Bambu Lab A1 – One Year Later
3D printing has a way of getting under your skin — in the best possible way. I’ve had my Bambu Lab A1 for just over a year now, and it’s safe to say it’s one of the most creative tools I’ve ever owned. From practical organisers to full-blown prop builds, this little printer has turned ideas in my head into real, tangible things sitting on my desk.
My latest project? A full-size Wolverine helmet, printed entirely in matte yellow and black PLA.
3d printed wolverine Helmet
Why I Think Now Is the Perfect Time to Get Into 3D Printing
When I first started exploring 3D printing, it felt like something only hardcore hobbyists could get into — a mix of wires, calibration, and guesswork. But over the last year, things have changed dramatically.
The Bambu Lab A1 has made 3D printing more approachable than ever. You can literally have an idea in the morning and hold it in your hands by the afternoon. For creatives, makers, and even total beginners, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.
A1 Bambu Lab 3D Printer
Getting Started: Choosing Filament
Once you get your printer set up, you’ll quickly discover a whole world of filament types — PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU and beyond.
If you’re new to printing, start simple. PLA (Polylactic Acid) is still the go-to choice for beginners. It’s easy to print with, affordable, and delivers clean, detailed results without much fine-tuning.
Personally, I love the look of Bambu Lab’s PLA Matte. It gives prints a smooth, premium finish straight off the bed and hides layer lines really well. But ultimately, filament choice depends on what you’re printing and the look you’re going for.
Finding Prints: The Magic of MakerWorld
Once you’ve loaded your filament, the next question is: what do you print?
That’s where MakerWorld comes in. It’s a massive online library of community-shared 3D models — everything from simple tools and organisers to detailed cosplay pieces like this Wolverine helmet.
I found the helmet design there, imported it into Bambu Studio, sliced it, and let the A1 do its thing. Within hours, layer by layer, the helmet took shape — no complex tuning or advanced settings required.
PLA Matte
Practical Prints That Make Life Easier
Not every print has to be a showpiece. Some of the most useful things I’ve made are simple desk accessories — custom drawer organisers for SD cards, batteries, and cables.
If you want to take your organisation up a notch, look into the Gridfinity system. It’s a modular storage solution where you print a base grid and interchangeable containers to hold almost anything. The community behind it is massive, with thousands of custom bins designed for tools, hobby gear, and tech accessories.
Gridfinity Storage for Hobby paints
The Wolverine Helmet Build
Now for the fun part.
The Wolverine helmet was printed in matte yellow and black PLA, split into sections to make printing easier. After each part was finished, I glued in tiny 2mm round magnets so the helmet could snap together cleanly — a simple trick that makes it far more wearable and easy to store.
Straight off the printer, the colour contrast and surface finish look great. I haven’t painted it yet, but I might down the line. Even raw, it looks like it stepped out of a comic book.
Cosplay Wolverine Helmet
Designing My Own Prints
After a few months of printing other people’s models, I started experimenting with my own designs. One of my favourites is a PS5 controller holder — something that went through plenty of trial and error, but came together perfectly in the end.
That’s the best part about 3D printing: it’s a constant loop of learning, testing, and improving.
Cost Breakdown
A finished helmet like this would easily cost £200 or more if you bought it pre-made. Printing it yourself? Around £25 worth of PLA, plus a few pence for magnets.
That’s what makes 3D printing such an amazing investment — the ability to produce professional-looking results for a fraction of the cost, all from your home setup.
Final Thoughts: A Year With the Bambu Lab A1
After a year of using the Bambu Lab A1, it’s hard not to recommend it to anyone thinking of starting out. It’s quick, quiet, and consistently reliable — and the creative possibilities are endless.
To be clear, this isn’t sponsored in any way. Bambu haven’t sent me anything — I bought this printer myself. This is just my honest take after 12 months of real use.
If you’re looking to jump into 3D printing, start with something simple like a desk organiser… and before long, you’ll be building props like this Wolverine helmet.
🧠 Key Takeaways
Printer: Bambu Lab A1
Project: Full-size Wolverine Helmet
Assembly: 2 mm magnets for modular fit
Print cost: ~£25
Experience level: Beginner-friendly
Community resource: MakerWorld (free models & contests)