I can't remember the last time I needed a replacement part for something and it was just a monoblock plastic piece.
As the father of two young boys, I could make a full-time job of printing replacement plastic pieces for broken toys.
As the father of two young boys, I could make a full-time job of printing replacement plastic pieces for broken toys.
In a way that's my point - it's probably a 5 hour job to print a replacement plastic peg for some toy. 5 hours is $100 for anyone who can afford a 3D printer. Plus the printer's cost. Financially it makes no sense. As a hobby... brilliant and probably hugely rewarding, but the 3D printing lobby would have you believe we'll all have one and nothing will be landfilled any more.
So 3D printers are great for me, and now I'm on the verge of it being viable to buy rather than outsourcing the printing.
If you live outside a major urban zone, this driving and finding time can be substantial.