tl;dr: What is the best quality consumer 3D printer available (NOT bambu labs)?
Hello,
I'm relatively new to 3D printing (<6 months exp) and am in need of advice.
Background: I purchased a used Prusa MK3S+ as my first printer (got a good deal from a neighbor, not a print farm). I had great experiences with it for a few months. However, recently several components keep breaking one after another. I've spent ~$100 over the last month replacing parts, and now it seems the power supply and/or mainboard needs replacing. (I promise I've followed every guide and been very careful. I think I'm just unlucky.) I'm sick of fixing my printer. I just want a printer that works. I've decided it's time for me to just upgrade.
- What is currently the best consumer level printer available? I do NOT want a Bambu Labs printer. Otherwise, I would just get the X1C. Here are some things that are important to me:
- Open source software available (even if rooting is necessary)
- Very high quality prints
- Enclosure would be nice
- The bigger the better
- Reliable
- Ideally can be made quiet for overnight prints, even if I need to turn down the speed.
Currently I'm looking at the Qidi X-Max 3 and the Creality K1C. I'm hesitant though because both are new and both brands have had QA issues on other products. I'm also looking at the Rat Rig V-Core 3.1, but I'm scared it'll be a mess of tinkering like my Prusa was.
Any input or recommendations from more experienced people would be greatly appreciated.
- What should I do with my Prusa MK3S+? I don't want to throw it out, but I'm not sure its worth anybody's time or money if the mainboard and power supply are dead. I definitely don't wanna put any more time or money into fixing it myself.
Sorry for the long post, but I felt adding context would help specify what I'm looking for.
Thanks in advances for any replies!
I dont own prusa, but know some people that do. Dont know how many hours your machine did, but Prusa is a freaking workhorse! Feels like you are talking about unlimited issues I had with my first printer (bad designed prusa i3 knockoff). I replaced it with Ultimaker 2+ and that thing is still printing and looking like new. Sadly ultimaker is not in the open source mood anymore lol, and they are super expensive
If your motherboard died you are deffo unlucky, same goes with PSU. I would probably replace what needs to be replaced and continue the jurney. If I was buying a new machine I would probably buy Bambu P1S or build a voron. I know you said you dont want bambu, I prefer open source as well, but bambu just look like great value for the $ and awesome community feedback (told that to a friend recently and he received broken bambu p1s hehe). Creality is not new, but if you want reliable machine and quality parts I would stay away from it.
I know I didnt provide answer to your questions, just throwing my thoughts
Thanks for the advice.
As you said, a Bambu is tempting, but there's enough sketchiness to make me settle for something else.
Building a Voron seems intimidating, but I'll look more into it.
And good to know about Creality.