Qidi Tech 1 - Replicator 1 clone

[Pgpalmer]

Thank you! Strange that they wouldn't have mentioned needing to remove the bottom plate to switch the voltage, but other than that the instructions are pretty good. I am looking forward to trying it later now that it is all ready to go.

[Pgpalmer]

So.. I have been having a bit of trouble as the software included doesn't seem to work with my MacBook, but my Astrobox arrived yesterday and it seems to work great! (Well, it is still on the first print, but I am excited!). I used a 'Creator Pro' profile to set it up. The power plug included with the Astrobox failed, but other than that set up was good and printing from my iPad to the qidi worked great

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[rcleav]

I'm all windows 10 so did my first print with RepG and also tried MakerWare but quickly made the switch to Simplify3D and did't look back. BTW Simplify3D works with Macs.
Just finished adding a glass build plate so will see how that works. Some of my first builds where Filament guides and filament spool adapters. Which helped prevent filament tangles.
I was looking at the Astrobox site last night and was thinking about building one. So I would definitely be interested in your Astrobox experience.

[HiloDB1]

I'm all windows 10 so did my first print with RepG and also tried MakerWare but quickly made the switch to Simplify3D and did't look back. BTW Simplify3D works with Macs.
Just finished adding a glass build plate so will see how that works. Some of my first builds where Filament guides and filament spool adapters. Which helped prevent filament tangles.
I was looking at the Astrobox site last night and was thinking about building one. So I would definitely be interested in your Astrobox experience.

Have any pics and info on how you did your glass build plate? Im interested in going to a glass build plate as well. Going to be making the move over to S3D soon as it looks like a solid software.

[Pgpalmer]

I bought the ready-made one - $149. I was looking at the kit on Adafruit for $75, but they were sold out and I think the processor is better on the ready-made Astrobox. Anyways, I was having some software issues and just tried using the Astrobox webpage, and it seems to work fine. I couldn't get the bed to heat at first, but preheated it manually using the controls on the front of the printer, and now the bed control seems to work on the Astrobox browser - early days so I am not sure.
My first print looked good for the first half and then slid off of its spot, so failed. I have now preheated the bed (didn't use heat on the bed for the first print) and installed the acrylic cover. We will see how this one does!

[RetroCreo]

Can you modify the firmware on this Qidi Tech to install an E3d Hotend kit?

I've had this printer for two months now and it has already paid for itself. It definitely is a workhorse!

It has some quirks with the build quality and design but nothing major and nothing that can't be fixed by turning an allen key.

[Pgpalmer]

I saw the post on Amazon about upgrading the firmware not being a good choice. If I want to pursue it I'll talk to Qidi tech support first - I can barely afford one much less two!

[RetroCreo]

I saw the post on Amazon about upgrading the firmware not being a good choice. If I want to pursue it I'll talk to Qidi tech support first - I can barely afford one much less two!

If it is any consolation, you can get a replacement mainboard on ebay from qidi tech for $85. I'm thinking about getting one just to experiment with.

[Pgpalmer]

If it is any consolation, you can get a replacement mainboard on ebay from qidi tech for $85. I'm thinking about getting one just to experiment with.

That is good to know!

[RetroCreo]

That is good to know!

I got this response from asking how to flash Sailfish onto their motherboards through ebay:

Dear Friend , Our newest motherboard version is 2560 sailfish 7.8. Yours Sincerely, Emily Peng Sales manager Ruian Qidi Technology Co.,Ltd