Laser cutters are still a bit pricey, but 3D printers can be had in kit form for $500 now ( https://reprappro.com/shop/reprap-kits/huxley-duo-kit/ https://repra

Laser cutters are still a bit pricey, but 3D printers can be had in kit form for $500 now ( https://reprappro.com/shop/reprap-kits/huxley-duo-kit/ https://reprappro.com/shop/reprap-kits/huxley-duo-kit/ ), and the filament is dirt cheap. I think the biggest block these days on 3d printing becoming more mainstream is the complexity of the design tools, rather than the equipment costs.