QIDI Tech 1 3D Printer Review

QIDI Tech 1 3D Printer Review

EKoCycle Rating:-
8.9/10
Pros
  • Pretty decent build area
  • Excellent print quality
  • Easy-to-level print bed (heated)
  • Outstanding customer service
Cons
  • Limited LCD interface
  • Non-removable build plate

Before the inception of dual extruder 3d printers, creating geometrically complex or large designs was an issue that everyone came across. 3d printing is not a process that is famous for speed, and complex structures enhanced the problem further. But then, along came a product that was ready to make us change our minds. It was smooth, fast, sure-footed, and overall impressive. It was called the Creator Pro. 

QIDI Tech 1’s claim to fame is that it is everything the Creator was and better. Is it true? Let us dive right to it and find out for ourselves.

How was This Review Made

Before actually writing this up, the team went through a thorough background check, mission reports, and test results. 3d printing forums were scoured with thin combs for proper reviews, experiences, and advice. Current and previous customers were asked about the way they felt about the printer. And many test runs were, of course, conducted. And that is how we gathered all there was to gather here.

Things to Consider Before Buying a 3D Printer

Now, while purchasing a dual extruder printer, it would be wise to consider all your printing requirements beforehand. True, there are various kinds available in the market, but you cannot simply pick one of them at random. Quite a few things should be taken into consideration before finalizing your decision. 

Of course, your budget and the price of your preferred printer is the first thing, followed by the space it occupies. Everybody knows that 3d printing is not a pocket-friendly hobby. And the size of the printer should be in lieu of the area you’ve deemed fit for it.

But apart from that, technicalities are also equally important. For example, the type(s) of filament. It may happen that the printer you choose to go ahead with does not support the kind of filament you prefer. It is also recommended to check out the build space. Having a suitable build area and volume is very important for your future endeavors. 

When you’ve kept all these metrics in hindsight, you’ll be able to get a brilliant, quality product, suiting all your requirements.

QIDI Tech 1 3D Printer Review

Quality Prints at Moderate Price

Qidi Tech 1, the brainchild of a China-based company by the name of Qidi Tech, was launched in 2015. At first glance, its design looks like a remake or upgrade, reminiscent of the popular FlashForge Creator Pro.

 And while nobody can deny the similarity of the two devices, Qidi Tech 1 is undoubtedly a lot less expensive than it. As far as recommendations go, it is a go-to printer for hobbyists and amateurs/beginners. 

Best Features and Benefits

Let us begin with the specifications. The volume of the printer is 9.1 x 5.9 x 5.9 in, and a print area of 230mm x 150mm x 150mm. It weighs 48 ½ pounds (about 22 kgs), and the diameter of the filament is an impressive (for its size) 1.75 mm. It (obviously) has two extruders, both with a diameter of 0.4 mm each.

With a print resolution ranging from 100 to 300 microns, it supports all kinds of filament, including ABS, PLA, PETG, PVA, TPU, and Nylon, among others. It is effortless to connect, supporting both USB devices and SD cards. However, it does not feature WiFi connectivity.

If any movie title could be used to describe the design of this printer, it would be Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. Yes, the Qidi Tech 1 houses a fully enclosed dual extruder printer within a rigid metal frame. On top of that, it uses tensile spray paint to make the machine more durable and the process more stable. 

Both its sides are equipped with handles to assist in portability. The top hinged door, transparent side panels, and the cover are all composed of acrylic. The machine footprint is increased by the spool holders being situated at the back of the printer, unlike some other printers we know. A major inconvenience, however, is the power switch. It is fixed at the back, thus negating any chance of placing the printer against a wall or in corners. 

From within, the Qidi Tech 1 has a heated aluminum print bed, and an automatic LED lighting system. The lights come to life as soon as you switch the machine on, and remain on as long as it is in use. There is also an in-built constant temperature device, which makes printing with ABS filament a lot easier.

First off, the package. The Qidi Tech 1 comes properly packed in a neat little box. The box includes everything you might need, even tools and spare parts. A printed start-up manual is attached within, along with a user instructions guide. It is better not to speak upon the perfection level of the grammar used, but it is undeniably legible. Anyway, if you face trouble understanding the language, you can always watch how to set it up on YouTube. 

Any old-timer would agree that unpacking each part out of the box and assembling them is a tedious task, and sometimes can go horribly wrong. Well, not with this one. Most parts of the Qidi Tech 1 come pre-assembled. Some assorted vital and spare parts do come unhinged, for precautionary measures, but they are pretty easy to set up. The total time taken from unpacking the box to switching it on for use is less than an hour. 

A piece of advice. Seasoned printing enthusiasts might not be pleased with the starter PLA and ABS filament and the glue which comes with the printer. The filaments might be sub-standard, and the adhesive can be too sticky. But it should be okay for beginners to try their hands on and practice. The installation of the rest of the parts is a pretty straightforward process. 

A significant drawback is that Qidi Tech 1 does not have automatic bed leveling, meaning that one has to level the bed each time manually. A piece of leveling paper is included for the same in the package. The process is pretty simple and should not take more than a couple of minutes, even for a first-timer. Now, you’re set to go. The inclusive SD card features some test designs, but you can print your own designs straight away.

Of all the 3d printer companies you’ve had the pleasure (read misfortune) of calling, the Qidi Tech customer service team is probably the best you can encounter. They reply as soon as possible, are efficient with their problem-solving skills, and are courteous. 

The company has been called the best in the business for Customer Service, and it is not difficult to see why. Unlike some other representatives, the people at Qidi seem genuinely happy to help their customers out. 

The warranty, however, lasts only for six months. But even in that area, Qidi does not lag behind and is quick to provide support, spare parts replacement, and step by step technical assistance. Full marks for that.

Every new 3d printer needs some adjustments (usually achieved via trial and error) to reach its optimum capacity. With this equation in place, the first few prints are bound not to be perfect. Well, Qidi Tech 1 is no different. 

To begin with, the print surface adhesion might not be up to the mark. There are two main reasons for this. One, the glue provided by Qidi is not very good. And two, even good quality glue requires a few prints to get the hang of the surface, somewhat akin to a break-in period. 

But once the tune-up is complete, the Qidi Tech 1 is a roller-coaster joyride. Equally adept in using both the single and dual extruder modes, this efficient machine gives out brilliant, neat, and accurate print results.

The general quality of the prints that Qidi Tech 1 generates is good. The surfaces are pretty smooth, and the inherent details are rich enough. Some initial troubles might present themselves, but in the long run, it is a sturdy, reliable machine. 

Once you start using it regularly, the quality of the prints continues to amaze and regale you for a long time.

Pros: Things We Love!​

  • Rigid metal frame with magnetic side and top panels
  • Pretty decent build area
  • Excellent print quality
  • Easy-to-level print bed (heated)
  • Magnetic side panels and top cover
  • Outstanding customer service

Cons: Points of Improvement

  • Limited LCD interface
  • Non-removable build plate
  • Does not have WiFi connectivity

Alternatives to QIDI TECH X Smart 3D Printer

1. FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer

You might remember that the Qidi design is pretty similar to the Creator Pro. However, they have a few main differences, apart from the fact that the Qidi model is less expensive.

 Firstly, The Creator has a larger chip than the one on the QiDi, which features the standard chip. But this difference doesn’t matter much, as far as the performance is considered. 

The second difference rests in QiDi’s advantage. The FlashForge is an enclosed machine that cannot be tampered with. But the side panels of the Qidi are screwable acrylic panels. If one works mainly with PLA, one can remove the panels to have access from both sides, enabling ease of use and better efficiency. Last but not least, the FlashForge has a large spool holder, working only with its specific size. The Qidi, on the other hand, is much more versatile, having smaller spool holders. 

2. BIBO 2 3D Printer

Honestly speaking, it would be unfair to compare these two. At first glance, BIBO is clearly superior to Qidi. For starters, it has an inbuilt WiFi module. The other big gun (pin intended) is its laser engraving module.

 Last, it allows you to print diverse objects easily by printing them in different filament types and colors. That is how a dual extruder is put to complete use. Not to mention that it has an inbuilt sensor for getting the colors right or changing the filaments. 

But as all good things go, this too comes at a price. And that too, a steep one. The BIBO is a professional machine and is thus pretty expensive. It is not recommended for amateurs or first-timers. 

3. Geetech New A20M 3D Printer

The Geetech A20M is a good printer in itself. It has a compact, modular design, ideal for ease of assembly. It can also pause and resume printing without damaging the design.

Another salient feature is that Geetech can print four types of prints with various color combos. 

The Geetech A20M is more friendly to the pocket than the others, but it is not without its shortcomings. That is not to say that it does not have its benefits, but they are already available with any run of the mill dual extruder printer.

You can also Read: Qidi Tech X Smart Reviews

Final Verdict

Qidi Tech 1 is an excellent 3D printer. It is easy to set up, easy to operate, and produces smooth and accurate prints. Its quality can be ascertained from the fact that it is used for quite a few commercial purposes. If you are looking for a cost-effective, reliable, and durable 3D printer, you need not go any further than the Qidi Tech 1.