Do any of you guys use a 3D Printer at all?

I found myself looking at 3D printers on amazon, and they have some affordable desktop models now and this led me to some youtube channels, where one guy shows off his 3D printed cosplay pieces and another dude prints renders, and I get that they are pretty useful for designers and engineering types, but I still cant figure out what a casual user would print with them?

replacement Lego bricks?

plastic bullets in case Magneto shows up?

do any of you guys use one and if so, what do you print?

@Chatch09: That will be interesting to see, especially when 3D printers come down in price. I admit, I've been looking at the Lulzbot Mini, as it seems like a perfect beginner 3D printer, and I love the aspect of the open hardware and open source software. I've been watching youtube vids and it seems really neat, my biggest problem is I have no idea what I'd do with it.

I used one once at work. They are slow and costly to use - I do not see them (YET) as a general consumer device. But I think they are awesome for the creative hobbyist - you could buy one to make so many custom parts of your design for a larger project, you could buy one to make stylized (albeit likely chunky unless you have a high-end model) miniatures for your own tabletop game, you could buy one to make prototypes of things you want to later have reproduced in metal or something for commercial purposes... imagination is probably the main limiting factor, but, again, with the cost and time investment (both in design and in use) they are probably best reserved at this time for a consumer with clear hobby/whatever purpose in mind

don't own one, but i guess it could be used to make custom gpu backplates and shrouds, fan grills and other small pc case projects.

@xantufrog: I totally agree, I was just thinking that anyone who collects or designs miniatures could probably get a lot of use out of one of those.

I'm not sure we are there yet. The 3D printers out now don't seem to be able to put out quality miniatures from what I've heard. Games Workshop has mentioned this too when talking about the threat of 3D printers.

Just look at these:

I look forward to when they can because Games Workshop will probably lower the prices enough for me to afford to buy stuff from them. Just too bad Warhammer Fantasy won't be around when they do.

Here's a larger version of that picture. You can see the problems better in it.

I am so sad to see the demise of Warhammer Fantasy - I always preferred it to 40k

@gkmogglemog: Oh huh, that's interesting.

I want a 3D printer for printing device enclosures for my projects. I would rather build/buy a soldering reflow oven first based on my needs. 3D printers need to get a little better at their price points for me to dive in.

we have one at work... it's lots of fun to play with. the model is a printerbot simple metal and i think it cost around $550 minus the cost of filament (PLA)

mostly i've only used to to print toys and free stuff off of thingiverse

it is mesmerizing to watch too :)

here's one of the things i printed. it's a little 5 ring gyro with each ring printed in a different color.