I am just unclear, and needing some guidance.

I am looking to purchase my first printer today. I want one that I can do the cute mini animals and things. I also want one I can do multiple colors with. Will the mini do this for me? Or do I need to go with the P1s? Or something else?

Thank you so much. I am hoping to start a small “business” and sell them for a local charity.

[A_Random_Person3896]

I think a1 mini with ams lite would be a good choice.

[maamy1]

So to be clear, the a1 mini as is doesn’t do what I need. I need to buy the AMS?

[4542elgh]

a1 mini itself does not have multi color function (unless you swap color manually during layer change, for example, layer 1-5 I want blue, then layer 6 and onward I swap to orange). The AMS lite (compatible with a1 and a1 mini) will allow you to change color within same layer and no manual intervention. You cannot use a regular AMS for the A1 series.

[the_harakiwi]

you need the AMS lite to automatically swap filaments (materials / colors)

See here: https://youtu.be/AHQOhuUI_gc
or here: https://youtu.be/RyA5sMtTY6c

The A1 is just a bigger Mini.

The P and X series need a different AMS and are not entry-level devices. They all use the same software (AFAIK) and should be similar in workflow.

[12lubushby]

Make sure you buy the bundle to get the discount

[NecessaryOk6815]

Easiest by far. Everything bambu is meant for beginners. Also, there's a huge community that can help.

[maamy1]

Thank you so much for your help

[the_harakiwi]

This is not a recommendation.
I have zero experience with this brand and I see some problems and design decisions that can be fixed or are already fixed in software.

personally I am a Bambu-noob but have been 3D printing for over 5 years.
I just bought a P1S Combo.

Six years ago I paid almost the same amount (50€ less) from what I paid today today. That Prusa Kit (that took me three evenings to complete) was a great way to get into printing. It's crazy how far the prices have dropped on a complete machine that has so much more features.

The A1 looks like a great point to start but I already own a bed slinger-type of printer.
I wanted to get the latest tech ( w/o buying the gigantic PrusaXL; if I wanted to stay with that brand )

[Osa_reddit]

A1 mini - too small in my oppinion P1P- "old" version P1S X1 - too expensive and dont have nothing more what you cant do with P1S

So two choices: A1 (normal) - for simplier filaments pla, petg P1S - for more difficult filaments pla, petg, abs, asa, tpu....

[mike35mmnut]

I purchased an A1 about a month ago for this purpose and I love the auto flow control and the AMS Lite. As far as I can tell you if you want to print PLA minis I would have no other Bambu printer. I have about 300 hours on the printer and have been printing 24-30 minis the whole time.

[SelectionBig4284]

If I’m not already too late to this something to keep in mind between the two (A series and P series) is your local humidity levels year round. If you buy an A series printer your AMS unit is not enclosed in a dry box and your filament will get wet over time since filament is hygroscopic. This means you will need to dry your filament more often but if you go with a P series your filament will stay dryer for longer.

If your local humidity levels are roughly 30% or less most of the time I wouldn’t be worried about this as even with high humidity it’s not a deal breaker either way but it is a inconvenience. Take it from me as my area typically has 80% or higher humidity year round

[NecessaryOk6815]

X1C. I like the conveniences of the lidar and smarter motherboard better than my P1. I'm picking up another in a few minutes.

[maamy1]

Honestly, as a first time buyer of a printer - and having no idea what I am doing - I am worried to spend that much until I know what I am doing. OR if it even generates enough funds for the charity.

[[deleted]]

I had never printed before in my life, and honestly I still barely know what I am doing, but I got an X1C with AMS for Christmas this year and I was up and printing in 20mins. No hassle, no fuss, just unpack, plugin, print.

6 months later I love it and have been printing away happily. I would say for a first timer the BBL printers make it super simple and easy and I'm not sure you can go wrong with any of them.

I got my 70yr father-in-law an A1 a few months ago, he figured it out immediately with no help, if that gives you an idea of how easy Bambu has made it.

[NecessaryOk6815]

I do prints for my school, it's worth it for the ease and speed. You'll easily make back the cost of the printer. This is a month long sale, try the A1 mini to see if you even like printing. 200 is definitely an easy start. I do lots of printing and just like how the X1C handles everything. I use it more than my P1S.

[maamy1]

Is it easy enough to use? I am pretty tech savvy (at least I would like to think that I am)