Model A MagHold Magnetic Build System for Pre 2016 FF Creator/Qidi/Makerbot Replicator/CTC CN22

So the product came nicely packed, including a cute little jolly rancher and elmer's stick of glue.Starting off, the instructions were almost complete, except the seller didn't mention that he'd included a BuilkTek build sheet attached on top of the tempered steel bed. I actually installed it as directed and started my first print from there. After approximately 6~9 hours, the print finished and I found that the print had stubbornly fused to the BuildTek build sheet... upon trying to remove it the BuildTek build sheet tore (cracking my print), and I was about to contact the seller wondering what the heck happened when I noticed I could remove the BuildTek sheet. I removed the sheet with the failed print still on it, and found the beautiful blue colored tempered steel sheet under it. Placed the sheet back on the MagHold and extremely smooth sailing from there, literally no problem getting prints to adhere and only takes 2 seconds to remove prints now with no damage. Using a QIDI with the heated bed.For future improvements, I'd mention that there is in fact a bonus BuildTek build sheet in the instructions to warn users against printing ABS on top of it while using a heated bed. The print will not come off. The steel sheet works literally perfect without the bonus sheet, and I'd advise to only use those BuildTek sheets only when lacking a heated bed. I do appreciate the effort on the seller's behalf to improve the product with the bonus BuildTek sheet though.

I love the concept of the Maghold system and the machining and build quality of the aluminum plate is top notch. If that was all there was to it, it'd be an easy five star review. Unfortunately, it all falls apart where it really counts - the build surface where the 3D prints succeed or fail. I knocked off a star because that aspect of the entire system is not ready for prime time based on my results, and the Maghold plate is useless without a good print surface. Read my review on the MaddGrip sheets for the specifics, but in general, I've given up on MaddGrip as a technological dead end. I'm currently experimenting with PEI sheet on the spring steel, but the jury is still out on that. From what I've read, once I get it working, the .030" thick PEI should be much better than the MaddGrip sheets. If so, it'll save the Maghold system for me. If not, I'll remove the Maghold plate and technologically regress to borosilicate glass and glue sticks, which will make me a sad panda.

I installed this on my Qidi Tech I in less than half an hour. I put the blue sheet that I've always used on top and started printing. I tested it with some low, flat objects that I normally cannot remove without damaging them and this worked perfectly. My old build plate was not removable and this one I remove the magnetic sheet, bend, and the prints pop right off.My only complaint is the screws to attach the magnetic bed to the printer are slightly off. If the front two are in their holes the back one is slightly too far forward. You can wiggle it all in but it does effect bed leveling if you aren't careful.Be sure to completely tighten your bed down before leveling for the first time. This is likely thicker than your old bed and the extruder will drag on the bed and scratch it up if you don't.

I've been using this replacement bed plate for a month or two now on my Qidi Tech 1 and it's excellent. I was able to torque the bed level screws down enough that I didn't need a z-axis shim. I haven't had to level my bed unless I switch between different nozzles or layer heights. The buildtak surface is great, haven't had any prints separate, but when the removable plate cools parts come away pretty easily with a bit of flexing of the spring steel. I ordered before Christmas and the seller was nice enough to throw in a second spring steel plate which I plan on surfacing with some PEI soon. The aluminum machining is solid and I haven't noticed any warping when heating to 50-60C. The heat feels pretty even as well. There's enough strength in the magnets that I haven't had any layer shifts and I've done alot of printing in the past month. Overall this thing is easily worth the money in time saved bed leveling and if you turn around parts quickly adding a second spring steel plate will get you back online and printing in seconds.

Definitely worth the price. Be advise of two things, first this plate is approx 6 mm thick therefore in order to meet the nozzle at the right height to have to tighten the leveling screws beneath to compensate for the thicker plate and the springs ends up becoming compressed right down which leave little room for adjusting the plate after. Lastly this maybe be my print setting but there are few occasions where I print overhang without support and at the edge the plastics tend to warp up as the extruder passes over it. When the plastic is cooled becomes hard and the nozzle hooks on it the print it can hold on strong enough to shift the entire magnetic sheet out of place and thus ruin the entire position of the print. Before with the old plate and sheet stuck onto the plate it was strong enough to hold it position but now with the removable sheet, it can slide easier therefore it would be advisable to monitor you print more often than you probably did before.

I feel obligated to review this after reading Chucks undeserving 1 star rating (Chuck is an engineer, unlike the majority of 3d printer owners who are probably truck drivers and sanitation workers, right?) and it's sad, especially these day's when most new Amazon product vendors will pay to pimp there merchandise with hundred's or even thousand's of fake 5 star reviews, making the previously useful rating system misleading. If you had issues with fitment, I feel for you, however there are 15 others that had no such issue, probably many more, so give credit where credit is due and recognize that this is a neat little concept at least...I found it very easy to install in my qidi tech1 and no longer have to play games to remove fragile prints that stick a little too well.