Qidi Tech 1 - Replicator 1 clone

[Syd_Khaos]

So now that you have printed all 3 what is your opinion of each?

I'm still trying to learn what all the settings do. Seems like I am still extruding to hot. I read alot before starting and came up with start points for each material. Started at 195c for PLA, 220c for ABS, and 130c for PeTG. I am getting a fair amount of strings, esp during travel. Though I have not printed with the PeTG much yet. The only spool of that I have is clear, got it for some very specific uses.

PLA seems better for artistic and detailed stuff. Seems you can get a much better finish on it using sandpaper and paint(I'm still a ways from experimenting from the vapor bath stuff Ive seen).
ABS seems better for practical applications, it makes better corners than the PLA.

Self-D Kitty!!
Printed this for my sister for her birthday, using the ABS that came with the machine. With a little sanding (220fine) I was able to get a respectable edge and nice points on the earblades.

My next spool order is gonna be some FDA nylon and glow in the dark pla. I'm gonna go buy a polymer Glock and remake all the parts in glow in the dark =)

[sygyzy]

After a weekend of emailing Emily from QIDI Tech, I went ahead and pulled the trigger. i will say that for anyone new reading this thread, do not rely on older pricing information. I see that some people have gotten this for low $600's but when I randomly made an offer for $660 they claimed that shipping prices had gone up so $660 is the lowest they'd take. If you can do better, good for you but $660 for a price I was ok with. Before the machine arrives, I have some questions and they're all related to the print bed/build surface.

1. How many "pieces" is the build platform? I assume it's just one aluminum (?) surface that has the heating element built in right? Does the blue surface that Qidi include come permanently adhered to the platform? Or is it some sort of sticker with adhesive? Or does it just stick on using surface tension (ie like a parking sticker on a windshield)?

2. Assuming the blue surface is removable, and I get a glass bed, should I place it on top of the base (aluminum) build surface? Or over the blue surface? In other words base + glass. Or base + blue surface + glass? Do the shims and spacers on Thingiverse assume you are placing the glass plate on top of the naked platform or on top of the platform with the blue surface? (I realize that we're probably talking mm's here but I am still curious).

3. If I get a glass surface, do I still need to use things like blue painter's tape (can blue tape even stand the heat from a heated platform?), kapton, hairspray, glue stick etc?

4. How does the Maghold product work? Do you permanently replace your build plate with theirs and then there's some sort of flexible metal surface that attaches on top? Does heat conduct properly this way? Does the top removable surface have the blue surface permanently bonded to it or can you choose what surface you mount? For example, is it possible to use Maghold with a removable top glass plate?

Thanks!

[rcleav]

1. How many "pieces" is the build platform? I assume it's just one aluminum (?) surface that has the heating element built in right? Does the blue surface that Qidi include come permanently adhered to the platform? Or is it some sort of sticker with adhesive? Or does it just stick on using surface tension (ie like a parking sticker on a windshield)?

2. Assuming the blue surface is removable, and I get a glass bed, should I place it on top of the base (aluminum) build surface? Or over the blue surface? In other words base + glass. Or base + blue surface + glass? Do the shims and spacers on Thingiverse assume you are placing the glass plate on top of the naked platform or on top of the platform with the blue surface? (I realize that we're probably talking mm's here but I am still curious).

3. If I get a glass surface, do I still need to use things like blue painter's tape (can blue tape even stand the heat from a heated platform?), kapton, hairspray, glue stick etc?

Thanks!

The build plate Assy. is actually 3 separate parts the steel support arms, the heating board and a 1/4" thick aluminum plate.
The blue buildtec type material is glued on and it comes with a spare one.
I use 1/4" glass plates directly on the aluminum plate and have removed the blue buildtec material.
I have several swappable glass plates held by two corner clips that I printed. I only use Aqua-Net hair spray Purple can to treat the glass plates outside of the machine. Aqua-Net works with PLA, ABS and PETG. Build plate temps very according to plastic type.
Can't help with Maghold I don't have one

Looks like there ebay shipping price went up from when I looked at it last week.

[sygyzy]

The build plate Assy. is actually 3 separate parts the steel support arms, the heating board and a 1/4" thick aluminum plate.
The blue buildtec type material is glued on and it comes with a spare one.
I use 1/4" glass plates directly on the aluminum plate and have removed the blue buildtec material.

How did you remove the blue surface that was glued to the aluminum?

[KludgeGuru]

How did you remove the blue surface that was glued to the aluminum?

It is just a big sticker and it isn't very difficult to peel off.

[rcleav]

How did you remove the blue surface that was glued to the aluminum?

It may be easier if you warm the build plate up and then scrape peel it off.

[sygyzy]

Do we all think that the blue surface is the same or similar to BuilldTak aka Ultem aka PEI?

[migdobbs]

After a weekend of emailing Emily from QIDI Tech, I went ahead and pulled the trigger. i will say that for anyone new reading this thread, do not rely on older pricing information. I see that some people have gotten this for low $600's but when I randomly made an offer for $660 they claimed that shipping prices had gone up so $660 is the lowest they'd take. If you can do better, good for you but $660 for a price I was ok with. Before the machine arrives, I have some questions and they're all related to the print bed/build surface.

1. How many "pieces" is the build platform? I assume it's just one aluminum (?) surface that has the heating element built in right? Does the blue surface that Qidi include come permanently adhered to the platform? Or is it some sort of sticker with adhesive? Or does it just stick on using surface tension (ie like a parking sticker on a windshield)?

2. Assuming the blue surface is removable, and I get a glass bed, should I place it on top of the base (aluminum) build surface? Or over the blue surface? In other words base + glass. Or base + blue surface + glass? Do the shims and spacers on Thingiverse assume you are placing the glass plate on top of the naked platform or on top of the platform with the blue surface? (I realize that we're probably talking mm's here but I am still curious).

3. If I get a glass surface, do I still need to use things like blue painter's tape (can blue tape even stand the heat from a heated platform?), kapton, hairspray, glue stick etc?

4. How does the Maghold product work? Do you permanently replace your build plate with theirs and then there's some sort of flexible metal surface that attaches on top? Does heat conduct properly this way? Does the top removable surface have the blue surface permanently bonded to it or can you choose what surface you mount? For example, is it possible to use Maghold with a removable top glass plate?

Thanks!

The Maghold works by removing the existing build plate with a solid piece of aluminum. I think the aluminum is 1/4" thick as well. This plate has embedded magnets that hold the spring steel in place. The removable plate has a buildtak surface adhered to the steel and it is removable, similar to the blue surface that comes with the printer. You could actually buy spring steel and make more removable surfaces. As far as heat transfer, I think it works rally well. There is good adhesion and a little tweaking needs to be done otherwise the parts might stick a little to well to your surface. I have been thinking about using the spring steel and glue it directly onto a glass surface that way I don't have clips holding the glass. I still have yet to do it but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[rcleav]

I think it's basically the same thing

[sygyzy]

The Maghold works by removing the existing build plate with a solid piece of aluminum. I think the aluminum is 1/4" thick as well.

And this is a drop in solution for the QIDI? I am asking if it's that easy to remove the existing OEM aluminum build plate and drop in the Maghold one?