Formlabs Studio 1 $699 Resin Printer
Formlabs’ new $699 Form Studio 1 resin printer is drawing attention for bringing industrial-style SLA capabilities and safer, low‑VOC resins closer to consumer price points, while still promising high speed and fine detail. Commenters weigh these advantages against the significant downsides of resin printing—messy workflows, toxic materials, hazardous waste handling, and the need for dedicated space and PPE—arguing that most newcomers are better served by modern FDM printers. Many also criticize Formlabs’ proprietary consumables and upsell ecosystem, and question heavily scripted influencer coverage that rarely compares the machine directly to cheaper competing resin printers.
Hype, discovery, and positioning
- Many note the HN post rose quickly, likely boosted by recent YouTube videos and influencer coverage.
- Several commenters feel the marketing push is heavy and comparisons are often to older Formlabs gear, not to cheaper Chinese resin printers.
- Some see the product as aimed mainly at resin novices rather than people who already own resin printers.
Resin vs FDM as a first printer
- Strong consensus: do not buy a resin printer as your first machine.
- FDM is described as cheaper, cleaner, safer, easier to use, and “done when the print finishes.”
- Resin is seen as worth it only when you specifically need high detail, small parts, or certain specialized materials (e.g., miniatures, jewelry, some engineering parts).
Workflow, mess, and post‑processing
- Resin workflow: printing, washing (typically with IPA), curing under UV, supports removal, dealing with failed prints and tank cleanup.
- Many describe resin printing as messy, tedious, and failure‑prone; managing spills and filtering vats after failures is a major pain point.
- Some suggest DIY or cheaper wash/cure setups; others warn about unsafe practices (e.g., IPA in heated ultrasonic baths).
Safety, toxicity, and VOCs
- Strong concern over uncured resin: skin sensitization, allergies, possible carcinogenicity, and eye damage are mentioned.
- Recommended PPE: gloves, eye protection, respirator, long sleeves, and good ventilation or extraction.
- New “low VOC” / certification claims from Formlabs are welcomed by some but others remain cautious and would still ventilate and use PPE.
- Disposal of resin waste and solvent is highlighted as poorly addressed and non‑trivial.
Formlabs ecosystem, openness, and costs
- Debate over proprietary cartridges, tanks, and pricing.
- Printer supports “Open Material Mode,” but using it and engineering resins requires a more expensive tank that is a consumable with a finite lifetime.
- Some liken this to inkjet or Bambu‑style ecosystems and call it anti‑consumer; others argue cartridges reduce exposure and that tank cost is acceptable relative to resin usage.
Capability, speed, and use cases
- Praised for speed (full volume in ~2 hours) and detail vs FDM, plus availability of tougher and specialized resins.
- Supporters value integrated hardware–material tuning and reliability; critics say FDM with a 0.2 mm nozzle is “good enough” for most hobby work.
- Some express preference for CNC or metal fabrication services where stronger, less “plastic” parts are needed.