Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

What have you 3D printed for your TJ?

I did see that, and he's certainly got more experience with those materials than I do. Actually subscribed to his channel when @FarFire70 turned me onto Send-Cut-Send via a video Matt posted (with a discount code). I'm only using the 20mm ammo cans because I had two that were not being used and it's worked out pretty well so far.

I also subscribe to Retropower, a UK-based vehicle restoration/customization/fabrication shop, who recently picked up an X1C for prototyping, place holder part printing as well as finished part development. As far as I can tell, they aren't drying their engineering filaments in ovens for 8 hours before use. Not like moisture's an issue in Britain... :D

Matt's a fun watch and the discount code certainly comes in use. Engineering mixed with 'I want it done - done right is idea but not required' approach.

I saw his Bambu endorsement of their product. My Ender has been collecting dust because I really need something that can do PETG and, if possible, ABS.

With that sale, I may need to take the plunge on the next step... Like has been said, I need more of an appliance and less a tinkering hobby kit at this point.
 
Matt's a fun watch and the discount code certainly comes in use. Engineering mixed with 'I want it done - done right is idea but not required' approach.

I saw his Bambu endorsement of their product. My Ender has been collecting dust because I really need something that can do PETG and, if possible, ABS.

With that sale, I may need to take the plunge on the next step... Like has been said, I need more of an appliance and less a tinkering hobby kit at this point.

I bought my Ender to see if I’d like printing. I like what it produces but I need something better and I want to print the “engineering” materials. Plus I want multicolor and hopefully ease of use.
 
Well, maybe upgrade wasn't the best word to use, kind of is, kind of isn't. The machines are quite obviously based on the same platform, and they share quite a few parts as a result. But there are some notable differences, though these may not be relevant to your specific printing needs/desires.

I've had the P1S for 14 months, I've printed more items than I can remember on it and it's performed pretty much flawlessly for me. Minor issues with some ASA filament, but I'm not convinced it was entirely the printer's fault. Not all filaments are equal and I think the brand I chose might have had something to do with it, though I was able to get it to work by tweaking the machine settings in the slicer a bit. Anyway, in contrast, I've only had the X1C for 1.5 months and only had the time to print maybe half a dozen items total, with PLA, ABS and PETG-HF. I'm assholes and elbows with work right now and haven't had much time to dig into it.

I'll start by saying the P1S is a very capable printer and can be tweaked to print with most of the same materials as the X1C. Bambu Labs parts are pretty reasonably priced, so upgrading the hot end and extruder gears to hardened steel won't break the bank. I had originally planned to simply add an AMS to my P1S, but the more I read about the X1C, the more I was interested in checking it out. In the end I went for the X1C/AMS combo.
  • The displays and the enclosures are probably the first differences you'll notice.
    • The P1S display is perfectly serviceable, though the larger touchscreen on the X1C is pretty handy, especially when configuring the AMS directly (via the machine, not the app, etc.).
    • The P1S enclosure is plastic whereas the X1C is aluminum, and though I doubt this has any major effect on the printing process, it certainly gives the X1C a slightly higher quality feel. There may be a difference in how the two materials react with internal chamber temps, though I suspect if there is a difference, it's minimal.
  • The X1C has an improved camera to monitor prints in real time. Allegedly, the X1C's camera has the ability to detect print failures as well. I don't monitor my prints in real time via the camera on either printer, but the X1C's video is higher quality should I need/want to use it for some other reason.
  • The "fancy AI bullshit" (;) for the record, I'm not particularly enamored with AI in general). I can't say how much the AI factors or how intelligent it actually is as of yet, but I do think the micro Lidar works well both in bed leveling and first layer checking, a feature not available on the P1S. While not critical to getting good prints, it may well help detect/prevent failures. Fortunately this has not been an issue so far during my limited time with the X1C. She's run like a champ so far.
  • Both printers can accept MicroSD cards, though the X1C has an addtional 4GB of internal storage. Probably not a deal breaker or maker for most people but it's a difference and bears mention.
  • For me, one of the biggest draws was the difference in max build plate temperature. Running on 110v, there's a 20 degree Celsius difference in max build plate temps (P1S=100, X1C=120). I have found printing with certain filaments, I needed to bump up the plate temps from the default print profiles to solve some print issues regarding adhesion and warpage on the P1S, but was only able to push it up to about 102 (with an inert error message on the display for the print duration). While this did improve the print issues, it didn't resolve them completely. I think the extra temp headroom on the X1C may well prove useful.
I don't think you can go wrong with either machine. That said, if you're only looking to print with filaments like PLA, ASA and ABS, you can produce good prints and save some coin by going with the P1S. It's a damn good printer for the money.

Hopefully the above helps. I don't think I left anything out but there's enough folks here with the X1C, I'm sure they'll fill in the blanks if I did. 👍

Did you use the P1S on your air cabin filter box?
 
What filament are most folks going with for their Jeep parts? I've printed some PETG parts but haven't had them in the Jeep yet for heat (engine bay & general environmental) to see how they fare.

I've heard ABS is very temperamental to get a decent print. Not sure if the Bambu's resolve some of this with the P1S/X1C.
 
Forced obsolescence, this is a problem both in hardware and software....and it's getting worse.

Yep, it is. Turns out I don't have anything even CLOSE to being able to run SolidWorks, even this "maker" edition - BUT - they have an online "cloud" version that you can use with anything with a browser, which would probably be plenty good for my needs.
 
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Thanks for the reply!

No problem at all. It was either answer your question or punch in and work more OT, decided I've worked enough for today. :)

I personally do not care for the internal camera difference

I suppose it's handy if you do run into an issue while printing and want to see what happened. I haven't used any of the recorded video to date.

The first layer thing is cool and all, but I am so used to just setting it manually that I have no problem taking 2 minutes every once in a while to relevel.

You won't need to do this with the P1S. It levels itself just like the X1C, just uses different technology to do it. When you get into a printer like this, it tends to take care of itself. As others have said, it's more or less an appliance that works out of the box and needs no tinkering. You'll likely be running a test print within 20 minutes of unboxing.

The display is not a problem

The only major benefit I've notice so far has to do with configuring filaments in the AMS. I suspect everything else is down to "creature comfort" with the X1C display. The P1S display will get the job done.

I really have no need to go past ASA for any printing means, I currently do PLA and PETG for all my projects. Just really want an enclosed printer to handle ABS finally

I never tried PETG in my P1S, but it worked well with ABS, slightly less so with ASA (again, could be the filament I purchased). I've printed a lot of ABS on my P1S, though I do max out the bed temp to improve the prints.

A couple of ABS prints from my P1S; a TJ cabin air filter assembly and some magwell safety blocks for an AR-10 and AR-15

IMG_20231103_131842432.jpg IMG_20240320_035134868.jpg

Have you tried any of the CF or other fancy hybrids?

I've got a couple of spools of ABS-GF and PA6-CF in the stash for some designs I'm working on, haven't used either as of yet. I'm keen to see how they work out. I've seen mixed results printing with PETG (not specific to BL printers). I've never printed straight PETG on either the P1S or X1C, but I did try a spool of Bambu Labs PETG-HF (high flow) in the X1C and it worked rather well.

A one-off receiver cradle to support extra AR uppers in the gun locker printed in PETG-HF

IMG_20240928_113554044.jpg

My Prusa is unhappy with using them even though it has an upgraded hotend and hotend. Must be an issue with the Prusa just not liking hybrid/exotic filled materials. Hell even wood filled causes it to just stop thanks to nozzle clogging.

There are a lot of factors that can effect the outcome, filament brand and composition, enclosure temps, hot end temps, nozzle diameter, printing speed as well as things that may be printer-specific. As a side note, faster isn't always better with current printer technology and that goes for the P1S and X1C, too. Though they are impressively fast...

Also I jokingly called it AI Bullshit because its an overused term and really not necessary when its just an algorithm scanning images. "My car has AI, My phone has AI" blah blah, its all algorithms and databases.

A fair bit of that is marketing, nothing else. Say "AI" and things will sell better with a certain sect of our society. I liken it to an organ grinder monkey seeing a set of shiny car keys... :sneaky:
 
@Zorba here is a video from the same YT guy that @chili_pepper mentioned earlier.

I don't get any benefits from him, I just enjoy and learn a bunch from his channel...


He has other videos too where he's used various scanners and leverages those scans for CAD design.

—-

As was mentioned earlier, cheap is cheap...

I want a 3D scanner so badly because I need to design/fab a support system for my new air intake. A scanner would be amazingly beneficial so I could go into CAD and then use Send-Cut-Send.

I ran into the issue of cost for the required fidelity. So I've abandoned the likelihood of using a scanner/CAD and will bend/test/bend metal when I get to the support in this project.
 
Thanks... :mad: Way to go adding a new opportunities for uses of the 3D printer I didn't have in my mind already... :D

That's how it goes. :D I balked at buying one for a long time, and I'm glad I did in the end. I was really concerned that I wouldn't make use of it enough to justify the purchase. I had some projects in mind beforehand, but feared it might end up collecting dust in a few months....clearly not the case.

The ability to solve a problem with a design, on your own, withing a few hours...and to be able to do so anytime, day or night...yep, sign me up!
 
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That's how it goes. :D I balked at buying one for a long time, and I'm glad I did in the end. I was really concerned that I wouldn't make use of it enough to justify the purchase. I had some projects in mind before hand, but feared it might end up collecting dust in a few months....clearly not the case.

The ability to solve a problem with a design, on your own, withing a few hours...and to be able to do so anytime, day or night...yep, sign me up!

This yet another 'just empty your wallet' hobby... And I seem to find those like a thirst man finds water...

I picked up the Ender last August after years of holding out watching others use printers. I then upgraded it with all the recommended goodies.

The Ender is a great into printer and well worth the cost and learning experience. I have an much better understanding of 3D printing by having one and learned a lot about materials, plates, etc. While it may be a money sink, this is a great and important learning tool for anyone looking to get into 3D printing -> Start with hobby quality and:
  • See if it is for you
  • See how often you'll use it
  • Learn about how to use materials, printing techniques, etc
  • Decide if you want to learn CAD -> If you don't, really think if you need something better because the benefits are multiplied when you can create vs just printing what is available online
 
Ive watched probably every single P1S and X1C video on youtube already 🤣

Just need to see if I can budget the price difference currently.

Well, if you haven't watched this particular one, the presenter has been involved with 3D printing at a pretty high level. He currently runs his own printing business, and while his farm used to be dominated by Prusa, he's now changed up for the P1S as his go-to farm machine.
 
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This yet another 'just empty your wallet' hobby... And I seem to find those like a thirst man finds water...

I picked up the Ender last August after years of holding out watching others use printers. I then upgraded it with all the recommended goodies.

The Ender is a great into printer and well worth the cost and learning experience. I have an much better understanding of 3D printing by having one and learned a lot about materials, plates, etc. While it may be a money sink, this is a great and important learning tool for anyone looking to get into 3D printing -> Start with hobby quality and:
  • See if it is for you
  • See how often you'll use it
  • Learn about how to use materials, printing techniques, etc
  • Decide if you want to learn CAD -> If you don't, really think if you need something better because the benefits are multiplied when you can create vs just printing what is available online

I agree completely. I started by having a friend in Kalifornistan print a design for me. I was so impressed by the finished part he sent back, I bought the SUNLU within days. While I would NOT recommend the printer overall, it did alright with PLA and gave me enough of a taste for the technology at a relatively cheap buy in price to know that this was something I wanted more of, and that a greater investment likely wouldn't go to waste.
 
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I never tried PETG in my P1S, but it worked well with ABS, slightly less so with ASA (again, could be the filament I purchased). I've printed a lot of ABS on my P1S, though I do max out the bed temp to improve the prints.

A couple of ABS prints from my P1S; a TJ cabin air filter assembly and some magwell safety blocks for an AR-10 and AR-15

View attachment 567838 View attachment 567839

I like that you did the cabin cover since I just bought one from a newer model but admittedly yours Looks a LOT better.
 
There was a download link here in the forums but I can't seem to find it now...
I had it bookmarked:

 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator