I'm thinking about asking for a 3D printer for Christmas. Not an expensive one, just one in the $300 range. Is it worth having one?
What are you intending to do with it? Or you want one for shits and giggles?
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Depends what you want to do with it. At that price range, you'll be able to make small things I'm assuming. Otherwise, get something else.
What is your background with this sort of thing? Do you know CAD or how to use a 3d printer in general? Are you looking to actually make things, if so what things, or just have some fun?
You would be surprised what you can get for $300. They don't get that much better until you spend like $1000 on one and that is just out of the price range for what most people are willing to pay for something that won't be used frequently.$300 range 3d printers in current space year 2019... they are better than they were when they first got popular but that is still on the low end.
What is your background with this sort of thing? Do you know CAD or how to use a 3d printer in general? Are you looking to actually make things, if so what things, or just have some fun?
You have an alternative pathway too. Many people get these and rent them out, libraries/hackerspaces/makerspaces often have them, schools/universities might have them and you do also have things like https://alternativeto.net/software/shapeways/
Depending upon what one you go for you might end up more or less involved (hackerspaces and such will probably allow you there to learn, private renters may or may not), but regardless of what goes it will give you an idea of the processes.
Cost wise then with the cost of most cheapo 3d printer feed materials (look them up if you have not already - if your printer tries to lock you into some materials then it can get silly expensive) then it takes a while to catch up, and if it means you don't have a $300 anchor around your neck...
Alternative alternative. Small CNC router. Don't know whether you want to go Chinese 3020 or 6040 style or something a bit nicer. These get you all the same fun with CAD and learning machining, have a far wider selection of materials (and you can use all the same ones you would have for 3d printing), for the same money have far tighter tolerances, can make most of the same things (overhangs and cavities can be tricky with routers) and a few things you can't by virtue of materials and the machines themselves. Or if you prefer I can see you making something you could sell with a CNC, certainly can make things you can fix things in the real world with, but with a $300 3d printer... it is not impossible but I would be impressed. I don't know whether you will make it to something that will reliably cut steel for that kind of money.
I'm thinking about asking for a 3D printer for Christmas. Not an expensive one, just one in the $300 range. Is it worth having one?