I was thinking about this question today as someone used our work printer for some personal stuff.

As for me, I am printing little things that I would say make it worth it. I’ve printed lens adapters for my camera for example. That’s worth a good 14 to 30 bucks per print. My most favorite photo was with an adapted lens that came from a projector. I also printed IEMs and those things are worth it. Listening to music is second to none on those things. Plus I printed the same shell but for ear protection and again the fit is perfect and sure there’s post processing to get smooth surfaces but in the end it looks like a professional made it. So I think 3d printers are worth it.

  • chunkystyles@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    25·
    3 months ago

    Buying a 3d printer and learning CAD is unlocking a super power. You can put something from your brain into the real world. It’s great for hyper specific parts.

    • NoneYa@lemm.eeEnglish
      6·
      3 months ago

      This is the crazy part for me. Sometimes I’ll just sit there and stare at a part I designed and printed and just be in awe that this was in my brain a few hours ago and now I’m actually holding it in my hands. Well maybe not this exactly, but as close as I could come to what I was thinking of.

      • InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        That was blowing my mind the first time I printed a prototype. Still kinda does.
        That and sharing models is great. Like I can literally download a physical object. Sure the printing is an extra step, but that’s still amazing to me 10 years after firing up my first printer.