3d Printer that does it all? - Qidi X-Plus 3 Long Term Review

If you want a 3d printer to print engineering filaments, you've probably found that there aren't many budget options.
Could the Qidi X-Plus 3 do all you need it to for a more budget friendly price tag?
In this review, we're going to find out.
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Other videos used:
• QIDI X-Plus3 3D Printe...

[@GWRus77]

Qidi sent me a free new hot end after 1-2 months of use and the temperature would fall once the part rapid cooler would turn on revealing an obvious issue with the unit, so I think they treat customers quite well. I monitor 6 of these units and so far they are good units, but some bed adhesion issues without the use of a glue stick.

[@sylverdetective5547]

i haven't used glue stick once and get perfect prints lol

[@bartacus3521]

I'm surprised they didn't include the camera in the middle model. I just bought the little guy, X-smart 3, and I did the same as you, Logitech on a tripod. But as you said, not ideal, especially with the more expensive models. I don't begrudge Qidi for skipping the camera on the little one, since it's a $400CDN printer, but they should have included it with the higher up models. VERY happy with mine though, it can blast out high quality ABS parts in very little time.

[@JTs3DPrints]

I grabbed their camera for thirty some bucks works great on my XSmart3. The Fluiid software has camera view and one can setup think Octoprint camera control pretty easily also for using camera remotely if one wanted to. It took about 5 minutes to install, goes in front right top corner and fits very nicely.

[@WonkoTSane]

The hotends are 100% identical with the exception of the nozzle. The only thing that you need to change is the nozzle to print with abrasive materials.

[@olafmarzocchi6194]

Oh you print for customers? a video about all this aspect would be interesting! from what to whom to how to pricing, to settings (speed, quality, ...)

[@SirTools]

Since last year the Qidi has become my favorite "go to" for printing. I sold off 6 bed slingers and replaced them with the Qidi for my production needs. I do wish they had a side loading arrangement for filament changes etc, but all else has been awesome.

[@JTs3DPrints]

I agree for price and capability I believe at moment the new Qidi machines are hard to beat. They also have very high ratings on support.

[@richardwillcox4097]

I've had an X plus3 for 3 months. This machine is currently the worlds largest paper weight. Problems started with the extruder which failed in the first few days. This was replaced by support. The machine then wrapped filament around the hot as a print came loose, so another wait for a new hot end. I pressed on and got a few excellent prints, but this didn't last, I then had problems installing some new firm ware, this resolved, and my first prints were well up to standard. Things changed suddenly for the worst , the hot end started driving into the build plate with considerable force and it was impossible to correct this like you would some simpler machines. Support is trying to understand the problem but as it is the machine is unusable. So until I receive a fix from Qidi all I have is a large paper weight ...oh and of course my other trusty printer.

[@JTs3DPrints]

Just saw at Qidi website new release on March 20,2024 they have image only at website no details. Love my XSmart3 and was going to order XSmartMax but now holding off to see details on 20th of their new release model!

[@yeroca]

If they do have a good accelerometer in the print head, I guess there's just something wrong with the Klipper configuration, because Klipper calibration ought to be able to iron out the ringing on its own. With some luck, maybe that problem can be fixed in a firmware update.

[@stew675]

The accelerometer is fine. What I found is that the default algorithm selection will favor acceleration over vibrations to a certain extent. If you look at the output of the calculations you can see it'll often pick an algorithm with some vibrations still present. Looking through the list we can pick the algorithms with 0.0% vibrations with the highest accelerations instead and manually set those in the printer.cfg file in place of the automatically selected algorithms

[@aarontaylor6464]

Ooh, I'm writing before I actually see the actual video. I wanted to purchase one and see your comparisons with an ender 3 s1 pro.

[@DaDuckman05]

Not even in the same league. Far surpasses any ender printer

[@Munky332]

Its tempting, but at the same time the Q1 Pro just dropped for an early bird price of $470... slightly less build volume at 245*245*245. Ugh, so tempting.

[@tbip2001]

Any word on whether flashforge will do a larger version of the 5m? I have it and it’s brilliant, but I’m really starting to need a larger machine. It would be an instant buy if they made a300x300 machine

[@stalker9218]

Nice review I hope my Qidi max 3 will be good)

[@jamesbont7052]

Wait for Qidi Q1 !!! I can actually recommend all of Qidi's X-3s. Apart from the bed ventilation and the space-heating (Plus/Max), these only differ in the printing size. Bed heating (max. 120°) and hotend temperatures (350°) are the same.

[@stalker9218]

@@jamesbont7052 too late)

[@Dannygagg]

i can't believe 3 hours ago you dropped a video on the exact printer i have been looking into all day today, surreal i own an Ender 3 S1 Plus & have watched all your videos on the bed leveling over and over again only to find out that my bed is all kind of warped & i'm tired of the bed slinger form factor and i have been looking at this with a very keen eye so perfect, if i end up getting one - I'm going to have one hell of a good reference video & potential follow up videos from you to help me out :D

[@emiloss91]

I have one from yesterday. I know its a short time, but so far its amazing

[@peterpeter5666]

bought my first 3d printer 3 months ago a p1s . fantastic experience so far . zero complaints . it would be hard for me to go to an other printer brand especially with the ams and rf tags on filaments that make printing so effortlessly

[@RL.1]

You never mentioned if you used any higher temp filaments (other than ASA). Did you ever print anything at 350? That's WELL within the range of PEI and PPS. Actually most of the extreme high-end plastics print in that 350-ish zone.

[@JTs3DPrints]

I have the smaller Xsmart3 no enclosure heating doing amazing ABS prints without any difficulties.

[@PandorusFightStick]

I have been looking at this printer and torn between this and bamboo labs x1c

[@beluil]

It has it's issues. I'm considering selling it and getting p1s with ams.

[@PandorusFightStick]

@@beluil I went with p1s and no regrets

[@bambamquiescence]

Mm cubed per second I reckon mate. Otherwise, amazing video thank you so much!!

[@mwinner101]

Bambu or Qidi? That’s the question.

[@jonm7547]

Ricky, have you printed at 35mm3/s ?

[@legendaryshadow6428]

do you recon the qibi tech x-smart3 is a good 3d printer for the use of project, like chassis for robots and so. This one, x-plus 3, is a lot over the budget even though it is what I need. The only draw back for the x-smart3 is just the bed size, I would rather much have at least 20 x 20 for the base. unless there is another enclosed 3d printer that can print abs too, and potentially nylon or a cf but around £350. Im just stuck as there is a lot of options out there but what I need for long term is just sly out of my reach.

[@WHAT_1400]

i can tell you it is, as long as you don't need a big build plate, and that as far as i know it's still the only printer you can print a PC blend with - dunno about pure polycarbonate as i haven't tried - for that kinda money. it's just good at everything else too, no complaints about it. i do have a bigger printer that i use for bigger prints and it still gets some use, so you're right that the bed size is a bit of a limiter. the only other issue i would have with it, if i was to have it on a desk next to my office and not in a shed, is the standby fan noise. it could probably be replaced with a silent fan easily enough, if needed.

[@WHAT_1400]

@@f8haus no, i've used a .4 and a .6, but QIDI do sell a 0.2 nozzle so it's entirely possible. The small bed size and the corexy design should be capable of giving you as good of a result as you can reasonably expect from any FDM printer with a 0.2mm nozzle, with the right settings

[@Don_e210]

Anyone have information for qidi’s new printer coming out in 2 days?

[@davidleffler4288]

What mobile app do you use with the Plus 3?

[@MF-Creations]

LOL, I'm sorry but I can't keep from giggling when I hear the name "chitty slicer".

[@aberodriguez4149]

👍👍👍

[@Kceys]

my 3d printer only prints half of what i wanted any ideas on what i should do?

[@raiden72]

Do you mean it stops mid print or is there a failure on your print like spaghetti?

[@Kceys]

it just stops mid print

[@j.hunter5007]

I have owned the X-Plus 3 for over six months (having previously owned the original X-Plus for several years). IMO, the X-Plus was a MUCH BETTER printer. Half the parts off the X-Plus 3 are pure garbage. I mean absolute fails, as in a birds nest of filament from attempts at simple parts with Qidi Tech supplied PLA. I wish I had kept my older model (given away as a gift). The X-Plus 3 also suffers from firmware issues. All in all, this machine has been nothing but frustration for me. It is a beta product that should have never been released for sale.

[@RichM1967]

The only thing it seems to ahve over the creality K1C is the size you can print at. I'd like a larger size but most thing I print fit well within the 220x220 frame.

[@802Garage]

Aaaaand... PRICE.

[@iboysven]

The frame is also more stable and thus you get less ringing

[@802Garage]

@@iboysven Plus the heated chamber and it's honestly a more solid machine overall. I believe the onboard processor is also more powerful if you get into complex G-code.

[@corlissmedia2.0]

What they need is a good DESIGNER to fix that UGLY enclosure.

[@marty4286]

Your wish seems to have come true, they're announcing a Qidi Q1 pro soon and the teaser screenshot looks more like a Creality K1 or Bambu P1S in styling

[@alex59292]

Functionality over looks

[@corlissmedia2.0]

not true. I drove to work for twenty years in an ugly busted up VW. Then I bought a brand new Fiat 150 Spider and the difference it made in my life was palatable. My X1C is stunningly beautiful and I enjoy working with it all the time. My K1 and my Kmax are the same way. I'm building a super larger CoreXY with all linear rails. It's based on the Tronxy machines. The better I make it look the better my experience. An ugly looking retro 50's machine that looks like a Transformer and a washing machine forced together is not a fun experience at all. @Broskisnowski

[@corlissmedia2.0]

@@alex59292 form is supposed to follow function. When it does the machine or whatever works better. When it doesn’t there’s always something wrong with the machine.

[@helixxharpell]

I can do that. ;-)

[@GrapplerMaster]

No multi color with a bed smaller than 300mm for 800... yeah no thanks

[@justneeded8684]

Only idiots buy a xplus3 for 800 bucks

[@stew675]

Can get them for $589 with a coupon. Who the heck is paying $800?

[@GrapplerMaster]

the shitty X-Plus 3?

[@Leidj-pt6qk]

what is bad about it ?

[@sylverdetective5547]

yea keep telling yourself that ha ha!!!