consumer grade<p>The Slow, Sad, and Ultimately Predictable Decline of consumer grade 3-D Printing.<p>Constant advances are made in additive manufacturing as well as subtractive manufacturing (machining). Serious hobbyist probably gets more joy from small CNC milling machine or lathe that works with metal and wood than 3-D printer that squirts out glue.<p>Buying your own 3-D printer is usually completely unnecessary. There exists many companies that print what you want using high quality equipment if you send them blueprints. Making prototypes and special parts is getting much easier. You can print carbon fiber, titanium etc. or get precision milled parts from the net.