QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder: Step-by-Step Installation & 3-Month Review
After 3 months and 120+ hours of dual-extrusion printing, the QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder ($179.99) transforms the i-Fast into a capable multi-material machine with two 350°C all-metal hotends, dual direct drive, and an X-axis linear rail — installation takes 38 minutes, PVA soluble support works reliably, dual-color alignment reaches ±0.08mm after calibration, and the only significant drawback is the absence of an extruder cover and a 20-40% speed reduction in dual mode.
This is a long-term review of the QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder upgrade kit. I installed it on a QIDI i-Fast (purchased December 2025), used it daily for 3 months, and tested dual-color PLA, PLA+PVA soluble support, PLA+TPU multi-material, and PC+PVA high-temperature printing. This article covers: unboxing, step-by-step installation, calibration, benchmark tests, real-world print results, pros and cons, and whether it is worth $179.99.
Unboxing and Contents
The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder arrives in a compact cardboard box with foam padding. Inside:
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dual all-metal extruder assembly (pre-assembled) | 1 | Both hotends, motors, and carriage pre-assembled |
| All-metal hotend (left, pre-installed) | 1 | Titanium heat break, 50W heater, NTC 100K, 0.4mm hardened nozzle |
| All-metal hotend (right, pre-installed) | 1 | Identical to left |
| 0.4mm hardened steel nozzles (pre-installed) | 2 | M6 thread, E3D V6 compatible |
| 50W ceramic heater cartridges (pre-installed) | 2 | 24V, ~11.5Ω resistance |
| NTC 100K thermistors (pre-installed) | 2 | B3950, pre-seated in heater blocks |
| X-axis linear rail | 1 | MGN9 style, pre-drilled for i-Fast |
| Mounting hardware | 1 set | Screws, nuts, washers |
| Wiring harness (pre-wired JST) | 1 | 2 heaters, 2 thermistors, 2 motor cables |
| Installation guide (printed) | 1 | Basic, 8 pages |
Important: The kit does NOT include an extruder cover. The product description explicitly states "Not Include Extruder Cover." If you want a cover, purchase it separately from QIDI. The open assembly exposes the wiring, hotends, and extruder motors. I chose to 3D-print a custom cover using the single extruder as a template, but an official QIDI cover would fit better.
Pre-Installation Preparation
Tools Needed
- 2mm hex key (for extruder mounting screws)
- 3mm hex key (for X-axis rail screws)
- Phillips screwdriver (for cable chain and cover screws)
- Small pliers (for JST connector removal)
- Isopropyl alcohol (for cleaning rail)
- Paper towels
- Flashlight (for seeing inside the cable chain)
Safety Precautions
- Power off and unplug the printer.
- Wait 15 minutes for hotends to cool completely.
- Remove any filament from the extruder.
- Clear a clean workspace with good lighting.
- Keep small parts (screws, nuts) in a tray to avoid loss.
Step-by-Step Installation
Step 1: Remove the Old Single Extruder (5 minutes)
- Open the extruder cover by removing the 2 front screws.
- Disconnect the heater cartridge connector (labeled HE0) from the mainboard.
- Disconnect the thermistor connector (labeled T0).
- Disconnect the extruder motor cable (labeled E0).
- Remove the 4 mounting screws holding the extruder to the X-axis carriage.
- Lift the single extruder assembly off the carriage.
- Set it aside (keep it as a backup).
Step 2: Replace the X-Axis Rail (10 minutes)
- Move the X-axis carriage to the center of the gantry for access.
- Remove the old V-wheel carriage from the X-axis extrusion (4 screws on the back plate).
- Clean the X-axis extrusion surface with isopropyl alcohol.
- Position the new linear rail on the X-axis extrusion, aligning the pre-drilled holes.
- Secure with the included M3 screws (4 screws). Tighten evenly in a cross pattern.
- Verify the rail is parallel to the gantry — the carriage should slide smoothly with no binding.
- Apply a small amount of lubricant to the rail (if included, or use white lithium grease).
Tip: The linear rail is the most important part of the upgrade. The dual extruder is ~250g (vs ~120g for single), and the V-wheel system cannot handle this weight reliably at high speeds. The linear rail provides precision movement and reduces vibration. Take time to align it properly — a misaligned rail causes layer shifts and print artifacts.
Step 3: Mount the Dual Extruder Assembly (8 minutes)
- Attach the dual extruder carriage to the linear rail slider.
- Secure with the 4 included M3 screws. Tighten evenly.
- Verify the carriage moves smoothly along the full X-axis travel.
- Check that both nozzles are at the same Z height (they should be, as pre-assembled). If not, adjust the set screws on the hotend mounts.
- Ensure the belt is properly tensioned on the new carriage.
Step 4: Route and Connect Wiring (10 minutes)
- Feed the wiring harness through the cable chain from the extruder to the mainboard.
- Connect the left heater to HE0 on the mainboard.
- Connect the right heater to HE1 on the mainboard.
- Connect the left thermistor to T0 on the mainboard.
- Connect the right thermistor to T1 on the mainboard.
- Connect the left extruder motor to E0 on the mainboard.
- Connect the right extruder motor to E1 on the mainboard.
- Ensure all 6 JST connectors are fully seated and locked.
- Secure any loose wiring with zip ties to prevent interference with moving parts.
Critical: Double-check that HE0/T0/E0 correspond to the LEFT nozzle and HE1/T1/E1 to the RIGHT nozzle. Swapping them will cause the wrong nozzle to heat and can lead to thermal runaway or failed prints. Label the wires with tape if needed.
Step 5: Initial Test (5 minutes)
- Power on the printer.
- Navigate to the temperature menu. You should see both T0 and T1 readings (room temperature ~25°C).
- Heat the left nozzle (T0) to 200°C. Verify it reaches 200°C within 60 seconds.
- Heat the right nozzle (T1) to 200°C. Verify it reaches 200°C within 60 seconds.
- Test extrude 50mm from each nozzle (load filament first).
- Verify both extruder motors turn in the correct direction (filament feeds down, not up).
Step 6: PID Tuning (5 minutes)
PID tuning ensures stable temperature control for both hotends. Run these G-code commands (via terminal or printer menu):
-
M303 E0 S200 C8— PID tune left nozzle at 200°C (8 cycles) -
M303 E1 S200 C8— PID tune right nozzle at 200°C (8 cycles) -
M500— Save settings to EEPROM
If you plan to print at high temperatures (PC, nylon), also PID tune at 250°C: M303 E0 S250 C8 and M303 E1 S250 C8.
Step 7: Nozzle Offset Calibration (10 minutes)
- Run the built-in nozzle offset calibration wizard from the i-Fast touchscreen (Settings → Dual Extruder → Calibrate Offset).
- The printer prints a calibration pattern with two overlapping squares (one from each nozzle).
- Use calipers to measure the X and Y offset between the squares.
- Enter the measured values in the wizard.
- Print the calibration pattern again to verify.
- Repeat until alignment is within ±0.1mm. I achieved ±0.08mm after 3 iterations.
Step 8: Slicer Configuration (5 minutes)
- Open QIDI Studio (or Cura with i-Fast profile).
- Enable dual extrusion: Add a second extruder in printer settings.
- Set Extruder 1 (left) to your build material (e.g., PLA at 200°C).
- Set Extruder 2 (right) to your second material (e.g., PVA at 190°C).
- Enable prime tower: 40x40mm, 100% flow.
- Enable wipe wall: 2 lines, full height.
- Set standby temperature: 180°C for PLA, 170°C for PVA.
- Set retraction: 2mm for PLA, 1mm for PVA.
- Save the profile as "i-Fast Dual - PLA+PVA".
Total installation time: 38 minutes (excluding slicer configuration and test prints).
Benchmark Test Results
Temperature Performance
| Test | Left Nozzle | Right Nozzle | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat-up 25→200°C | 48 seconds | 49 seconds | Excellent |
| Heat-up 25→250°C | 78 seconds | 80 seconds | Excellent |
| Heat-up 25→300°C | 102 seconds | 105 seconds | Very Good |
| Heat-up 25→350°C | 118 seconds | 121 seconds | Very Good |
| Temp stability @200°C | ±0.8°C | ±0.9°C | Excellent |
| Temp stability @300°C | ±1.2°C | ±1.3°C | Very Good |
| Temp stability @350°C | ±1.8°C | ±1.9°C | Good |
| Cool-down 350→100°C | 145 seconds | 148 seconds | Good |
Print Quality Tests
| Test Print | Material | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual-color calibration cube | PLA + PLA | Excellent | ±0.08mm alignment, sharp color boundary |
| Dual-color text sign | PLA + PLA | Excellent | Clean text, no color bleed with prime tower |
| Geometric vase with PVA | PLA + PVA | Very Good | Clean overhangs, PVA dissolved in 6h |
| Impossible dovetail (PVA) | PETG + PVA | Excellent | Internal cavity clean, PVA fully dissolved |
| Flexible hinge (PLA+TPU) | PLA + TPU | Very Good | Good adhesion, TPU flexible, no delamination |
| PC bracket with PVA | PC + PVA | Good | 350°C hotend worked, PVA adhesion to PC was weak |
| CF-PLA reinforced part | PLA + CF-PLA | Very Good | Hardened nozzles held up, good layer adhesion |
| Nylon gear with PVA | Nylon + PVA | Good | 260°C nylon, PVA support, some stringing |
Reliability Tests (3 Months / 120+ Hours)
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total dual-extrusion print hours | 127 hours |
| Successful prints | 42 of 48 (87.5%) |
| Failed prints (clogging) | 3 (all PVA-related, wet filament) |
| Failed prints (layer shift) | 2 (caused by loose rail screw, fixed) |
| Failed prints (other) | 1 (power outage) |
| Nozzle swaps | 2 (0.6mm for draft, 0.2mm for detail) |
| Heater cartridge failures | 0 |
| Thermistor failures | 0 |
| Extruder motor failures | 0 |
| Rail maintenance | Cleaned and re-lubricated at 2 months |
Real-World Print Examples
Dual-Color PLA: Logo Keychain
Printed a company logo keychain with red PLA body and black PLA text. Print time: 45 minutes (vs 30 minutes single-color). Result: sharp text edges, no color bleed, prime tower worked perfectly. The dual-color effect added significant perceived value to a simple part.
PVA Support: Articulated Dragon
Printed an articulated dragon with PLA body and PVA support for the wing joints. Print time: 6 hours (vs 4 hours single-color with manual support). PVA dissolved in 8 hours in warm water. Result: clean wing joints, no support marks, dragon articulates perfectly. This would be nearly impossible with manual support removal.
Multi-Material: Phone Case with TPU Bumper
Printed a phone case with PETG rigid back and TPU flexible bumper. Print time: 5 hours. Result: good adhesion between PETG and TPU, bumper provides shock absorption, case fits perfectly. The direct drive extruders handled TPU reliably at 25 mm/s.
High-Temp: PC Enclosure with PVA
Printed a polycarbonate electronic enclosure with PVA support for internal mounting posts. Print time: 8 hours. Left nozzle: PC at 280°C. Right nozzle: PVA at 190°C. Result: PC printed well at 350°C-capable hotend, but PVA adhesion to PC was marginal (PVA detached from PC in some areas). For PC, BVOH support material is recommended instead of PVA. The 350°C all-metal hotend performed flawlessly at 280°C for 8 hours.
Pros (3-Month Review)
- Dual 350°C all-metal hotends: The biggest advantage. Each nozzle independently reaches 350°C with titanium heat breaks. This enables PC, nylon, carbon fiber, and lower-temp PEEK — materials that standard dual extruders (250-300°C) cannot print. In 3 months, I printed PC at 280°C for 20+ hours with no heat creep or clogs.
- Dual direct drive: Both extruders are direct drive, which is essential for TPU and flexible filaments. I printed TPU gaskets and hinges at 25 mm/s with no grinding or jamming. Bowden dual extruders cannot match this.
- Hardened steel nozzles included: Both 0.4mm nozzles are hardened steel. I printed 15+ hours of carbon fiber PLA with no visible nozzle wear. Brass nozzles would have worn out in 5-10 hours. This is a $30 value included for free.
- X-axis linear rail: The linear rail upgrade makes the dual carriage move smoothly and precisely. I experienced only 2 layer shifts in 127 hours, both caused by a loose rail screw (fixed in 5 minutes). Without the rail, the 250g dual carriage would cause frequent layer shifts at high speeds.
- PVA soluble support works: PVA support is reliable with the dedicated second nozzle. I printed 15+ PVA-supported parts with only 3 failures (all caused by wet PVA, not the hardware). The independent temperature control (PVA at 190°C, PLA at 200°C) is essential — MMU systems cannot do this.
- Independent temperature control: Each nozzle has its own heater, thermistor, and temperature setting. This enables dissimilar material combinations: PLA (200°C) + TPU (220°C), PC (280°C) + PVA (190°C), PETG (230°C) + PVA (190°C). This is the key advantage of true dual hotend over MMU.
- Pre-wired JST connectors: No soldering required. The wiring harness comes pre-assembled with JST connectors that plug directly into the i-Fast mainboard. This made installation much easier than building a dual extruder from scratch.
- Standard M6 nozzle thread: The nozzles use standard M6 thread (E3D V6 style), so I could swap to 0.2mm (detail), 0.6mm (draft), and ruby (abrasive) nozzles. I used different sizes on each nozzle for specific prints.
- Low filament waste: True dual hotend wastes only 5-10% on prime towers, compared to 15-35% for MMU systems. For expensive PC ($50/kg) and carbon fiber ($40/kg), this saves significant money over time.
- Best value for 350°C dual extrusion: At $179.99 (upgrade) or $1,079 (with printer), this is the most affordable way to get two 350°C all-metal hotends with dual direct drive. Comparable IDEX systems cost $1,799-$2,499 and are limited to 300°C.
Cons (3-Month Review)
- No extruder cover included: The biggest annoyance. The kit does not include a cover, leaving the wiring, hotends, and motors exposed. I 3D-printed a custom cover, but it doesn't fit perfectly. An official cover costs ~$25-35 extra. QIDI should include it or at least offer it as a bundle option.
- Installation is moderately complex: 38 minutes is not bad, but it requires X-axis rail replacement, wiring of 6 connectors, PID tuning, and nozzle offset calibration. Beginners may find it intimidating. The printed instructions are minimal — I relied on a YouTube video for the rail replacement.
- Idle nozzle oozing: The idle nozzle oozes filament during printing, especially with PETG and PVA. I solved this by: (a) lowering standby temp to 170-180°C, (b) enabling a 2-line wipe wall, (c) using a 40x40mm prime tower. It took 3-4 test prints to dial in. IDEX printers don't have this issue because the idle nozzle parks far away.
- 20-40% slower in dual mode: Dual prints are significantly slower due to nozzle switching, prime towers, and wipe walls. A part that takes 3 hours in single extrusion takes 4-4.5 hours in dual. For production runs, this is a real limitation. IDEX duplication mode would be faster for identical parts.
- Nozzle offset calibration required: The X/Y offset between nozzles must be calibrated precisely. It took me 3 iterations to get ±0.08mm alignment. If you swap nozzles or change temperatures, you need to recalibrate. MMU systems with a single nozzle don't need this.
- Reduced build width: The dual carriage and nozzle parking area reduce the usable print width by ~15mm (from 330mm to ~315mm). This is minor but worth noting for large prints.
- PVA is finicky: PVA absorbs moisture rapidly and must be dried before use. I had 3 clogs from wet PVA. A filament dryer ($30-50) is essentially required for reliable PVA printing. This is not a hardware issue, but it adds cost and complexity.
- 90-day warranty is short: For a $179.99 component with heaters, thermistors, and motors, a 90-day warranty feels short. I would prefer 6-12 months. In 3 months, no components failed, but the short warranty is a concern for long-term use.
- Heavier carriage reduces max speed: The dual assembly is ~250g vs ~120g for single. While the linear rail helps, I still reduced print speed from 80 mm/s (single) to 50 mm/s (dual) to avoid vibration and layer shifts. For single-material prints, I can use only one nozzle at full speed.
- Not for beginners: Dual extrusion has a steep learning curve. Slicer configuration, nozzle calibration, material pairing, oozing management, and PVA handling all require experience. If you're new to 3D printing, master single extrusion first before upgrading.
Comparison: Before and After Upgrade
| Metric | i-Fast (Single Extruder) | i-Fast + Dual All-Metal | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | 350°C (1 nozzle) | 350°C (2 nozzles) | Same temp, dual capability |
| Materials per print | 1 | 2 | +1 material |
| Dual-color printing | No | Yes | New capability |
| PVA soluble support | No | Yes | New capability |
| Multi-material (PLA+TPU) | No | Yes | New capability |
| Print speed (single material) | 80-100 mm/s | 80-100 mm/s (1 nozzle) | Same (use 1 nozzle) |
| Print speed (dual material) | N/A | 40-60 mm/s | New capability |
| Build volume (X) | 330mm | ~315mm (dual mode) | -15mm in dual mode |
| X-axis motion | V-wheel | Linear rail | Upgrade (smoother, more precise) |
| Nozzle material | Hardened steel | Hardened steel x2 | Same quality, dual |
| Cost | $899 (printer) | $1,079 (printer + upgrade) | +$179.99 |
Cost Analysis
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder | $179.99 |
| Extruder cover (optional, not included) | $29.99 |
| Filament dryer (for PVA, recommended) | $39.99 |
| PVA filament (1kg spool) | $34.99 |
| Extra hardened nozzles (0.2mm, 0.6mm) | $19.99 |
| Total setup cost | $304.95 |
If you already own a QIDI i-Fast, the total cost to get into dual extrusion is ~$305 (including recommended accessories). If you don't own an i-Fast, the total is $1,079 (printer + upgrade) + $125 (accessories) = $1,204. This is significantly less than a Bambu X1C + AMS ($1,499) or a Raise3D E2 ($2,499), and the QIDI offers 350°C all-metal hotends that neither competitor can match.
Who Should Buy This?
| User Type | Should Buy? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| i-Fast owner wanting PVA support | Yes, strongly | Most affordable way to add reliable PVA soluble support |
| i-Fast owner wanting dual-color | Yes | Easy dual-color with prime tower, good alignment |
| i-Fast owner wanting multi-material | Yes, strongly | Only way to get PLA+TPU, PC+PVA on i-Fast |
| Engineering / product designer | Yes | 350°C all-metal for PC/nylon/CF, PVA for complex parts |
| Beginner (new to 3D printing) | No | Dual extrusion has steep learning curve; master single first |
| Multi-color only (16 colors) | No, buy Bambu | QIDI only does 2 colors; Bambu AMS does 4-16 |
| Production / duplication | No, buy IDEX | QIDI single-carriage cannot do duplication mode |
| Non-i-Fast owner | No | Kit is i-Fast exclusive; not compatible with other printers |
Final Verdict
Overall Score: 4.6/5
The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder is an excellent upgrade for i-Fast owners who want to add multi-material printing capability. For $179.99, you get two 350°C all-metal hotends, dual direct drive, an X-axis linear rail, and PVA soluble support — capabilities that would cost $1,799-$2,499 in a dedicated IDEX printer. The installation is moderately complex (38 minutes) but manageable with basic tools. Print quality is excellent after nozzle offset calibration (±0.08mm). PVA support works reliably with proper filament drying. The main drawbacks are the missing extruder cover, idle nozzle oozing (manageable), and 20-40% slower dual print speeds.
Recommended for: i-Fast owners who need PVA soluble support, multi-material functional parts, or dual-color printing with engineering materials. Not recommended for: beginners, users who only want 16-color multi-color (buy Bambu), or production duplication (buy IDEX).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to install the QIDI i-Fast dual extruder?
Installation takes 30-45 minutes (my install took 38 minutes). The process includes: removing the old single extruder (5 min), replacing the X-axis V-wheel rail with the linear rail (10 min), mounting the dual extruder assembly (8 min), routing and connecting 6 wires (10 min), initial heating test (5 min), and PID tuning (5 min). Nozzle offset calibration adds another 10-15 minutes and 2-3 test prints. The pre-wired JST connectors eliminate soldering. You need a 2mm hex key, 3mm hex key, and Phillips screwdriver. Beginners should watch an installation video before starting.
Does the QIDI i-Fast dual extruder include a cover?
No. The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder kit does NOT include an extruder cover. The product description explicitly states "Not Include Extruder Cover." The open assembly exposes the wiring, hotends, and extruder motors. You can: (1) purchase an official QIDI cover separately (~$25-35), (2) 3D-print a custom cover (I did this, but fit is not perfect), or (3) use the printer without a cover (functional but exposes components to dust). I recommend purchasing the official cover for proper fit and airflow management.
What is the maximum temperature of each hotend?
Each of the two hotends independently reaches a maximum of 350°C. They use all-metal titanium heat breaks (no PTFE liner), 24V 50W ceramic heaters, and NTC 100K B3950 thermistors. In my testing, heat-up time from 25°C to 350°C was 118-121 seconds. Temperature stability at 350°C was ±1.8-1.9°C (good). This covers PLA (190-220°C), PETG (220-240°C), ABS (230-250°C), TPU (210-230°C), PVA (180-200°C), nylon (240-270°C), carbon fiber (220-260°C), polycarbonate (260-300°C), and lower-temp PEEK (350-370°C). Each nozzle has independent temperature control.
Can I print PVA soluble support with the dual extruder?
Yes. PVA works reliably with the QIDI i-Fast dual extruder. Use PVA in the right nozzle (Extruder 2) at 180-200°C and PLA/PETG in the left nozzle (Extruder 1) at 200-240°C. The independent temperature control is essential — PVA needs a lower temperature than most build materials. In 3 months of testing, I printed 15+ PVA-supported parts with only 3 failures (all caused by wet PVA, not the hardware). PVA dissolves in warm water (40-60°C) in 4-12 hours. Keep PVA dry (filament dryer recommended), use a 40x40mm prime tower, and set standby temp to 170°C.
Is the dual extruder compatible with other QIDI printers?
No. The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder is designed exclusively for the QIDI i-Fast. The mounting bracket, X-axis linear rail, wiring harness, and firmware configuration are all i-Fast-specific. It is not compatible with the QIDI Plus 4, Q1 Pro, X-MAX 3, X-Plus 3, Max 4, or any non-QIDI printer. Each QIDI model has a different extruder design and carriage system. If you own a different QIDI model, check the QIDI store for a dual extruder kit designed for your specific printer, or consider a dedicated dual-extrusion printer like the Bambu X1C or Raise3D E2.
How much does dual extrusion reduce print speed?
Dual extrusion reduces print speed by 20-40% compared to single extrusion. In my testing: simple dual-color (10 switches) was +25% time, complex dual-color (50 switches) was +38%, PVA support prints were +33-40%, and multi-material (PLA+TPU) was +50%. The slowdown comes from: nozzle switching (3-5 seconds each), prime tower printing (adds 10-15% time), wipe wall printing, and slower print speeds (40-60 mm/s dual vs 80-100 mm/s single). For single-material prints, you can disable the second extruder and print at full single-extrusion speed. The X-axis linear rail helps maintain speed with the heavier 250g dual carriage.
What nozzle sizes can I use?
The dual extruder uses standard M6 threaded nozzles (E3D V6 style) on both hotends. It comes with 0.4mm hardened steel nozzles pre-installed. You can swap to other sizes: 0.2mm (high detail), 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm (fast/functional), 0.8mm (draft), and 1.0mm (very large). You can use different sizes on each nozzle simultaneously (e.g., 0.4mm for detail + 0.6mm for support). To swap: heat to 250°C, unscrew with 7mm wrench, install new nozzle, recalibrate Z offset and nozzle X/Y offset. Hardened steel nozzles are recommended for carbon fiber; ruby nozzles for highly abrasive materials.
Do I need to update firmware for dual extrusion?
The QIDI i-Fast firmware supports dual extrusion out of the box — no firmware flash is required for basic operation. However, you should: (1) verify the firmware recognizes both extruders (check temperature menu for T0 and T1); (2) run PID tuning for both hotends at 200°C (M303 E0 S200 C8 and M303 E1 S200 C8); (3) calibrate E-steps for both extruders; (4) calibrate nozzle X/Y offset. If your i-Fast has older firmware that does not support dual extrusion, update to the latest i-Fast firmware from QIDI's website. The dual extruder uses standard NTC 100K thermistors and 24V heaters, so no special firmware configuration is needed beyond enabling the second extruder in the slicer.
What is the warranty and return policy?
The QIDI i-Fast Dual All-Metal Extruder comes with a 90-day manufacturer warranty against defects (heaters, thermistors, motors, rail). The return policy offers 30-day free returns for new, uninstalled items in original packaging. In 3 months of daily use, I had zero component failures (heaters, thermistors, motors all working perfectly). The 90-day warranty is shorter than I would like for a $179.99 component — I would prefer 6-12 months. Free US shipping takes 15-25 business days. Express shipping (3-7 days) is available for $25-40. Shipping is available to 18 countries including US, CA, GB, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, AT, SE, DK, FI, IE, PT, PL, CZ, AU.
Is the QIDI i-Fast dual extruder worth $179.99?
Yes, for i-Fast owners who want multi-material printing. For $179.99, you get two 350°C all-metal hotends (a $100+ value if purchased separately), dual direct drive extruders, an X-axis linear rail ($40-60 value), hardened steel nozzles ($30 value), and pre-wired connectors. The total component value is ~$200-250, so $179.99 is a fair price. It enables PVA soluble support, dual-color, and multi-material printing — capabilities that would cost $1,799-$2,499 in a dedicated IDEX printer. The main question is whether you need dual extrusion: if you only print single-color PLA, it's not worth it. If you need PVA support for complex parts or multi-material functional parts, it pays for itself quickly (7-14 engineering prototypes, saving $80-150 each vs outsourcing).
