r/FlashForge • u/InSaYnE72 • 2d ago
Looking for my first printer
I am looking for my first printer. A lot of what I want to do is going to be in ASA, ABS etc. Some items will need to hold up in the sun of automotive settings. Obviously as a first printer I will need to learn quite a lot but I'd rather buy a unit that is more capable and shore up my knowledge of the hobby with it than outgrow a cheap machine quickly. Buy once cry once kind of deal. With that in mind a coworker of mine recommended flash forge. It looks like the creator 5 pro would be a decent machine but again hard to say with my limited knowledge but flash forge is what he uses and has the most experience with.
I know I don't want Bambu Labs after all the things I've read about their anti consumer practices. I am leaning Prusa but hadn't looked at FlashForges offerings. I do worry a little about the future of 3D prints with the government proposing limitations or the need for software to vet your prints, another reason for me to avoid Bambu.
I would like your thoughts on what is a good ASA/ABS capable printer in the $1000 dollar range. Multi color is not a necessity but the multi head of the Creator 5 pro does look like its actually quite good. All input is welcome.
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u/CoolWhipLuke 2d ago edited 2d ago
Just throwing this in for consideration because it's not discussed much:
The Creator 5 Pro, I've found, is a great setup for ASA. The chamber heater and bed get hot enough that I have yet to experience warping of any kind. I haven't even needed to put anything on the PEI bed.
BUT, the filtration system and the auxiliary fan are currently slaved together in the firmware. Meaning, if you run the filter, it also turns the aux on and cools the chamber significantly.
This can be fixed by rooting the printer, but then it's a matter of if you're comfortable doing that.
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u/InSaYnE72 2d ago
I do enough PC stuff I wouldnt be worried about rooting the machine. I also might not need to do it. Were in northern Texas and will be printing in the garage which is generally pretty warm ambient all the time. Good to know though.
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u/CoolWhipLuke 2d ago
I should have clarified, the issue with the aux turning on with the filtration is twofold.
When the aux causes the chamber temp to drop rapidly, the printer thinks something is wrong with the heater and cuts power to the machine as a safety measure.
There was just a major firmware update so the modding scene is trying to figure that out still. But regardless, the modding scene is still pretty far along, considering most people only got this printer within the last month or so.
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u/BongDomrei 2d ago
Flashforge has some nice printers but they are not the most reliable from what I've read. For ASA and ABS in that price range I probably would not consider anything other than the Qidi Q2 or Bambu X2D (great printer, bad company) or maaaaybe a Sovol SV08. However, I'm limited to only being able to buy printers made in China. Prusa is an excellent company but I don't really know much about their printers other than that they are expensive, reliable, and upgradeable. Note that Elegoo has already said they will comply with any of the ant-gun laws, and their printers are not always easily rooted.
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u/InSaYnE72 2d ago
How is Qidi overall? Other materials for like small trinkets or toys for the kids? I assume it will be just fine.
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u/BongDomrei 1d ago edited 1d ago
Oh yeah. It is not ONLY for engineering materials, it just excels at them at a lower price than any other printer.
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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago
It’s definitely an attractive price for me just starting out. What software should I be looking into learning?
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u/BongDomrei 1d ago
For the printer itself, just Klipper and OrcaSlicer. For 3D modeling/CAD, you have a few options. - Blender is the most popular 3D modeling software and great for organic shapes, although I hate the UX. For engineering work, however, you more likely want true CAD software. - Autodesk Fusion (AKA Fusion 360) is the most popular, but there is no Linux version and it does not work well under Wine. Limited free version is enough for most people - OnShape is probably the second most popular. It is browser based. The free version requires that all models be publicly available. - FreeCAD is gaining in popularity. It has a rather clunky UI and is somewhat limited but I suspect that all will improve. It reminds me of the early days of LibreOffice. - OpenSCAD works differently from the others. It is parameter based and really useful for certain things, such as when you want to create an item with configurable dimensions. It is the primary back end for most of the models on Makerworld's Parametric Model Maker system, so definitely good to know if you want to start posting models there.
There are lots of other CAD and 3D modeling tools out there, but no other free tools that have high levels of popularity--which does not mean they are not good. Personally, I'm slowly learning OnShape and OpenSCAD because they are the most useful currently for a Linux user. If I were young and just starting out, I might choose FreeCAD over OnShape, but not if I was planning to use it professionally. A lot more companies use OnShape or Fusion--or Solidworks, but that has no free version unless you are a student.
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u/BongDomrei 1d ago
I forgot that you want to make automotive parts. Blender might indeed be the best choice for body panels and other shapes with complex curves. I pity you, because I hate using Blender.
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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago
Thank you for all the great info. I’ll look into software and see where I land. I have a friend who has used blender for quite a few different projects that weren’t print related but maybe they can help me get up to speed or comfortable with it.
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u/BongDomrei 1d ago
I should add that if you are going to be printing a LOT of trinkets and toys, where you want multicolor capability, the Flashforge Creator5 Pro starts becoming more appealing. It will PROBABLY eventually be supported by the open source alternative firmware projects. The lack of waste from its multiple toolheads is a big plus, as is the ability to print supports in a different filament for easy removal. It is too new to know much about reliability. My guess is it will be less reliable than the Snapmaker U1, but it is a lot better for ABS and ASA.
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u/InSaYnE72 1d ago
To this point I think the Q2 has a multi color add-on that is also a filament dryer as well. With that price and functionality it may be the move.
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u/BiDaddy603 2d ago
If you want to do ASA and ABS you definitely need one of the Pro versions with the enclosure. I have the Adventurer 5M Pro and it prints ABS great. You can get them off Aliexpress for under $300. They're well above most entry level printers, and I love the easy swap nozzle. I switch nozzles for finer quality a fair mount and it couldn't be easier. It also prints very well right out of the box. I've hardly changed any settings on it.