Newbie discussion: Experience buying and using a 3D printer

In the past few years, the movement of buying and using personal 3D printers has become increasingly popular and growing strongly in Vietnam. I'm just a "newbie", I've done some research but so far I've only stopped at the level of reading - listening - knowing, but haven't actually had a chance to experience it myself. However, last month I decided to buy one. The motivation to decide to buy was simply surfing through a few videos about 3D printing and sharing from some experienced members on Youtube, finding it so interesting that I decided to buy it. A new 3D printer at the time I write this article June 2026 is only around 7-10 million, even if you accept to buy a refurbished version from the company, or 2nd from the user, you can easily buy it for only 3-5 million for popular brands like Bambu Lab, Creality or Elegoo. I didn't dare ask my wife for money. I had a spare ROG Ally Z1e Gaming Handheld PC that was sitting idle for a few months because I no longer had time to play games. I decided to sell it for 8 million VND, and ended up buying a refurbished Bambu Lab A1 3D printer from the company for 6 million VND, along with 2 rolls of PLA Lite plastic for 170,000 VND/roll. The total cost of buying it was less than 6,500,000 VND.

Bambu Lab A1 Refurbished

First, we need to talk about the reasons why I chose Bambu Lab A1 refurbished. As far as I know, there are two main types of 3D printers: FDM and Resin, each type has different printing methods and needs, strengths and weaknesses. Although Resin printing has high detail, the process of processing the finished product takes time and requires separate space because the evaporation properties of Resin will be quite toxic, it also requires alcohol treatment and UV irradiation, the high cost of Resin plastic, etc. I eliminated it from the beginning because I'm not that pro yet, my need is simply for personal gaming use.

Makerworld app interface on the phone, these items can be shared with free printable files for personal use. If you plan to do business, you need to buy a copyright. I initially considered buying the A1 Mini version, but after a few times reading reviews and seeing suggestions from the community, I realized that the A1 Mini version has a rather small print bed of only 18 x 18 x 18 cm. Maybe it is suitable for some small printing needs, but for just a little more than 1 million, I was able to buy a refurbished A1 with a much larger print bed of 26 x 26 x 26 cm. Although I'm not sure if I will need it in the future, I still decided to buy a refurbished Bambu Lab A1 3D printer. And after nearly a month of experience, I told myself to thank myself for not choosing the A1 Mini, because the need was created by myself.

Use and first mistakes

I brought the computer home on the day I sold the Handheld PC. With plans to go wherever I go, I just set up an area on the spare TV shelf in the living room in front of the couple's bedroom, mainly a little closer to the bedroom - because my work computer system is also in the bedroom.

And the first mistake is not to believe too much in what people share because although this flower vase product is beautiful, the print is smooth, but the shell is very thin. Even thinner than some namecards with a weight of 250. For basic use, it's still fine, but I think I'll just leave it for distillation because it's too thin and will fall easily.

Some of the models I printed with shared files for free, I'm too lazy to handle the plastic surface so they still look messy. After a few days of playing around, printing miscellaneous items from available shared files. I started to get bored with the free shared files, and decided to dabble - make the files myself.

AI and how to make your own 3D printing files

Need to clarify, I'm not a 3D person, I'm ignorant about 3D drawing apps like Sketch or AutoCAD. But thanks to AI - specifically the Gemini Pro I'm using for my main job, I have a pretty powerful combination:

The process is quite simple: I describe the need for a product I need including specific parameters, Gemini will export the Code, I enter the Code into AutoSCAD to Render the image. Adjust via Gemini if ​​the Render is not satisfied. Once you are satisfied, export the .stl print file to import into MakerWorld, adjust printer parameters such as speed, print thickness, etc. and you're done. Below is an example when I want to make a set of toothbrush holders, makeup remover pads and razor holders to hang on the wall in the bathroom.

Describe your needs through Gemini, being specific about size and style. Of course, this is just the starting prompt, and I have to adjust the size 5-6 times like that to get the complete Code.

I put the Code into OpenSCAD software, pressed F6 to Render and preview the design

And after exporting the .stl file and putting it into MakerWorld to print, it will look like this. This is when I had only been playing with the machine for 3-4 days, so my ability to adjust the print file was still "immature". It can be seen that the main compartment had a poor surface because at that time I did not know how to slow down the surface speed to ensure the plastic would not bend down due to lack of support (parts supporting suspended surfaces).

After that, I tried making an iPhone 13 phone case for my wife, and there was a cluster with the ability to hold the Movespeed MSP08 Pro wireless charger with AI again (I was tired of finding the specifications). But when making the file, I didn't pay attention to the direction of the AI, it left the Camera cluster, so... threw it away. Then it was too busy so I haven't edited the redo file yet

Why should you have a 3D printer?

Perhaps 3D printers are not a common household item, many of my friends also wonder why they need to buy a 3D printer when they can buy an item they need directly on e-commerce sites, for example the brush holder, makeup remover pad and razor holder above. However, after 1 month of experience and use, I realized that a device that helps me customize and optimize my personal needs is quite interesting. Especially I like DIY, and always want items to be optimized according to my needs and unique. I tried making many other things at home: Printing statues for the whole family, making ashtrays for my boss, making night lights, plant pots, models I like, etc. Even after my cousin selling shelves gave me a technical cabinet with a Pegboard, I also made a DIY technical corner according to my wishes (like the profile picture trying to bring the printer into the room but the wife grumbled and then carried it out again).

The Pegboard my brother gave me is the grooved form of a supermarket display shelf, not the IKEA standard, so I printed it wrong the first time. Then you have to manually redesign all the drawers, hooks, and brackets to the correct size before you can hang it up. By the way, I also printed the legs on the wooden shelf in the photo above and screwed it onto the wooden panel. When I made the bookshelf, I had quite a few extra 6-7 wooden panels of all sizes, so I took advantage of it. For someone who likes DIY like me, a 3D printer is a pretty essential item. I can print almost any plastic item in my house to replace or repair, instead of throwing it away. Some friends also asked me to help print some personal items in their home to replace such as cracked remote covers, shelf brackets, battery compartments, etc. Perhaps the only thing that limits people with 3D printers is the idea, as long as it's something you think of and is practical in your home, you can absolutely print and use it right away instead of buying products with identical designs on the current market.