What is MakerWorld? This is like Bambu’s shop for finding 3D Prints. Most of these prints will be FREE for you to download to your printer and print out. Literally thousands of prints can be found here and are all set for Bambu printers. You can view MakerWorld for free without even owning a printer, making it a great place to visit while waiting on your printer to arrive!

VIP NOTE: I should mention that anything you print that will go inside the AMS or Printer should be printed with PETG filament that will withstand the heat produced by the machine while operating!

Desiccant Boxes

Desiccant boxes are stored inside the AMS Pro2, in the front and back areas. You fill these with Silica Gel beads, which help to control the humidity inside the AMS and the filaments placed inside. You can find a variety of styles; some hold the humidity meter while others do not. NOTE that these need to be printed in PETG filament due to the heat produced by the machine while in operation.

Printer Decorations

As I mentioned in another post, you can find all sorts of decoration ideas for your specific printer in MakerWorld. It’s not only fun but a great way to learn and experience your printer when you first get it. Some are simply decorative, and some are functional. Take a day to pick out a few things and have FUN!

Here is a look at a couple of things I printed right away. These accents were all printed with the Sunlu Matte PETG Sky Blue filament.

These tiny hole covers might seem silly, but I have noticed that tiny pieces of filament can fall down in this area, and these covers can prevent them from falling into the areas, possibly causing an issue for the printer.

Not for decor, but a very useful tool is this bed scraper. The printer comes with a metal scraper, though it’s not recommended as it will ruin the printing plate! This printable scraper has a removable plastic end, so when it becomes dull, you can simply print a replacement!

1. Screen Edge Cover
2. Handle Decor
3. Dust protectors for the bottom of the printer
4. Hot End Fan Cover Options

Here is a link to my collection of other ideas for printer decor items. I continue to add to this collection as I run across things. While I may not print them all, it’s nice to have them in a collection till I have time to look into them further.

Once you create an account in MakerWorld, you can scroll and search through the files, then create a themed collection area where you can save files you like. It’s such a time saver for when you want to print something specific or for a quick gift.

So have fun finding ways to decorate your own printer, and please leave a comment below if you find something to print that you think I might like!!

Till next time . . .

Teri

What extra items should you also purchase with the machine . . .

As with any machines made for crafting, there are always “other items” you normally need to purchase. Some are necessary, and some are more for convenience. One of the first things you will purchase is various colors of filament, which must be kept dry in order to work properly. Filaments should be stored in airtight containers with Silica Gel beads to control the humidity. Humidity meters also stored inside the container help you to know if your filament needs to be dried before use. Wet filament can cause all sorts of issues when trying to print, so these extras are very much a necessity. Buying Silica Gel beads in bulk is a great option, as they change color when they’re no longer working and then can be dried and reused. Wire cutters are needed to clip the end of the filament before loading it into the printer so that it feeds properly. Last but not least, if you want to record timelapse videos of your prints, you will need a USB Flash Drive. You don’t have to have a flash drive, but it is a fun option!

Here is a look at the items you will need to purchase right away when purchasing filament.

I have linked the specific items that I purchased, but you can find many different versions of these items available on Amazon.

Bambu Labs P2S Combo Printer at Best Buy

In last week’s post, I mentioned the type of printer I purchased and the reasons why I chose this specific model. The “combo” option includes the very top portion you see in the photo where filaments are placed and ready to be used. This is called the AMS Pro 2. The AMS feeds the filament into the machine for printing and holds four filaments at a time. It also has the ability to dry filament! If you find your filament is too wet, you can set the machine to dry the filaments for a specific amount of time. This is best done overnight if you intend to print the next day. It can not dry the filament while printing.

I strongly suggest getting the combo option if you purchase this model of printer.

I hope that you are finding these posts on 3D Printing informative and fun. Please feel free to use the comment section below to ask me questions or post your own experience and tips! Your input will help others reading this series!

Next Up . . . What filaments should you buy right away

Till next time . . .

Teri

At the time, or shortly after purchasing your 3D Printer you will want to purchase some filaments to work with. There are several types of filaments availalble for varied uses as well as many different brands. They range from beginner-friendly to industrial engineering materials. What you purchase depends on what you want to do and there are various things to consider before purchasing. Hopefully the following information will help you to decide what works for you.

Types of Filament

I mainly print PLA and PETG for home decor and miniatures. Printed toys are mentioned a lot with these materials, but I question toys for children who may put the items in their mouths. I think better safe than sorry! You need to make your own choice on that subject.

• PLA – This is the easiest filament to use and what most beginners start with. It’s the most popular type of filament sold. It prints at low temperatures with minimal warping, making it ideal for visual models, toys, and decor items. It is safe to print indoors and has little to no smell, depending on how sensitive you are to smells. I am super sensitive and have not noticed any smell when printing with PLA. Note that it is not food safe and is sensitive to heat, so suggested for items placed outdoors in the heat or direct hot sun. You will find more colors of PLA than any other type of filament.
• PETG – Combines the ease of PLA with higher strength, chemical stability, and moisture resistance. It works well for outdoor prints and durable mechanical parts. It has little to no smell and is safe for indoor printing. There is a good variety of colors available in PETG on the market.
• ABS / ASA – Tough, impact-resistant, petroleum-based materials that offer high heat resistance. It is favored for outdoor use due to its superior UV resistance. It requires a higher temperature and an enclosed printer. I don’t suggest this material for indoor printing unless you have a very good ventalation! There will be a smell with this material, and not great for breathing fumes.
• TPU – This is an elastic, rubber-like material used for flexible objects like phone cases, grips, and such. Must have very good ventilation!
• NYLON – An engineering-grade polyamide with high tensile strength, wear resistance, and toughness, ideal for functional gears and mechanical components. It requires high temperatures and strict moisture control. Another material I don’t suggest for indoor printing, and it does require very good ventilation.

Bambu Labs Filament Guide is worth taking a look at!

Brands of Filaments

There are a variety of filament brands on the market today. I suggest that you try several and choose what you like best. Below is my experience with several brands I have used so far.

Bambu Labs Filaments – If you don’t mind the wait for shipping, Bambu Labs filaments can be purchased online, and they frequently have a good sale going on. You can get good discounts based on the number of filaments you purchase. Be aware that they can often be limited in stock. You can also search and find Bambu filaments on Amazon, but the choices can be limited. I have heard that some big-box local stores are now carrying this brand. An advantage of using Bambu filaments is that they contain an RFID code on the spool, allowing the printer to read and set the type of filament in the software.

I have used the following other brands of filaments with the same success as the Bambu Labs filaments and highly suggest that you try them out!

• Polymaker – This is another popular brand that I want to try out but have not purchased any so far. It does get great reviews. They also have discounts based on the amount of purchase. You can also find a good selection of Polymaker filament on Amazon.
• Sunlu – I picked up one filament from Amazon and had a great experience with it. A lot of people seem to like it.
• Hobby Lobby Filament – Stock tends to clear out quickly. They also sell refillable filament spools! It is nice to be able to just run out locally and pick up filament instead of waiting for shipping.
• Michaels Filament – Very limited stock and not a lot of colors. In-store shopping is better than online. I only recently purchased a black PLA from Michaels and have not tried it yet but reports are that it prints well.

NOTE: Some filaments will come on a plastic spool while others might be on a thick cardboard spool. I have used both without any issues. When looking at filaments, you will often see them available on a spool or as a refill. Be sure to read the descriptions and be sure what you are purchasing. As for spools, you can find printable spools in MakerWorld for various filament brands. Some brands sell refillable plastic spools as well.

Specialty Filaments

I have tried out a few specialty filaments such as PLA Marble, PLA Silk, and PLA Wood. Silk has no issues, but I do see it mentioned that with Marble and Wood filaments, the grit in them can wear down the nozzle. It is suggested that if you like to print these a lot, you should invest in the Hardened Steel Nozzle.

Here is a look at printed items with two of these filaments. I do love both of these!

Table and chair legs printed in Hobby Lobby PLA Silk Gold

Tabletop and chair seats printed in Hobby Lobby PLA Marble White

There are a lot of YouTube videos on various filaments. Several channels work with a variety of filaments and show finished projects using the filaments. Get comfy and browse YouTube for some of these channels!

I hope this information gets you a bit informed and started with choosing your first filaments. I will make some update posts as I try out new filaments in the future.

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Till next time . . .

Teri