3D printers are quite popular, many libraries have them available for you to use, people created businesses to print parts for others. Not many want to use the library because of perverts who use the computers for porn & depending on how many parts you want, it can add up if you use a 3D print service. Those considerations might make you think that purchasing one is worth it but it's not that simple. You should think about the reason you want a 3D printer. Do you want to print a part for the closet hanger bar you keep putting too much weight on? Maybe you're wanting to print a grip for your elderly parent's or grandparent's cane. It probably isn't worth spending hundreds for a part you can replace for a few bucks.
Did you know the items you buy don't really cost that much? Most of the cost is from the store you buy it from. If you were to buy a 20oz bottle of soda, you're paying maybe twice the market value. Why throw away or recycle the soda bottle you paid twice the price the retailer did? Why toss it when you can use it again for water or even juice? I decided to take a different direction with recycling by printing this soda bottle bong. Instead of the traditional bottle bong with the hole that's probably too big or too low, this eliminates all the problems by screwing onto the top of the soda bottle.
Do you got an expensive hobby like I do? What about the will to be self reliant? Well if you said yes to one or both of those questions, you might be into nerdy shit like I me. Maybe you have some type of business with a server room. I happen to love computers, maybe it's similar to some autistic people loving trains, I'm not too sure but servers are my favorite. They got all that computing power & IO required for my many different needs. When organizing all the cables on my rack, it can get quite difficult, taking hours to bundle them up neatly until I've printed the cable comb. These things can cost you anywhere between $80 to $120. Why would I pay that much when I can print it for about $5 at home?
Are you into photography? If the answer is yes, you may know how expensive it can be as a hobby. I do wildlife photography & street photography around Reno, occasionally attending protests to record & photograph. Taking photos during the day can be frustrating since you might have the sun off to the side of your subject, creating a lens flair, ruining your photo. I looked online & seen how expensive lens hoods happen to be so I decided to print one. It's pretty obvious what I did, I printed it for about $2. I lost it running across the street so I got home & printed another one, saving between $120 & $210.
If you were to ask me, I'd say purchasing yourself a 3D printer is totally worth the cost because you're able to save hundreds, depending on your needs. I'd say it's crucial for freelancers since it can produce accessories at a small fraction of the price. You can see more on my YouTube channel where I post 3D printing videos & more, I'm building a drone with a raspberry pi & 3D printed parts it'll have a package compartment too. If you visit my YouTube channel, feel free to subscribe, it's a free way to support me & you'll know when to tune into the live stream I'm hosting when the drone is complete.