Who's this for? Bambu Lab A1 Mini + AMS Lite Review

[@UncleJessy]

Checkout the Bambu Lab A1 Mini & AMS Lite combo $459 bit.ly/BambuA1Mini - affiliate link

[@jkdubb]

Bambu should make a filament recycler.

[@WatermelonSlice7]

yes

[@cozyChaosGameTime]

I’m so hesitant to get into multi colour printing due to the waste. A recycling solution is BADLY needed.

[@seekertosecrets]

Any maker should make that!

[@Teklien]

I literally said the exact same thing on a different video.

[@soldtheark3157]

Yea these need to come down to consumer prices there’s no reason why a filament maker should ever be $10k

[@LesFishingMoreCatching]

Cool little printer. The reason the AMS is external is so they can reuse that design for the larger A1 and A1 Max. Someones going to print a stand that relocates it above the unit very quickly.

[@agnicholson]

I couldn't agree more! That's what I love the most about the 3D printing community! 💙

[@mikecrane2782]

Agree, and another not ideal solution is you could place the AMS behind the printer

[@billbrobaggins7045]

this comment aged well.

[@Waldo-Manfred]

@@billbrobaggins7045 why?

[@HenriAGS]

Cause they did it! You can print an adapter to put it on top of the printer.

[@colbyisart]

This is perfect for me. I have never 3d printed due to space. This may be what I have been looking for. 🤷🏽✌🏼 Thank you for doing this video.

[@ReeferTheGrim]

Bambu Lab just over three years ago: "No more bedslingers" 😂😂😂

[@darknessstorm333]

I mean this is a lot higher quality than most of the other beds lingers on the market rn especially for the price

[@RegularOldDan]

Great overview, UJ! I appreciate your honesty and sharing all the issues. To be fair, I don't know if it's just bad luck or you just being more transparent about failures with a new printer than others. Don't stop doing that.

[@chribrian]

His elegoo relationship is why he has all the problems.

[@MartinWolker]

So much hype about another bed slinger, thanks for the first honest review.

[@3DPrintSOS]

Thank you for talking about the cons of the machine and not just endlessly praising it all. Much appreciated.

[@DrewLSsix]

For prints with infill or un seen spaces there should be an option to use those for the color transitions rather than purge the plastic entirely. It would reduce waste potentially dramatically. There's also simply printing with the blended filament, if you don't specifically need a hard break in the color, a bit of blended color might not be a problem at all.

[@NorwayVFX]

Bambu studio has the option to purge into both infill and supports. And at least for the X1 and P1 series you can choose to disable the prime tower and reduce the ''poop'' amount to your liking. It's all customizable, it's possible to print multi color with almost no waste if you're smart about it.

[@JohnSmith-rt5yq]

There is an option for that, "purge into infill", you can also adjust the purge amount to 0 if you want it to blend into the next color.... so both options currently exist

[@INGOFAK]

In Bambu studio you can select flush to infill. So, totally doable.

[@brendanarmstrong7802]

Sure, I would have been personally happier with a larger X1 carbon, but this is probably the best move for Bambu. It's setting itself up to be THE printer for folks brand new to the hobby to pick as their very first printer.

[@TheOlenyash]

Exactly. Looking to buy a printer right now to print a few parts a year. The list of modifications that usually comes with every Ender recommendation is scary and P1P/P1S are a little out of my budget even with the Black Friday discounts. This seems to be the perfect starting point. Pre-orders start shipping in January in Europe though.

[@oneheadlight8000]

Or veterans that run farms with parts designed for mass 3D printing. All of our parts are printed on prusa minis and A1s

[@eriorellana89]

what would you pick if you were experienced? looks like this performs better than most expensive models

[@darknessstorm333]

​@eriorellana89 what's your budgets,specs you want etc?

[@brendanarmstrong7802]

@@eriorellana89 I would say even if you're experienced, if you want a printer that just prints quickly with minimal fuss, get the Bambu P1S. If that's too expensive, get the A1. If you can afford more and want to treat yourself, get the X1. The X1 is really only a minor upgrade from the P1S unless you want to print with a lot of abrasive and uncommon filaments. If you want a printer for tinkering with, I'd recommend building a Voron.

[@andrewlongfellow8745]

I appreciate your honest approach to your video. Seems like the other KZbinrs who have made videos on this have made a very positive impression on this thing. Honestly this is the sort of form factor I’m looking for and love the speed.

[@Deathbyfartz]

seems like the perfect machine for entry into multicolor printing. i mean even the pallete alone is more expensive than the A1 mini combo :P

[@axelSixtySix]

Not everyone's into printing out those quirky trinkets and oversized helmets! I reckon the A1 could really come to the rescue when it comes to churning out practical, nifty parts and essential hardware. 👍 And speaking of efficiency, in a bustling print farm, having a bunch of those compact machines can be way more flexible and productive than relying on a couple of big ones, no doubt about it. Last but not least, it looks like we've got another contender trying to dethrone the Prusa (mini) printers. We all know BambuLab's been sipping from the same well of inspiration! 😄

[@RoseKindred]

3DPrintBunny!!! Love their work. Very nice person in the groups as well.

[@UncleJessy]

Their work is just 🤯

[@HEAVY3D]

Here for the creator, not the printer. Great video, especially with the new camera & DOA battery.

[@UncleJessy]

Haha thanks. Old camera, mic plugged into a laptop then synced up 🤣🤦‍♂️ hopefully getting that battery swapped today

[@nurkltoy]

Best honest review I have come across! Thank you!

[@JaXxX410]

That AMS lite unit reminds me so much of cassette tapes. Great video. Very ambitious printer they have here.

[@UncleJessy]

Haha it does sort of have that Plastic Look and from the side looks like the 2 spools on a cassette … man I’m feeling old 😂

[@herbveitenhans3285]

Thank you for the review, I’ll be saving my money.

[@NathanBuildsRobots]

You finished filming last night and come out with this?! That’s amazing

[@UncleJessy]

🤣😂 wrapped up the recording at 11pm then edit edit edit on my walking pad 🙃🤘

[@_xstarbutterfly]

I am new to 3d printing and just got mine today. I am happy and satisfied 😌🧡

[@NathanBuildsRobots]

I would set it up on the edge of the desk so it poops straight into a recycle bin or trash can. Just need to bolt it down so it doesn’t walk off the table

[@justinreschke3642]

This guy knows what he's talking about. He seems like a definitive source for cutting edge 3D printing news.

[@VondyGaming]

This is my first 3d printer after doing a bunch of research. Picked up the printer plus AMS. Can't wait for it to get here

[@nurkannurkan1797]

Bu senin için iyi bir seçim oldu mu. Ben de almayı düşünüyorum ama ender 3 v3 se de iyi gibi görünüyor. Karar veremedim

[@rickguzman9463]

Thanks for the video. Bambu needs to make that sample swatch set available as a separate purchase, stat!

[@UncleJessy]

AGREED! Besides the printer that was one of the things I was most excited about. That is HUGELY helpful to have

[@jamesbailey8606]

We just got the mini for Christmas. I’m buying the AMS today!

[@Repkord]

Great overview. Im with you on how frustratingly large that form factor is but of course Im incredibly space sensitive. Interesting offering. Aggressive price. Will be interesting to see how it does.

[@JamesBricknell]

I think someone should make a converter to mount the ams lite above it somehow. The whole AMS feels like its upside down

[@UncleJessy]

I really like each individually but the combo requires a good amount of space

[@Repkord]

@@JamesBricknell Almost like it could be suspended from some kind of racking hanging on the wall above somehow?🤔

[@JamesBricknell]

@@Repkord Yeah the bracket is only connected with 4 screws, easy to create a mounting bracket I think

[@3DHP]

Great video, shared on my group and Socials.

[@Killswitch1411]

Are any of the clogging issues still a problem on the A1 Mini? Or is this due to pre production issues. Seems to be a thing in the 3d printing world, lots of reviews with issues with pre production firmware etc.

[@studiojamescao]

Results are really impressive

[@lt-channel6138]

I love this printer a machine for prototyping, and also very fast

[@AtomsLab]

I like their AMS system, looks like it handles cardboard spools no problem! Good for them that they're capturing the more economical/beginner market, too. I'm hoping to see them move in the other direction next, and release something larger format and start improving the methods to reduce waste produced by multi material setups.

[@logicalfundy]

Just being able to use any spool you want IMO makes it a much better system than than their old one.

[@daliasprints9798]

​@@logicalfundyExcept that it offers no way to keep the filament dry.

[@logicalfundy]

@@daliasprints9798 I suppose, but I mostly print in PLA. It's not really aimed at people who want to print in advanced materials.

[@daliasprints9798]

@@logicalfundy Even PLA needs to be kept dry. It won't fail as spectacularly as nylon or PET when wet, but wet PLA prints like it's 20° colder (poor layer adhesion, concave perimeters detaching and stretching across gaps) unless you raise temp to compensate, and it's mildly to moderately stringy.

[@logicalfundy]

@@daliasprints9798 you can dry PLA in a separate dryer, though, and honestly it can go months without drying if you have a good brand. There's no overwhelming need for the AMS unit itself to be drying PLA while it's printing.

[@jacko9759]

Looked at ordering one (you can only order one, understandable at this time) but not in the USA. Great review.thanks 😮

[@arranwilliams2523]

for anyone looking at the A1 ensure you know Bambu labs doesnt send a kit with every printer. I was not aware of that after seeing every youtube video saying you get this awesome kit! pretty upset at the fact that it came and had no kit and my kid was looking forward to building a engine model with me! emailed support but its been days with no response and im guessing its going to be a lame response if it takes this long to get anything.

[@rydermiller4263]

What? So like what all do I get with the combo kit?

[@notexactlyrocketscience]

what is a kit? do you the mean the a1 mini + combo?

[@Adabulldoya]

Can’t even buy them they are all sold out

[@Adabulldoya]

@@rydermiller4263he’s talking about a model kit they send random ones I think there’s four

[@Adabulldoya]

@@notexactlyrocketsciencemodel kit

[@michaelchurch2919]

so its been a year hows the updates to the machine? i just ordered one for black friday and will arrive friday!

[@bobfreeber6466]

Why do you still have purge towers when the printer goes through the purge cycle between color changes? Is the purge not comprehensive enough?

[@thejdi]

I am weirdly excited about this... I don't have much space and this would be perfect? Alternatives for a click n print printer? Is this one workable with just 1 spool? Without the extra thing?

[@UncleJessy]

They only have the combo initially for preorder - i think the real draw for myself will be just the A1 Mini printer as the AMS just adds more complexity to things

[@reasonablebeing5392]

would be nice if you could stack the AMS on a shelf above the printer - would reduce horizontal footprint. Also make a tube for the poop to guide it to a bin on the shelf below. A vertical stack.

[@UncleJessy]

Agreed. I was trying to figure out how that could work but its made so the AMS lite is to the right of the machine

[@austinfarley4971]

I decided to pick this up over a Prusa mainly just out of pure curiosity for the price point and to see how it compares to my Prusa Mini.

[@OliverDaYT]

I got a a1 mini this Christmas and it does print very well. This is my first printer and I think I made the right decision. I like the a1 mini but I rly hate the ams lite. The lite’s motor to feed filament while printing is extremely weak and constantly I have to adjust the spool to continue printing. Overall I would recommend this printer.

[@ashfox2012]

Why go smaller 😢

[@zee-fr5kw]

So people who don't 3D print can get one

[@yoshin-_-]

Mans got that hot drop!

[@UncleJessy]

Just wait for my P1S video ;)

[@DomingoHernandezH]

To me the deal breaker is that the AMS still needs a purge tower, looking forward the base model w/o the AMS lite

[@ironplatypus7393]

every mmu will need a purge tower. You can't just start printing without priming the nozzle. Well you can, but its going to look terrible.

[@stew675]

​@ironplatypus7393 I wonder much of the purge could simply be used as infill instead, so less is being wasted. Only fill in the set number of perimeters in whatever color, and then purge into the infill. It would mean that the infill would be a stop and go affair, basically only do as much infill as is needed to purge the color, but it'd surely cut down on waste.

[@sundance2005]

I just ordered one and now I am a little worried. You are the first reviewer that talked much about clogs and failed prints.

[@hed420]

Where can I get that cloud controller stand?

[@UncleJessy]

HoloProps Patreon! Sorry had to cut that little segment to help get the video down in time a bit. Turned out awesome though!

[@dylan.1776]

Ready for the regular A1 ASAP

[@elleryfg7853]

What about putting the AMS behind the printer. How deep would the counter need to be?

[@UncleJessy]

I don’t believe the cables are long enough and they are designed with a specific length for those cables

[@elleryfg7853]

@@UncleJessy hum.. interesting. That's for replying. Great video by the way. 👍

[@Anton-zb9dc]

Nbr was spot on!

[@__Hyde__]

I’ve got an ender 3v2, been looking at this to upgrade to for multicolor, for the price this seems to be a solid upgrade for the price.

[@mimivrc4148]

I don't have an X1 yet and plan to get one. I hope it comes with that swatch thing by the time I do!

[@agnicholson]

Any idea if this new AMS lite would be compatible with flexible filaments?

[@UncleJessy]

I will give it a try but I believe it was no.

[@agnicholson]

@@UncleJessy, my friend and I had assumed as much, sadly. Looking forward to hearing about the results! Thanks for making such awesome videos! Very helpful even for experienced 3D printer users like us! 😁

[@bilbob7624]

when you print with multi color filament does it mix at the point of contact?

[@UncleJessy]

Does a small unload and load of the new filaments along with purging them off the side

[@bilbob7624]

@@UncleJessy in the end the print is One piece, regardless of color?

[@Lance_Tonkin98]

Please tell me you'll be reviewing the Creality K1 Max?

[@802Garage]

I think waste is the main thing that turns me off of MCP. If this machine could be made with three or four separate nozzles that are somehow locked in accurate enough for perfect layer lines still, that would be ideal. Printing would be much faster and there would be no waste. The extra nozzle cost of the machine would eventually pay for itself in filament saved. Could even use a common heater block shared between all nozzles.

[@rajgill7576]

I have heard the purge tower isnt needed since it poops that saves like half the waste

[@marioalcard2559]

I have an old Anet a8 released almost 5 years and I have never had a clog in the extrusor. I don't get why these new printers still have those fails

[@QuicksandDan]

Right out of the gate they were on pace and could have easily dominated the “Steve Jobs Apple” market. But it looks like they’re choosing the “Tim Cook Apple” road. They have the technology and the aesthetics and even as a top of the line offering, it's at a great value. I think the title of the video is a good question. I can’t think of a single circumstance where someone looked at the p1p, p1s or x1 and thought, “These are too expensive. I need a smaller, sloppier, print bed with less options and takes up more space.”

[@justinreschke3642]

I think the biggest group of people that might want this printer are people that would like to do multicolor miniatures and don't want to deal with resin printing. But even then I don't know for sure. I think they're just trying to compete in a slightly different market segment. I have no idea if it will work out for them.

[@davidlopez8338]

I purchased an A1 mini and it’s speed has spoiled to my other printers. Now, I wish I had purchased the A1 for the larger bed size. But, I will admit that the one negative is it not sensing when it’s printing in air because of a clog or no adhesion.

[@sibaroochi]

How do you view their customer support? And how often do they refresh their p1 line? Looking forward to a screen on the P1s

[@boetbraak]

Could you buy the ams mini only and put it on the p1s

[@UncleJessy]

Eventually

[@SALSAiA]

is there a transparent case option for the printer?!

[@matthewbekaert9959]

Compared to the Prusa Mini, this is a steal. The semi assembled prusa mini costs the same as the A1 + AMS Lite, this is a no brainer if you only need a small printer.

[@ChippedBuilds]

I’m gonna buy the mini so I can keep it on my desk. I currently have the prusa mini there for prototyping but the mini has been my least reliable printer since I bought it.

[@Yadiii7]

Do you know if bamboo sells the „filament-swatches“ ? Or were i can buy one ?

[@hightde13]

I still don't understand the purge tower /and/ filament purge. I don't see the need for both. one or the other should be more than enough.

[@sn0opyKS]

What do you mean by "worst kept secret"? I didn't know about the details (beside it being a printer, thanks 3DPN) and I only learned about the details a few hours before the actual release.

[@logicalfundy]

Not sure why the ejection mechanism has to pop filament out uncontrolled from the side - why not drop it off somewhere, into a box of some sort?

[@PieCatArt]

They fixed it the latest update I think and for me it now detects clogs fast

[@Muffledrocket]

Great video as usual. I was hoping for this machine to cut down on filament waste but unfortunately that’s not the case. Hopefully this printer is something to hold us over until the larger printer arrives.

[@malaythakkar8772]

I think there are profiles you can load that reduce the waste

[@admon1234]

Price is just enough to buy me in, amazing printer seems like

[@ForgottenLabyrinth]

Aw man, was really hoping for a large form factor Bambu!

[@kdotaustralia]

Great video! Were you able to test PLA and PETG in the same print as support interface layers? Something I extensively use my X1C and P1S for and this might be a cost effective option to increase production for the smaller parts I'm doing.

[@Printedperformance]

Anyone complaining about the build volume, LuBan exist for a reason 😂

[@Underp4ntz_Gaming_Channel]

Dunno what temps you print with those speeds but with just PLA i set the temp on 250-60 when printing on 200-250mm/s

[@UncleJessy]

I was using the default Generic PLA Profiles in Bambu Studio

[@thebrokenrojin5916]

i was really hoping for a universal ams system to work on any printer. this is cool, but i would easily save for the p1p or p1s over this

[@AlbertoMartinez765]

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't eventually create a Fit Most Printers Multi Color Extruder kit at some point IF they Don't Creality will.

[@thebrokenrojin5916]

@@AlbertoMartinez765 that's really what I'm hoping for. If they don't by end of year I may just buy the p1p with AMS. Just got the Neptune 4 pro and loving the speed so far

[@mobilechaosyt]

This still could be good for professions who print multicolor but smaller prints. I would love to see an under shelf AMS Lite mount so I can get it out of the way.

[@enhidri160]

Was looking forward to a cool printer, and I’m interested. I’m not totally sold though, it seems.. messy.

[@Hammersmash3dFace]

Very impressive for the price despite the space requirements. However, something can certainly be done over time thanks to community upgrades. I last saw the Prusa MMU build at Tada 3d printing. For the price, a bad joke from Prusa to offer something like this as a DIY kit with printed parts, you assemble it over very many hours or almost days, it consumes much more space and is less reliable. They should really work on this fundamentally. As far as I know, Bambo is also working on a multi-color unit for non-Bambo printers.

[@TaskSwitcherify]

You could hang the tripod / spool holder above the printer on the ceiling 🙂

[@TheAuthor9]

I was really hoping for a larger X-1 carbon printer. What's better, the Bambu P1S or the X-1 carbon?

[@braindedpanda]

say what you will about multi color I feel like this feature has come a long way in a short while and is probably going to pull a lot more laymen to the printing hobby

[@UncleJessy]

Agreed. I do see this as been a great entry point for a lot of people especially when they release the A1 Mini as a stand along printer

[@kathyzieger6207]

Went to the site, how do you get just the filament color set

[@Geeko170]

Would it be possible to make a wall mount for the AMS?

[@shelbyseelbach9568]

Anything is possible.

[@Raytenecks]

"I just have not had the best luck with brand new 3d printers"... This kind of stuff is what I want to hear, because I don't have the best luck 3d printers in general, and I'm always looking to see how a new one will perform.

[@calebmoak186]

I cant believe it, they actually did it.

[@boboscurse4130]

Can the AMS lite go on a shelf above the printer?

[@eriorellana89]

can you still do multi color prints without the ams? if you change the spool manually?

[@DanielMaritz-fb5ub]

Yes, you can do that with nearly every printer

[@xXGeko1Xx]

I’m actually in the midst of purchasing the combo. I used to have an Ender 3 but it completely died on me so I stopped with 3d printing for a bit till I saw the A1 mini

[@user-lx9jm1wo3h]

If you get to keep the printer free of charge, or your agreement is to review the product if they send it to you, you are sponsored, and this is a form of payment.

[@redkingrauri3769]

How's the purge amount on a print for the ams mini VS the standard ams? Maybe a side by side with the same print?

[@ShrimplyAquascaping]

Such a good video

[@nl8345]

I had no idea this is what they teased. But I have the same concern on footprint. I hope (but am not holding my breath) they release some other version of the AMS lite that can wall mount or something, like if it was split in half and head half was mounted with the spools facing out.

[@dannyparker3273]

Hey where'd you get that sick Darth Maul file you were printing?

[@UncleJessy]

@galacticarmory patreon

[@footbal.edits.1324]

Could you please compare this with the elegoo Neptune 4 pro, I'm looking for my first printer and I don't know what I should get.

[@xnitropunkx]

Not sure why everyone thought we were getting a larger printer. None of the teases they did indicated that in anyway and they surely would have had larger build size be the first tease if that was the case.

[@UncleJessy]

Yeah i think everyone was just hoping for bigger

[@Waltkat]

Seems to me, if I wanted a small printer for a print farm and didn't need multi-color, a KP3S would make more sense. Same print volume, great print quality, uses standard off the shelf parts, touch screen, linear rails, and is priced under $200. Mine has been doing great for a couple of years now and it has never jammed or clogged. Been eyeballing the Bambu P1S for doing ABS and ASA though. Either that or the Creality K1 Max.

[@tgsparkyoriginal]

Thanks for being honest not like other reviewers. The printer alone is a good idea but as a combo it’s too big. Also….why did they call it ‘A1 Mini’ 🤔 there’s no normal size ‘A1’ 🤣🤣

[@adefactoryspa6584]

Can you compare with P1P? in italy p1p costs about 650€ and A1 mini will start in 20 october at 550€

[@joehimes9898]

Would be nice if there were a way to use the original AMS unit with this. I mean, if you already have one, why buy another.

[@DonsArtnGames]

Regarding your clogs: What filament brand were you using when they happened? I have had some brands that would do the EXACT same thing and switching back to my "tried and true" filaments restored performance.

[@UncleJessy]

Bambu PLA, Elegoo PLA, PolyMaker PLA, CookieCad, Sunlu After clearing I was able to get all of them to print again… well some clogged again haha

[@DonsArtnGames]

@@UncleJessy The Elegoos have always clogged up my printers (4 different printers including Bambu's X1C and Ankermake's M5... Gave up trying the other printers after them...) I haven't tried CookieCad yet... Your thoughts on them? edit: Thank you for the reply Uncle Jessy! You're one of the BEST!

[@jolanderz]

Will the combo fit together on a LACK table/in a LACK enclosure? I'm only finding measurements for the printer, not the AMS lite.

[@vinyltheworld4092]

Just curious if we can use this on any machine or is it a walled garden like apple (which is totally fine)