"But it can't make steel rods, so it's not a true replicator."

... who cares about steel rods. However:

"The next version of RepRap will be able to make its own electric circuitry - a technology we have already proved experimentally - though not its electronic chips. After that we'll look to doing transistors with it, and so on..."

But... it can't make electric circuits?

So now the extended phenotype includes the brain and vital organs too? Basically, all it can make without externally manufactured materials is the plastic joints?

I'll tell you what it can make without any extra help: overblown, undeserved hype.