3D modelling is the big learning curve, but obviously independent of owning a 3D printer. Running a printer (assuming you get a reliable model) is straightforwa

3D modelling is the big learning curve, but obviously independent of owning a 3D printer. Running a printer (assuming you get a reliable model) is straightforward in comparison. Having tried most of the options there are, I’d recommend downloading Fusion 360 and following a few of the many online tutorials. While the free version is a little restricted, it’s a high-quality parametric 3D CAD package, and to my mind is superior to everything else at a hobbyist price point. It’s also faaaaaaar more approachable (IMO) and/or fully-featured than other free options such as OpenSCAD or FreeCAD. A few weeks of following tutorials and trying to make your own simple models should see you to a level where you can judge whether it’s the right hobby for you, and therefore whether it’s worth investing in a printer.