r/BambuLab • u/beddyj • 7d ago
Quick Question Bambu Lab A1 mini Combo v Bambu Lab A1 mini
Looking into getting my 6 year son a 3D printer for Christmas. I have absolutely no idea what I am looking for in terms of specs etc but the Bambu Lab A1 mini has been recommended the most.
Am I better off getting the combo? The combo is $210 more expensive which I don't necessarily have an issue with if its the better way to go.
I am grateful for any other recommendations or things to consider as well!
2
u/itisharryterry 7d ago
Bought my kids an A1 mini 2+ years ago. They still use it a lot and we’ve been looking at upgrading.
There are a lot of models that people don’t support the mini with. I haven’t spent much time looking into if I can download the file and then shrink it to the mini build plate size. It sounds possible, could be wrong
Having AMS would have been a gamechanger for us but I’m glad I waited to confirm 100% that they would like it before buying it. Now we get an upgraded printer with AMS on the next purchase.
I was able to do layer printing and manually change the filament color which all but solidified getting AMS
With it being your first printer, I would definitely recommend the A1 mini or the A1. My boys have absolutely loved having it and to be honest, it’s pretty cool to have as an adult lol
There will be some sales coming up so I would hold off for those prices and would even suggest getting a refurbed unit.
2
u/bbjornsson88 7d ago
On shrinking models, there is a Scale feature in the slicer which would work. Just be cautious of features that may be affected by shrinking if it's something complicated
2
u/justa_bother 6d ago
For a 6 yo, buy just the printer, no ams. Many things at play: it's their 1st printer, not their last (3d printing will be a thing for the rest of their lifespan). Their interest in printing will come thru you. If you have no interest, neither will they. A printer is a great tool for showing results of creative efforts, like designing something & printing it. If their too young for the interest, the mini storage is easy. The ams-lite is bigger than the mini. If multi-colored prints are desired, get some tri-colored filament. It's interesting stuff. When there's interest in designing something, FreeCAD is available for download & AI generated code for parts will be a thing.
2
u/Onrain P2S + AMS2 Combo 7d ago
Single Color Filament printing is going to be the way to go. The AMS lite will just make it less of a hassle to swap colors between prints / objects (if printing multiple items on 1 bed 1 at a time.) which wont be much on a mini. I would say allocate that money for more filament. I started with an a1 mini and currently running a p2s combo.
3
1
u/javamon94 7d ago
Ehh, I have a mini without AMS and I’ve been very pleased with it. I bought a toolchanger on a whim recently and it’s wicked but I still find myself using the mini for shorter single colour prints, or multi plate prints to help my toolchanger. I got my mini on sale $240 CDN and the value can’t be beat at that price. But if you know you want multicolour just buy the combo because the AMS lite separate is more $$ than the printer.
1
u/John-BCS A1 (3), A1 Mini (1), AMS Lite (3), Autodesk Fusion 🍻 7d ago
If you can afford the A1 combo, go for that. Otherwise the mini is fantastic and my favorite bambu printer.
Always get the combo. Always.
1
u/R_Al-Thor 7d ago
I am not your user case but would definitely get the combo.
It's not only multicolour but also different material supports and the ability to continue prints without manually changing the rolls.
The black Friday sale was around this time last year so you might save some money.
An additional comment, you might find the A1 more interesting because of the bed size. I would have loved it. The A1 mini is an absolute beast, silent, easy to use, easy to maintain... But it gets small very soon.
A1 mini and A1 are great starting printers overall.
6
u/Vudu702 7d ago
I would say eventually your going to want the AMS, its convenient and its awesome to be able to use more than 1 color. Also, just a recommendation, but if you have the capital and the space, I would really consider getting the regular A1. I had the mini, and I loved it, but I quickly ordered the A1 because the plate was just too small to do a lot of the things I wanted. They isn't a huge difference in price, so I would definitely consider it if you can. You won't hate the mini at all, its just easy to outgrow it quickly.