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I have access to a decent-ish 3d printer and after several months I still don't haven't had any practical use for it.

That may be due to a lack of imagination.

I've made $500 contracting a short 18 hour gig designing enclosures. I've made shelving. I've made chess sets. I've made heart gears that delighted others. I've made spool rollers, and desktop ornaments.

Just out of curiosity - enclosures for what? Hard drives or something? Did you also sell the shelving, chess sets, heart gears, spool rollers (for spools of filament?), and desktop ornaments? I've got a Printrbot on the way, and I'm interested how people are using these things to make money.

I guess as an aspiring minimalist I just don't care for chess sets or desk ornaments.

Those were just examples. I'm just pointing out that it's a problem with imagination, not ability.

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