Qidi Q1 Pro Klipper 3D Printer - A $469 CoreXY But Not With Out Issues!

[@Prevettspecialdesign]

I brought one, having had many many different machines over the last 7 years, this is one of my favorites, quick and easy to setup, the printers are fantastic, yes the printer has some wired things about it, but they are quite easy to fix. For the price you cant go wrong!

[@somhunt5446]

That was a nice concise review Ian. The Platform calibration is for manual tramming of the bed. Credit goes to actually understanding the filament unload workflow from QIDI. A lot of reviewers and owners have made a big deal of the PTFE tube removal for no good reason other than it's not their normal workflow. Just tension the PTFE tube up, and press down on the collet, just like every other time you remove a PTFE tube. In fact, I use the Bambu PTFE tool for this function. Your preferred method is QIDIS now "Automatic" option. Re: build plate alignment, just align the front corner edges. Perfect each time. a minor inconvenience that can be easily overcome. /rant The only gripe I have is this heater issue being perpetuated. Speaking as an Electrical engineer, the heater is sound. The heater fins are only live when the heater is turned on, there is a SSR in between. From an energy isolation perspective, we do all we can, but we will concede to malicious intent. There is a lot of personal internal safeguards to contravene to reach those metal fins. Such as the temperature of the chamber, a random fast-moving 200-degree hotend . If you must prod, disengage from the electrical outlet. Europeans will say but wiring can wired in reverse. Well I say that's a European issue to work out. /rant

[@eaman11]

Do that 5 times and you probbly break the pneumatic coupler. They just had to put a blade there like they did with the previous gen.

[@802Garage]

NeedItMakeIt has already released designs for upgraded spool holders and an upgraded bed surround that locates the plate better. Very cool. I also hear Qidi has already made changes to the printer which will affect future orders. To me, even with the small issues, this is the most capable printer for the money. Only major change I'd like is if it was a bit larger, but at this size it still accommodates the vast majority of printing projects. The heater issue was definitely overblown by a few people, at least for the USA. Vector 3D made a pretty unnecessarily harsh review in general, in my opinion. Nice review on your part! It surely isn't a perfect printer, but it's a great offering overall.

[@3DandTeePrinting]

It's a great machine. It really expands my material capabilities with PPA, unwanted ASA and Natural Nylon.

[@gbstrick1]

You said that you waited to release the review for more information, but have failed to read the documention about how to use the printer. Qidi have the full instructions available on how to use the bed manual calibration and it is not something needs to happen often. The heater is fine and Vector3D has made a mountain out of a mole hill. The heater is safe as it was manufactured. Dont stick a screw driver in it like a complete idiot and there's no issue. The filament changing routine is in place for a reason. Pulling the filament on the extruder can cause strings that can get caught in the gears. Extruding it out is the best option and it takes little effort to remove the ptfe tubing from it's holder. This simple procedure seems to have folks losing their minds. I dont know if it's stockholm syndrome from years of ender clone use or what. As for TPU, it has beed working fine for me in the 95A variety. I have it slowed down to 50mm/s and have had no major issues. I don't use anything less than 95A, so i wouldnt be able to speak intelligently about it. Overall, your review seems to generally align with my own findings. This printer will likely run non-stop for months as it does such a good job and requires so little user input.

[@802Garage]

People freaking about the heater is ridiculous. Tell them to never use a space heater, toaster, hair dryer, heat gun, or many other home electronics devices.

[@rescuemethod]

I need to print flexibles and the print volume is too small! I will wait for their larger format corexy to come out next, hopefully better suited for flexibles

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic review, Ian! Thanks! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@TuxedoXterior]

Where's the update on the support response for "platform calibration" bruh?

[@Rcschim]

Love seeing you review different printers. Makes it easier for me to select what to look at next ;) Curious to see if Creality will still talk to you and send the k2 when it comes out? Anyways, have a nice Sunday, greets, Mario

[@MadRC]

Honestly I don’t know. It seems the K2 is coming soon. However Iv not heard anything.

[@BogHopperFPV]

Hi Ian, thanks for the review- what would be your personal choice of printer just now that also prints TPU well? Ken

[@eaman11]

The thing I don't understand: if they don't bother to make a proper firmware release how can they have tested the mechanics for VFA, artifacts and whatever?

[@raiden72]

Yes it does seem that they are leaving a couple things up to the "tinkerers" instead of being a bamboo experience

[@eaman11]

​@@raiden72 It ain't that, if they are using a 2 years old version of Klipper and they didn't bother to optimize that, macros and the slicer profiles: how am I supposed to believe that they properly tested the mechanic for artifacts and problems? As usual with QIDI you have to wait one year for 2-3 incremental upgrades because they obviously don't test and optimize the products in house, they live that to the early adopters.

[@radman999]

At least you have full root access so you can do whatever upgrade you want

[@eaman11]

@@radman999 Like changing the motors, the pulleys and the belts because they did not check for VFA?

[@dnlzy]

That's the only thing stopping me from ordering this printer - coming from past Qidi's printer, I just refuse being their QA department

[@krisgleave]

Which printer would you recommend for FPV printing TPU? I know the expensive Bamboo is the best but what would you recommend, if anything, for less than £400? Something that’s just easy to use without levelling issues.

[@MadRC]

Today honestly the A1 Mini. I have a video on this coming in the next week and for the current price it’s crazy good value.

[@TheFlyingScotsmanTV]

Ive found exactly the same thing with TPU. In the end the nozzle got stuck on when swapping nozzles, I assumed the flats above the nozzle on the hot end where for purchase of a spanner... and then found that no - the ceramic heater is on the back - but by then the spanner had broken it and it no longer heats... Now 63 quid spend on a new hot end and shipping to QIDI and a useless printer till it comes. Plugging my old anycubic kobra back in, and it prints tpu no bother at all. In the 2 days I had it before it broke, I was happt with it, but didn't manage to get any faster speed out it than I've got out my anycubic kobra either.. so not exactly too impressed at the moment to be honest. that and the 2 year old klipper that firmware, and the 4-5 minutes EVERY print as it faffs about levelling again - I was going to try upgrading printer.cfg to disable this, but didn't have time before broke hot end.

[@schwarzflieger]

still no updates on goggles x? what's wrong with it?

[@3D_Printing]

K2 by Creality out soon, 350 Cube, colour, enclosed and fast

[@riba2233]

and 💩 quality

[@followme8238]

Buying a 3dp is like buying a car - there is always something new being worked on, better bells and whistles under consideration. And then you buy the new model and risk paying top dollar for the privilege of learning about all the bugs and glitches. I’d rather buy the best model from last year at a discount - with all the bugs known and solutions worked out.

[@3D_Printing]

@VallGowrylo Sovol SV08 worth a look

[@TheCatFather01]

Will be really hard to compete with bambu, their machines are just too darn good

[@matthewlee8917]

They really are dude. I’ve hundreds of hours on my X1c and like a 95% success rate

[@Munky332]

Qidi's not really "competing" with bambu (at least, not with this machine), they're offering a better priced unit that gets you like 90% of the way there for 40% of the price -- that suits like 90% of the users needs.

[@matthewlee8917]

@@Munky332 solid point for sure. I think if you have the cash the X1c with the AMS is worth it. So simple to change filaments and of course multi color.

[@802Garage]

I'd buy this over any Bambu Lab for the money. The A1 and A1 Mini are really nice, but they can't do what this printer can do. The P1 series is more money for less capability. I think this competes very well. Not that there is anything wrong with the Bambu Lab printers.

[@riba2233]

active heating is a huge plus

[@flat-earther]

I haven't bought a 3D printer yet because in israhell/palestine they cost double or triple than other countries and I don't want to remit extortion tax fees to the mafia

[@riba2233]

ok and? also earth is not flat

[@tecknolt2695]

Mains heater is a fail! The product should not require an after market solution like a 3D printed cover or rely on an RCD to fix a single point of failure, non compliant for CE LVD 2014/35/EU Directive, for AU also fail for RCM

[@TheHillsHaveFPV]

the EU is where all the hall monitors live

[@Munky332]

Not a problem for the U.S. lol I'll take the mains powered heater.

[@Condamine123456]

Just don't touch the mains heater then problem solved

[@3dpathfinder]

I have no plans of ever hitting the heater. You would have to really try anyway.

[@psxtuneservice]

Not compliant with EU-Hypochonder-Karen Directive. Don't be an Ursula. Don't put the screwdriver into the mains. Happy printing