Originally Posted by daddy_fu

We have a couple at the office. I don't know which brand off hand, and I don't know when I'll be in the office. But I can tell you a couple things worth considering.

• They're not easy to assemble or operate, and documentation often seems like an afterthought.
• You need to learn to use 3D modeling software. You can download 3D models created by other people, but at some point you have to learn to modify the models.
• They give off a small amount of toxic fumes, so you want to use them in a well ventilated area.
• They are slow! Most of the time our guys would send a job to the printer before leaving at night, and then come back the next morning to see the results. Which sucks when...
• They sometimes fuck up. We'd get to the office in the morning and find miles of hair thin plastic everywhere.

I think it's easy for these printers to go unused and become expensive dust collectors if you aren't prepared to learn how to use them. Think about how badly you want a 3D printing hobby before you drop $2K+ on one.