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Have you guys looked into these printers? Good for printing 3D prototypes of custom parts. The prices for one start at about US$500 for a easy to use XYZ Da Vinci. They are pretty accurate. I think I'm going to get one, a reasonably priced one to learn the G code.

Then when the tech really matures, get the more sophisticated laser 3D printers. By that time a production quality home printer shouldn't cost more than US$1000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1n897z_3Cw

Oh, you want mature??? How about printed titanium variable geometry turbine housings? He only tells you about them with some quick, simple footage, but
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6cs7opvzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMLnmvLYTVw

Duk wrote:Oh, you want mature??? How about printed titanium variable geometry turbine housings? He only tells you about them with some quick, simple footage, but
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6cs7opvzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMLnmvLYTVw

yep really cool stuff, but something for a hobby budget?
I don't know what your budget is, but with that kind of money you wouldn't be fiddling with alfa's

to dream some more:
http://www.youtube.com/user/LayerWise
http://www.youtube.com/user/imaterialise
http://www.youtube.com/user/3TRPD
http://www.youtube.com/user/Shapeways

Duk, those things cost more than a house!

Right now, the entry level hobby machine can create pretty good 3D prototypes from ABS or PLA. And it's no longer a kit style setup. Some work right out of the box. By next year it would be mature enough for home users to get a very usable printer.

But in 3-4 years, the technology will be mature enough that we can get super accurate models built.

I was at the London Science Museum last year and they had a 3D printer which was total shite. I checked some of the kits people were building for 2013, and it was better than the one at the museum.

Right now a ready to use out of the box 3D printer is about $499. I think for about $999 you can get a really good one. In 3-4 years for the same amount of money, you can get a laser based printer.