In my previous post titled Low End FDM for Miniatures, Hobby Parts, and Messing Around? I received a ton of fantastic recommendations, but ultimately went with the A1 mini due to its price at the time, ease of use, and several other factors. It came in today, and I’ve already made 10 different prints on it. The Benchy came out wonderfully, and so has everything else so far.
Thank all of you for your help, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of the community.
I’m glad you got something that is meeting your needs so far! Lots of people going the bambu route as of late. If you want a tool that just works, it’s a brilliant machine, and if later down the line you do get more interested in the hobby side of things, you’ll a. already have basic maintenance and use experience, b. have a bulletproof backup printer when things on your project inevitability hiccup and stop working, and c. be able to print your own parts if you decide to go a self built route.
I have a tendency to get into hobbies for a month or so and then drop them, too, so it being easy to set up and use should help me stick with it a bit more. The relatively low initial investment should soften the blow if I do drop it, too.
relatively low initial investment
How much did you get it for? Bambus are not normally the “relatively cheap” options haha
I went with the A1 mini while it was (actually still is) $200 on their website. That’s about as much as we spent on our sewing machine gathering dust, a bit more than our vinyl cutter doing the same, and around the same as I’ve invested so far in mini painting.
To be fair to me, I have so far kept up with the miniature painting.
Well, they’re MSRP’ing for $199 at the moment if you don’t spring for the AMS Lite filament changer thingamadoo. To be fair that’s less than several pocket knives I own are worth. I’m not a fan of Bambu at all, but I think you could wind up with far worse for not much less money…
If you haven’t found him already. https://youtube.com/@tombof3dprintedhorrors
His videos are great, he recently fell in love with the Bambu bed slingers. His minis are designed for FDM which is something you’re going to have to look for.
Hopefully someone recommended for you to grab the .2mm nozzle since you’re interested in minis.
