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So the Bambu labs A1 looks like the perfect starting point.

One problem, it uses proprietary firmware and software, I'm a big advocate for owning the things you buy, and not supporting companies that don't allow you to do that as much as I reasonably can. So yea I can't buy Bambu.

The Creality SparkX i7 seems nice, it looks like a straight up clone of the A1
https://store.creality.com/eu/products/sparkx-i7-3d-printer

I've heard a lot of people complain about Creality though, so unsure. I'm a bit stuck and getting decision fatigue.

My budget is ~500 Euro.

Help.

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[-] Ek-Hou-Van-Braai@piefed.social 8 points 1 month ago

I live in a tiny apartment, so it might end up in my living room, so ascetics is also a factor, I really like the A1, but yea fuck Bambu

[-] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 7 points 1 month ago

In any space where you spend a lot of time, I'd recommend an enclosed printer and an air filter or outside ventilation. While the fumes of PLA and PETG are not proven to be harmful, they do contain microplastics that you'll breathe in.

[-] TheShittinator@forum.guncadindex.com 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This is also good advice for ABS/ASA and filled plastics. Honestly, I'm way less concerned about PLA fumes than I am styrene or potential airborne microscopic carbon fibers.

[-] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

they do contain microplastics that you’ll breathe in.

so does every plastic packaging of your food.

[-] fedops@fosstodon.org 2 points 1 month ago

@SaveTheTuaHawk hence it's not recommended to melt your food containers while eating.
@PonyOfWar

[-] ReverendIrreverence@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

so does every plastic packaging of your food

That's no reason to willingly add even more to your diet/environment

[-] RealisticBroccoli@piefed.social 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

we have a prusa mini for several years at work. i am printing quite a lot and had zero issues so far. if you buy the mini: order the wifi module.

[-] Mike_The_TV@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

You can put custom firmware on the x1c and use whatever the hell you want. Make sure you put it somewhere you can vent outside, so not in the living room.

[-] Ek-Hou-Van-Braai@piefed.social 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

bambu x1c ?
I don't want to support companies that lock down their firmware. The more Open-Source the better.

[-] Creat@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

The are also printers that are inspired by the voron project, while not fully being a voron, but more pre-assembled. I think sovol has some, and formbot has the troodon series, including a smaller 250mm version.

I haven't used either, but it might be worth looking into. I did but a voron kit by formbot and honestly that was great. Firmware is just klipper, so fully open source, of course.

[-] depressed_lemon@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago

If you don't want to go down the e.g. "Voron route" nor that I could recommend for the first 3D-Printer, Prusa or partially Sovol Printers would be good. For what I can say Prusa MK4S would be a solid option, although more costly than the Mini.

this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2026
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