WKSPINE64
PINE64 Pinecil
Pocket soldering iron powered over USB-C, running open-source firmware. Heats in seconds.
Best for Electronics hobbyists who want a good iron without a bench station, at home or on the go.
Under $100
Bambu Lab
Bambu Lab PLA Basic
Consistent everyday PLA with RFID-tagged spools that Bambu printers recognise automatically.
Strengths
- Tight tolerances, so fewer clogs and failed prints
- AMS reads colour and settings from the spool
- Wide colour range, often discounted in bundles
Trade-offs
- RFID only helps on Bambu printers
- Third-party PLA can be cheaper per kilo
Filament is where a printer actually costs you money over its life, and bad filament is where most “my printer is broken” stories start. Bambu’s PLA Basic is consistent, and on Bambu printers the RFID tag means the AMS knows the colour and settings without you entering them.
On other printers it is simply good PLA. Buy it in multi-spool bundles, as single-spool prices are rarely the best deal.
Also in Workshop Essentials