Plastic or machined parts have always felt out of reach so I'm not in the habit of believing I can fix things that way yet. I think it'll take some practice to get that idea to sink in. Thanks!
Yes, exactly. Though, I have to say, going from software to hardware was quite magical: You can suddenly affect the physical world, which is amazing. Plus, if you already know software, adding hardware to the mix rounds you out very well, and opens up a large array of things you can make.
> Plastic or machined parts have always felt out of reach so I'm not in the habit of believing I can fix things that way yet.
I very strongly recommend designing a few things in OnShape or FreeCAD or SoveSpace and getting a 3D printer once you get the hang of that (it shouldn't take you very long at all, maybe a few evenings).
Machined parts I find pretty hard, but then again I also found plastic things impossible before getting a printer and they turned out to be quite easy.
I think the current recommendation is either an Ender 3 (for a budget one) or an Ender 5 Pro (if you can afford something a bit better). I would recommend the 5, it looks much sturdier. You might want to eventually add a BLTouch so it automatically levels, and you definitely definitely want to get the "silent" package (it really is entirely silent), the normal one makes way too much noise.