Is the Ender 3 Still a GOOD Starter Printer for Beginners?

[@Stuntman707]

I would recommend the A1 Mini to any new starters who don’t want to spend a fortune. I’ve spent more money upgrading my Ender 3 v2 to do what the A1 Mini still does better straight out of the box. The A1 Mini handles all the calibration automatically which I wasted many hours doing manually on the Ender 3. If you really want to tinker with the machine rather than designing and printing models then sure, get an Ender 3.

[@larryfroot]

I brought an Ender 3 v2 on the basis of buy cheap and upgrade components as and when I could afford it. A bondtech direct drive extruder and a Mosquito hotend were supposed to be my limit. Oh, and adding a second z lead screw. And a CR Touch. But the z banding on my larger prints was horrendous. I eventually discovered that the malalignment of my second z lead screw was happening because the plate extruding out from the unit that the screw ran through wasn't at a right angle. So I chucked the lead screws and swapped to a dual belt z arrangement instead. It prints beautifully in a wide range of materials, however Marlin means it's slow. Also an enclosure for some materials is a necessity. The final mod has to be Klipper. Those print times must come down. For me, it's about the creativity. I make my own models and use the prints as masters in which to mold in silicone and reproduce them as casts in various materials. I'm not esp enamoured of technology - oh, I learned to calibrate the living daylights of my frankenender but I'd rather change daipers. However I love what it does. Adding Klipper will be the final cherry on the cake. I couldn't afford a top end result off the shelf. But I knew that, over time, I could achieve what those top end machines could by scrimping and saving. And learning.

[@andyb7754]

My first printer was a FLSUN Cube and then got suckered into a FLSUN Delta. Both of those were the biggest pieces of crap I had seen and used. I watched a lot of videos on the Creality3 V2 and took a chance. It was easy to use and produced very good prints, but slow. Did a lot of upgrades (BL touch, software, magnetic bed, extra "Z" shaft and motor, etc.) and was very happy with how it printed. I bought a second one and did all the same upgrades and brought it out to my winter home. After a FAA Maintenance Conference in which they talked about using 3D printed parts I started looking for a different printer. I watched a lot of videos on newer printers and liked the QIDI Q1 Pro. I bought one and it work fantastic, clean and very fast. I gave the V2 printers away, one to my son and one to my grandson so they could learn. I bought another Q1 Pro and gave it to my son and told him to sell the V2 (grandson is only 7 so he'll stay with the other V2, LOL!). The customer support from QIDI was second to none. Enough babbling. I really liked the Creality3 V2 printer and believe it's a great inexpensive beginner printer. Thank you for your videos.

[@elvenprints]

Just found you, and I am so happy you do 3D printing AND painting. I thought I am a weirdo, now I feel much less alone.

[@Lurker1222]

I regret not getting an ender 3 as my first printer a couple years back. The newer ones especially have really stepped it up due to growing competition. Don’t buy the brand, buy the product. Watch All of the reviews that you can. Get a lot of opinions. That’s my advice.

[@hansmontenegro]

What could be a good medium level 3d printer? I just want to print something that has consistent results. And great definition.

[@dvsmotions]

I have the original Ender3 and haven't used it for about a year. I did a huge amount of upgrades but it still makes me pull my hair out and it's just not enjoyable. It is great for tinkering. I need to find a good home for it.

[@geoffreyhowells7290]

WHEW... Almost pulled the trigger on an Ender 3 v2. Went with a P1P at the last second. Dodged a bullet.

[@dsemolian3071]

Mine was awesome, pimped it out to the max. Good for learning more technical aspects of the hobbie. Most people that are just now jumping in probably won't want to deal with all the tinkering that comes with the basic ender3.

[@randythomas5188]

make pen hole from tire i need to change diameterof inside to smaller circle

[@IrocZIV]

Bought a JGMaker A5S for my first printer. Spec-wise it was better than an Ender, but because it had limited community support, it made a lot of things harder. I ended upgrading to the P1S recently, mostly because I was tired of fussing with things, and the Bambus are getting a lot of community support as well, even if they are locked down a bit.

[@5325jslenk]

I have tried 2 of them and have had nothing but problems with them, they worked for awhile but than just quit, junk. I am glad you have had good luck but I will not by another Creality printer ever again. I now have a Anycubic and it is amazing.

[@seanobrien7169]

They are...frustrating. I go through periods where I can't do wrong and print after print is perfect. Then something gets out of whack and you start chasing your tail trying to figure out why. I have found that I learn from this though. I come out the other side much more experienced and knowing more about the machine and printing in general. The big question though, is this pain necessary today with printers like the A1 available?

[@ItsMeaDMaDe]

I see both sides for sure. I attribute a lot of my trouble shooting knowledge to my Enders. Yes mine have been pains in the past but like you I learned and then got them printing beautifully. I think for people that like to tinker they are the best option but as you said the A1 is out there and it doesn’t take much work to get good prints. It’s really down to your needs. I personally run both and enjoy them both for different reasons.

[@seanobrien7169]

My ender 3 v2 is a pla workhorse. Assembling it allows a first timer to at least understand some of the mechanics and if carefully set up and leveled it prints great from the start. It is modular with lots of upgrades and parts are cheap. I love mine. But...if i were starting out today and if i had the money...there are certainly better printers. Yes, the ender is a dinosaur. But it is a cheap ont that works great and at one time was the standard

[@fredsmith1970]

I have the V2 too. Only did the first bed levelling and calibration when I first assembled it and, other than running the occasional auto bed level check before major prints, I've not had an issue with it since I bought it a year or so back. It works, and fits my needs.

[@machineshopinc.]

Hey buddy!

[@brucewoods9377]

I have an Ender 3 and it is great. Just cannot print fine detail like HO scale people

[@mikesbasement6954]

Nothing by Crapality is good for beginners. From a rough poll of friends who bought the Ender 3 only about 1/3 of them worked. Serious problems like the aluminum frame not being cut at a 90 degree angle, electronics not being soldered (and I don't mean the connectors). Until they get their QA problems fixed nobody should EVER buy one of their products.

[@riceklown]

I don't need to watch this... the answer is no. lol If you want to learn, the hard way, everything about how 3d printing works down to the nitty gritty details because you HAVE to in order to solve every mysterious problem... then sure. Shave your head first... best to get rid of the opportunity to pull it out by hand. If you want a great 3d printer that will work great and only make you learn how to refine good results into great results, buy literally any Bambu printer. The $200 A1 mini is absolutely incredible. I will never buy another Creality product as long as I live and I would consider someone trying to give me a free Ender 3 to be an insult and an invitation to duel.

[@danidran]

With the A1 Mini there's no reason for anyone to start with Ender.

[@writer8706]

Not true build volume is a major issue with fhe A1 mini. Also a V3 Se csn be found for $150.

[@highhosilver4078]

@@writer8706 I think the print bed size and the “closed but still kinda open” ecosystem of the a1 mini are its only setbacks. If neither of those are an issue, I can’t see why someone wouldn’t do the extra $50 for the A1 mini with how many QoL and ease of use features it has

[@viniguez487]

Save everyone the time. The Ender line played it's role. Only Creality shills still peddling Enders. Buy a Bambu A1 mini. You'll spend more time printing and less time tweaking.