How many 3d printers do you have? I assume most in the forums are designers or at the very least really into the hobby. I’m just curious how many printers you are using daily. What is your ideal setup?
For the most part the bottleneck in my designs are time and not printers or filament. But I’ve been wondering how many printers I actually need. I’m at 2. A P1S and an A1 combo. If I ever sold physical prints I’d need to probably go up to 6.
I’ve been thinking so much about the next steps in my progression.
Semi-professional use at home. Professional use at work.
I have P1S (freaking breakdown nightmare machine), A1M (zero issues), Voron V0.2, Voron Trident.
Was planning to add next Bambu flagship (to slowly phase out P1S), but then a fiasco with connectivity and Bambu Connect happened + IMO H2D printer is just as bad as a standalone printer. Will likely replace P1S (as soon as Bambu kills 3rd party support) with Prusa Core One.
At work, I have Stratasys FDM (F-series) and PolyJet (J-series).
I have 4 currently. 1 A1 Mini, 1 P1S, and 2 X1Cs. All with their own AMS units. The A1 Mini though I’ve mostly dedicated to just TPU and the P1S mostly prints ABS.
When I get the H2D, I’m going to take the A1 Mini and P1S out of service.
I haven’t really felt a big need for more than 4. On bigger projects, I’ve had all 4 running. A lot of stuff lately hasn’t been able to fit onto the mini’s bed though, so mostly it’s been just the 3.
Typically I’ll have a main project going on that’ll occupy two of the printers. Usually my projects are two toned, so it works out well to split ‘em across the two. Then I’ll regulate some sub project or just something else I need to 3d print to the third.
I own 5 printers, but only really use 2 consistently. I have my original Creality Ender 3v2, Lulzbot Sidekick 747, Anycubic Photon Mono 4k, Bambu X1C, and Bambu A1 Mini. I also have a Bambu A1 in the house, but that one I got for my son.
My X1C is my primary printer and my A1 mini is my little go to for when the X1C is busy or I just need a quick print. In the near future I’ll probably have the H2D, depending on future reviews once people start receiving them. I really need a dual nozzle or IDEX large format as my next printer. I need to get rid of my Ender 3 v2; the other two have their own specific purposes.
I’d say having two printers is a minimum if you are into designing your own parts. That way you can still make quick parts, like make jigs for wood working, while your primary is busy doing stuff. Also lets you continue prototyping if you are working on a more complex project.
I’d call my self a hobbyist or maybe a prosumer since my printers have become an integral part to my tool box. These things help augment my life by allowing me to design and print things I need or can’t purchase. Having more than two doesn’t really help me much, but having printers that can have specialized duties would.
I know you kill it so I just assumed you had like a giant farm. lol Cool to know you only use a handful of printers.
I’m thinking 3 might be the sweet spot. The H2D solves alot of problems with multicolor and I could easily see myself designing parts specifically around printing in 2 colors. I design mostly large parts so its not like I’m filling the plate with 30 of the same thing.
I think 1-2 definitely limits you to either print what you need or to prototype. You can’t do both. I found myself at christmas only having time to print gifts. I didn’t have time to print my own designs.
Currently running an X1C and 2 A1s, but with the H2D en route I’ll have to think about the plan for the limited space we have. As someone who is not running my printers as a farm, three is a really good amount for being able to test and prototype, as well as printing exceptional models from the community.
I have an A1 Mini+AMS, A1+AMS and K2 Plus+CFS. The A1 Mini is my prototyping workhorse. I rarely use the K2 Plus, but when I need to print something big, I appreciate the 350^3 space.
I don’t know if the H2D is the machine for me for a variety of reasons. If Bambu ends up coming out with a larger P1P with A1 hotend or maybe the H2D hotend, I would purchase it.
I’m most interested in Elegoo’s Centauri, especially if they develop an AMS for it. And yes, I lean toward the P1P and Centauri versus P1S or Centauri Carbon because I only print PLA.
I currently have 5, 4 x P1S, each with two AMS units and an A1 mini combo.
All of them are active, all 5 were printing yesterday.
I have around 180 unique rolls of filament, covering colours and material types. Over 200 when taking spares into account.
I have donated 5 printers so far and a couple of hundred rolls of filament. Mostly to schools so they get to benefit.
This is a hobby for me, I do not do anything commercial. I have designed and printed models and parts for businesses, but, only for friends so they can help their own clients.
2 P1S combos and an A1 Combo. I mostly design stuff and do personal projects, but sell a few things on Etsy. In November and December they were running almost 24-7 to keep up with sales, but after Christmas it’s just a been a handful of orders each week, which is fine with me. I’m likely going to pickup an H2D combo on the next wave but I’m not sure where I’ll fit it yet.
Not sure I really want to become a print farm unless I develop some good product(s) with nice margins, but like the idea of having enough printers to knock out ideas fast when inspiration hits.
I was/am. This stupid forum doesn’t show I replied to you specifically if the reply is immediately under the entry I replied to. This is very confusing as if you hit the bottom reply button I there is no way to determine if it is a direct reply to the message above or unrelated.
Anyway, yes, you are a Brit, northerner though.
I am in the midlands, East Midlands specifically. Originally an Essex boy.
