3 ms·

I have kind of set that rule for myself. I'm not going to buy a 3D printer until I have 10 projects ready to print. I'm still thinking about the first.

somat 4y ago
I too have a hard time coming up with examples of oddly shaped plastic I would really like to have. On the other hand I am always coming up with bent pieces of metal I really want. With the conclusion that a sheet metal cutter would be far more useful than a 3d printer, so that is what I am going to get.
stavros 4y ago
That's a very wrong mindset, in my opinion. Before I bought a printer, I had zero things I wanted to print. Now that I know how to design and print things, you can't walk two steps around the house and not find a 3D printed thing. It's not just baubles, either, each thing improves my life somehow. To the holder of the falling toilet seat, to the toothbrush holder, to the sink sponge case. And the argument of "couldn't you go to the store to get some of those things" is the same as saying "couldn't you go to the laundromat to wash your clothes"? Yes I could, but once you're used to the convenience and speed, you'll never go back.
GuB-42 4y ago
I actually thought the same thing, and then I found a really cheap printer ($75 all included) at my local big box store. I am way passed the 10 projects mark (not counting benchies and 3D printer parts) and bought a more capable printer. Most of what I print are publicly available models, but some of them I did myself. What I have done: shower head support, various boxes, curtain hooks, phone stand, drain filter, novelty dices, etc... Most of these I would never have thought of before I got my printer, and yet, these are actually useful stuff. For example, for the curtain hooks, before I had the 3D printer, I had to buy some that didn't quite fit because the original one that broke are not available anymore, and sometimes, they fell. The new ones I printed to measurements fit perfectly. That's the idea, you need something, you print it. Of course, there are many things you can't print or it makes no sense to, but it really is useful. Also I originally underestimated PLA, it is actually quite strong. There are even ways of making it heat resistant (regular PLA starts to deform at around 60C, which can happen in a hot car). That being said, it is still a hobby. 3D printers, especially the cheap ones are far from consumer friendly and you need to be familiar with its workings and how to setup your slicer. And there is the big one: CAD. You can limit yourself to printing others people models, but you would be missing on a lot of potential.

somat 4y ago

I too have a hard time coming up with examples of oddly shaped plastic I would really like to have. On the other hand I am always coming up with bent pieces of metal I really want. With the conclusion that a sheet metal cutter would be far more useful than a 3d printer, so that is what I am going to get.

stavros 4y ago

That's a very wrong mindset, in my opinion. Before I bought a printer, I had zero things I wanted to print. Now that I know how to design and print things, you can't walk two steps around the house and not find a 3D printed thing. It's not just baubles, either, each thing improves my life somehow. To the holder of the falling toilet seat, to the toothbrush holder, to the sink sponge case. And the argument of "couldn't you go to the store to get some of those things" is the same as saying "couldn't you go to the laundromat to wash your clothes"? Yes I could, but once you're used to the convenience and speed, you'll never go back.

GuB-42 4y ago

I actually thought the same thing, and then I found a really cheap printer ($75 all included) at my local big box store. I am way passed the 10 projects mark (not counting benchies and 3D printer parts) and bought a more capable printer. Most of what I print are publicly available models, but some of them I did myself. What I have done: shower head support, various boxes, curtain hooks, phone stand, drain filter, novelty dices, etc... Most of these I would never have thought of before I got my printer, and yet, these are actually useful stuff. For example, for the curtain hooks, before I had the 3D printer, I had to buy some that didn't quite fit because the original one that broke are not available anymore, and sometimes, they fell. The new ones I printed to measurements fit perfectly. That's the idea, you need something, you print it. Of course, there are many things you can't print or it makes no sense to, but it really is useful. Also I originally underestimated PLA, it is actually quite strong. There are even ways of making it heat resistant (regular PLA starts to deform at around 60C, which can happen in a hot car). That being said, it is still a hobby. 3D printers, especially the cheap ones are far from consumer friendly and you need to be familiar with its workings and how to setup your slicer. And there is the big one: CAD. You can limit yourself to printing others people models, but you would be missing on a lot of potential.