This person bought a 3D printer. They learned what things are good to make, and what things are not good to make. It's fun to make things, but some things are better to buy. Making mistakes is okay. You can learn and get better!
The author shares their experience with a new 3D printer. They discuss what projects are worthwhile, like custom parts and tools, and what to avoid, such as replacements for strong metal parts or items needing high heat resistance. Experimenting and learning from mistakes is key, and sometimes buying a ready-made product is best.
This article details practical insights into 3D printing, differentiating between viable projects and those best left to conventional manufacturing. It emphasizes the value of 3D printing for prototyping and creating custom solutions, while cautioning against its use for high-stress or high-precision components where off-the-shelf alternatives offer superior performance and cost-effectiveness. The iterative design process and inherent limitations of the technology are also discussed.