u/Direct-Flamingo4504

https://preview.redd.it/xh25crx35ibh1.jpg?width=1037&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3eee95ceb4da181f7dbd5bd29414c9b03ad007ff

I recently bought a mostly stock 1968 Beetle that I’d like to keep and enjoy with my family for the next 10+ years (for weekend rides and VW events). It’s in decent shape overall: mostly good paint, presentable interior, some bumper rust, a driver door latch that doesn’t always work from the outside, and a window leak when it rains. It sat for four years in a “beetle shed” after the owner passed. It had a basic tune up to get running before we got it. Chrome on bumper shows 3-4 dime to nickel rust spots; some dime sized missing pant spots; surface rust on exhaust

My priorities are:

1. Safety
2. Drivability/reliability
3. Looks
4. Fun upgrades

For those who have sorted out an old Beetle, what would you prioritize first?

I’m thinking of reviewing/remediating any issues with brakes, tires, steering/suspension, fuel lines/fire risk, wiring/lights, seatbelts/seats (belts don’t retract well in front and missing in the back), door latch not working on drivers side; fixing a window-based water leak before doing cosmetics or fun upgrades. Am wondering about disc brakes (safety) and an upgraded shifter (at a minimum replacing the bushings)

Any thoughts on what I’m thinking? Anything I should also consider given our goals (safe, reliable and fun for our family for ten years)

For my particular use case, I’ve found the Snapmaker U1 to be a better fit than Bambu if the goal is to have one solid all-around machine.

I’ve owned or used the A1 Mini, A1, P2S, X2D, and H2S, so this isn’t coming from a “brand loyalty” place. Bambu machines are excellent, and I still think they make a lot of sense for many people.

My situation is pretty specific: I’m a dad with a few younger kids, and most of what I print falls into a few buckets:

1. Multi-color toys, accessories, and fun kid stuff
2. Single-color practical prints
3. TPU / squishy items
4. Occasional mixed-material prints, like PETG boxes with TPU gaskets
5. Multi-color TPU prints, like shoe or sneaker-style projects

I rarely need ASA, so enclosed high-temp printing is not a major factor for me.

What I value most is:

1. Faster multi-color printing
2. True multi-material capability
3. The ability to print TPU in more flexible ways
4. Less waste
5. Having one machine instead of needing two or three to cover all my use cases

There are definitely times when a second printer is useful. If you’re printing lots of plates, another machine immediately increases capacity. But for me, I’d rather have one machine that covers more of what I actually want to do.

Until Bambu has a true tool-changer option similar to the U1, I’m planning to sell my Bambu machines and run just the U1 for a while.

Curious if anyone else has made a similar switch, especially people who print a mix of multi-color, TPU, and practical family/kid projects.

FYI about the OnLocation "Hotel Reservations". While they will gladly take your money, this is NOT a guarantee that you will get the Hotel and room you selected. Language in the agreement. They can CANCEL your reservation for ANY REASON; and also MOVE YOU to a DIFFERENT HOTEL for ANY REASON.

So let's say we select a great hotel given where our tickets are-- that doesn't mean that we will actually get that when the Olympics roll around.

And the full prepayment is due now and non refundable.

So basically going with them will be a roll off the dice as to whether you actually have a hotel when the Olympics come around.

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"For Packages including hotel accommodations, Purchaser and/or Attendee(s) may be relocated to an alternative room in the sole discretion of a hotel, lodging provider or On Location, and no such relocation shall entitle Purchaser to a refund, make-good or other remedy if Purchaser and/or Attendee(s) are relocated to a comparable room at a comparable hotel or another form of lodging."

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And also they can Cancel your reservation at any time for ANY reason

"Any element of the Package may be cancelled, postponed, delayed, altered, relocated or rescheduled at any time with or without notice in the Organizers' sole discretion, as applicable, or due to the actions or events beyond the reasonably foreseeable control of the Organizers. The Organizers will not be liable to Purchaser or any other party because of any failure to perform hereunder due to fire, earthquake, rain, adverse weather conditions, flood, or any other acts of God, power failures, electrical or mechanical difficulties, strikes, lockout, work stoppages or other labor disturbances, governmental regulations or restrictions, terrorism, war, civil disturbances, epidemic, pandemic (including COVID-19) or any other cause or condition, whether known or unknown, or similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing, beyond the reasonably foreseeable control of the Organizers ("Force Majeure"). Delay in the performance of these Terms or the failure of Releasees (as defined in Section 16(c)) or the Organizers to perform or provide the Package (or any element thereof) caused by any Force Majeure shall not constitute a breach of these Terms or a ground for cancellation, suspension or termination hereof."

Has anyone set up a filament dryer above the U1 (on top of a top enclosure) that works well for feeding not just PLA/PETG but also TPU?

So not using the side spool feeders but a Drybox that sits above the machine on top of the enclosure and then feeds into the tool heads. With low rolling resistance for TPU.

Thanks!