Refurb: Creality K1 SE FDM 3D Printer w/ Flexible Build Plate & Auto-Leveling

greenefeenux

Jul 24, 2025 06:14 PM

76 Posts

Joined May 2017

Jul 24, 2025 06:14 PM

greenefeenuxJul 24, 2025 06:14 PM

76 Posts

Quote from zbb0674

:

How does this compare to Bambu A1 mini?

Bambu stuff largely just works. It's their whole sales pitch. Creality tends to have a rep as more a project. I've only owned bambu so can't speak to creality but my bambu P1S has knocked out hundreds of hours of prints with only two hiccups ever that were my fault.

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1

JumpingJack502

Jul 24, 2025 06:14 PM

1,354 Posts

Joined Aug 2021

Jul 24, 2025 06:14 PM

JumpingJack502Jul 24, 2025 06:14 PM

1,354 Posts

Quote from zbb0674

:

How does this compare to Bambu A1 mini?

Apples to oranges. Size, enclosure and price point are not the same to even compare.

2

deals_slicker

Jul 24, 2025 06:39 PM

194 Posts

Joined Nov 2005

Jul 24, 2025 06:39 PM

deals_slickerJul 24, 2025 06:39 PM

194 Posts

Quote from jjofnwa

:

I believe the Centauri Carbon firmware is closed, versus the K1 SE that uses klipper. Also the Centauri Carbon is $300+. That said, I really hope Elegoo releases the Centauri model at the $200 price point. That would be an instant buy from me versus this K1 SE, but who knows if they will ever release it, and if they do will the quantities be there? When will it ship? etc

I thought one of the selling points of the centauri carbon was the open firmware?

VSeven

Jul 24, 2025 06:43 PM

1,619 Posts

Joined Apr 2004

Jul 24, 2025 06:43 PM

VSevenJul 24, 2025 06:43 PM

1,619 Posts

I have a refurb Ender 3 v3 KE, a refurb Ender 3 v3 Plus, and a Bambu X1C. I'm in the process of selling the KE just because I have no space but both the v3 Plus and the X1C have been good printers. If there was a better price on the K1 Max I'd replace the v3 Plus but I've gotten used to the bigger bed.

ZeeDuck

Pro

Jul 24, 2025 07:10 PM

2,058 Posts

Joined Feb 2013

Jul 24, 2025 07:10 PM

ZeeDuck

Pro

Jul 24, 2025 07:10 PM

2,058 Posts

Quote from VSeven

:

I have a refurb Ender 3 v3 KE, a refurb Ender 3 v3 Plus, and a Bambu X1C. I'm in the process of selling the KE just because I have no space but both the v3 Plus and the X1C have been good printers. If there was a better price on the K1 Max I'd replace the v3 Plus but I've gotten used to the bigger bed.

A lower cost large core XY option would be nice. Given the $200-300 core XY options in the 220-250 mm size I don't see many companies investing in new bed slingers in that size range. However, if you want 300mm+ on a budget the bed slingers are still the best option.

1

MNight68

Jul 24, 2025 11:17 PM

87 Posts

Joined Mar 2022

Jul 24, 2025 11:17 PM

MNight68Jul 24, 2025 11:17 PM

87 Posts

Quote from klae17

:

I returned 11 of these bastards. Get the centuri.

How'd you break 11 of them?

klae17

Jul 24, 2025 11:17 PM

44 Posts

Joined Dec 2019

Jul 24, 2025 11:17 PM

klae17Jul 24, 2025 11:17 PM

44 Posts

Quote from MNight68

:

How'd you break 11 of them?

8 of them didn't work right.

1

zombiefied76

Jul 25, 2025 12:11 AM

3 Posts

Joined Dec 2014

Jul 25, 2025 12:11 AM

zombiefied76Jul 25, 2025 12:11 AM

3 Posts

Quote from doctorevil30564

:

As a Pre-Order K1 owner, yeah all the initial issues for the K1 were fixed, either by the updated version of the extruder, swapping out the stock hotend for a Micro Swiss Flowtech hotend, firmware updates or The awesome project that allowed us to fully unlock klipper functionality. The most in depth thing I had to do was use the skip tooth method to adjust my bed to get the variance between the lowest points of the bed mesh and the highest points of the bed to just over 0.3mm. I do advise to use hair spray instead of a glue stick when printing on the stock smooth finish bed plate, and to make sure you either print play with the cover removed or spaced using a riser with ventilation holes. I bought the CFS upgrade kit for mine, but haven't installed it yet. I'm still working on the multiple issues I have had with the Anycubic Kobra S1 I made the mistake of ordering. Anyone who thinks Creality stuff is crap, should have to buy an Anycubic printer to use. If you hit the lottery and get one that doesn't have issues you're good to go, but if you don't get a good one it's one headache after another. My remaining issues are pending me getting the funssor upgraded undercarriage piece to go along with the replacement 8mm thick replacement bed kit I just got. The undercarriage kit just started showing up on AliExpress or I would have ordered both at the same time.

Having the same issues with my Kobra 3 setup. My Creality K1C has worked flawlessly for the last year....

TenseAction4715

Jul 25, 2025 04:13 AM

9 Posts

Joined Jun 2022

Jul 25, 2025 04:13 AM

TenseAction4715Jul 25, 2025 04:13 AM

9 Posts

I would go for the Flashforge AD5M over this deal. It's brand new and doesn't have the problems that the k1's are plagued with.

MozVolta

Jul 25, 2025 04:21 AM

1,001 Posts

Joined Nov 2012

Jul 25, 2025 04:21 AM

MozVoltaJul 25, 2025 04:21 AM

1,001 Posts

Quote from jjofnwa

:

I believe the Centauri Carbon firmware is closed, versus the K1 SE that uses klipper. Also the Centauri Carbon is $300+. That said, I really hope Elegoo releases the Centauri model at the $200 price point. That would be an instant buy from me versus this K1 SE, but who knows if they will ever release it, and if they do will the quantities be there? When will it ship? etc

the "hard deadline" for the tariffs is Aug 1st, and tariffs (extra taxes you'll pay) for this will be upwards of 145%, if that actually stays, we won't be seeing anything close to a $200 price for a while. Of course the whole tariff issue has been a circus (on/off/on/off back on again...), so who knows, tbh.

3

1

ScrewHackers

Jul 25, 2025 04:38 AM

27 Posts

Joined Feb 2021

Jul 25, 2025 04:38 AM

ScrewHackersJul 25, 2025 04:38 AM

27 Posts

Quote from jjofnwa

:

I believe the Centauri Carbon firmware is closed, versus the K1 SE that uses klipper. Also the Centauri Carbon is $300+. That said, I really hope Elegoo releases the Centauri model at the $200 price point. That would be an instant buy from me versus this K1 SE, but who knows if they will ever release it, and if they do will the quantities be there? When will it ship? etc

https://us.elegoo.com/products/ce...uF268QMi_J
I haven't seen any reviews about this one specifically but I think its the same as the carbon without the enclosure?

Shake-N-Bake

Jul 25, 2025 06:00 AM

5,207 Posts

Joined May 2020

Jul 25, 2025 06:00 AM

Shake-N-BakeJul 25, 2025 06:00 AM

5,207 Posts

Quote from ChrisBobson

:

Every time the cheaper refurbished models are posted on here, there are always comments about how crappy they are and trying to get Creality to fix something is like pulling hair, otherwise you have to fix it yourself. So it just seems like if you want this particular brand, get it new.

I mean, it was new. Then it broke. That's how it became refurbished. Now the problem, presumably, has been fixed. People's trust in new items is too high, and trust in refurbished items is too low. I've had various types of refurbished products throughout my life, and they've lasted a long time. I've had countless new things break faster.

3

1

sHockz_atx

Jul 25, 2025 11:24 AM

2,630 Posts

Joined Nov 2008

Jul 25, 2025 11:24 AM

sHockz_atxJul 25, 2025 11:24 AM

2,630 Posts

Quote from doctorevil30564

:

As a Pre-Order K1 owner, yeah all the initial issues for the K1 were fixed, either by the updated version of the extruder, swapping out the stock hotend for a Micro Swiss Flowtech hotend, firmware updates or The awesome project that allowed us to fully unlock klipper functionality. The most in depth thing I had to do was use the skip tooth method to adjust my bed to get the variance between the lowest points of the bed mesh and the highest points of the bed to just over 0.3mm. I do advise to use hair spray instead of a glue stick when printing on the stock smooth finish bed plate, and to make sure you either print play with the cover removed or spaced using a riser with ventilation holes. I bought the CFS upgrade kit for mine, but haven't installed it yet. I'm still working on the multiple issues I have had with the Anycubic Kobra S1 I made the mistake of ordering. Anyone who thinks Creality stuff is crap, should have to buy an Anycubic printer to use. If you hit the lottery and get one that doesn't have issues you're good to go, but if you don't get a good one it's one headache after another. My remaining issues are pending me getting the funssor upgraded undercarriage piece to go along with the replacement 8mm thick replacement bed kit I just got. The undercarriage kit just started showing up on AliExpress or I would have ordered both at the same time.

I've never seen a better advertisement for bambu. My kossel v slot delta printer and cr6 se were nightmares. I'd be avoiding creality as the juice isn't worth the squeeze. And while the Centauri is tempting at the price point, I'd rather just get a P1S w AMS 2 and avoid getting into the hobby of tinkering on my 3d printer instead of just using it to print things.

1

doctorevil30564

Jul 25, 2025 11:36 AM

683 Posts

Joined Aug 2006

Jul 25, 2025 11:36 AM

doctorevil30564Jul 25, 2025 11:36 AM

683 Posts

Quote from sHockz_atx

:

I've never seen a better advertisement for bambu. My kossel v slot delta printer and cr6 se were nightmares. I'd be avoiding creality as the juice isn't worth the squeeze. And while the Centauri is tempting at the price point, I'd rather just get a P1S w AMS 2 and avoid getting into the hobby of tinkering on my 3d printer instead of just using it to print things.

in what way would my post be an advertisement for Bambu Lab printers? if you can find a p1S at this price, then sure go buy it. my first printer was a Ender 3 Pro that was a constant battle. once you dial it in this K1 SE will be a work horse. my K1 sure is. the Kobra S1.... yeah not so much.

nuy6n6nn

Jul 25, 2025 12:30 PM

668 Posts

Joined Feb 2014

Jul 25, 2025 12:30 PM

nuy6n6nnJul 25, 2025 12:30 PM

668 Posts

Quote from MNight68

:

How'd you break 11 of them?

Because they are junk and creality has no quality control.

I have 2 K1Cs and they are awful printers compared to the stuff coming out now a days and Creality is just awful with customer support to the point where I never even bother trying to warranty crap with them, i just get on Aliexpress and order 5x of whatever crappy part just broke.

I have replaced almost every single part on one of my K1Cs. From the motherboard to the tool head board, to the hot end, to t he extruder etc.

Avoid Creality, t here is a reason these keep dropping in price. The K2 is even worse with design choices that seem intended to keep the printer from being reliable.

Seriously my Ender V3 SE's print better than the K1 series, it is crazy.

Creality has destroyed themselves in their pursuit of Bambu in my opinion.

There are a number of enclosed corexy printers that are priced similarly to this one and are much more reliable. Centuari Carbon, Anycubic S1, Bambu P1S, Flashforge Adventurer, Qidi Q1 Pro... just to name a few

Last edited by nuy6n6nn July 25, 2025 at 05:33 AM.

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Refurb: Creality K1 SE FDM 3D Printer w/ Flexible Build Plate & Auto-Leveling

$179

$279

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