I kind of agree with what you’re saying on creality, but if you look at their core xy machines compared to other manufacturers of a similar price point, it’s just not worth it (K1).
To your point about larger size, Qidi XMAX3 is where it’s at. It’s rock solid and customer support is amazing. They’ve sent me free parts due to clogs and helped diagnose issues on the printer (this is what Creality lacks, support). It runs on Klipper and is easily modified, and it’s fully enclosed with a heater.
I also think a “beginner” machine has shifted. Most people want to print, not maintain. And now we have plenty of machines that need little maintenance.
Creality machines do excel at tinkering, swapping parts, and doing fun mods. But you need to know that’s what you want when going in. Even then for a beginner I’d say get something rock solid for your first printer, and get a tinkering machine for your second.
I agree with everything you’re saying about filament. The only thing to use CF with is Nylon if you need it to be a little more rigid, but it will eat your nozzle.
ASA and ABS won’t only smell, it will poison you. Do not hang out if you can smell it.
As per Amazon and their return policy, totally true. If you’re not buying there make sure they have a solid customer support, like Qidi and Bambu. Creality wouldn’t take a return for the world.
rugburn@lemmynsfw.com 1 month ago
Agree with everything with one caveat - creality QA is absolute dogshit.
kitnaht@lemmy.world 1 month ago
It really isn’t. It’s the users who are mostly to blame. The one I see all the time, is users who replace the PTFE without knowing how that whole system works. Especially people who replace the PTFE with Crapricorn tubing.
rugburn@lemmynsfw.com 1 month ago
I’m just going on personal experience, 1st e3v2 I bought had a bent gantry extrusion (box was not damaged) and I had to deburr several of the holes. Luckily microcenter is local to me and I was able to exchange it. 2nd one was good for about a month before I had to replace the extruder as the teeth had worn off to the point it would slip and make that fun clicking sound we all know and love. I was only printing standard Inland PLA, nothing filled or overly abrasive. All ghings being equal, as someone new to the hobby at the time, spending more time and money trying to get it to print “ok” versus trusting it to not fail a 10+ hour print finally got to me. Not sure about their newer machines as my Ender experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Personally, when people ask what I’d recommend, I default to Prusa or Bambu (I went with Bambu), or Sovol or Quidi for more budget friendly options. I’ve heard Creality’s newer stuff is better, but I’m not planning on buying any more of their stuff. Eventually I’ll jump down the Voron rabbit hole, but too many other projects at the moment, plus a 350x350x350 machine is going to take up serious space in my print room.
Tl;dr : if you have a creality machine and you’re happy with it, by all means. One can only speak on their personal experience.
kitnaht@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I have pretty unique experience here in that I run a 3D printer repair shop. I have my hands on literally thousands of machines per year (an avg of 3-4 a day or so).
I’ve never once seen a bent gantry extrusion. The Ender 3 was known for a faulty period between 2020 and 2021 where they made a non-glass-filled extruder levers.
And I’ve never seen a brass hobbed gear for the extruder wear down on just normal PLA. White-PLA can be a little bit abrasive, but glow in the dark is just as bad as carbon fiber.