🖨️ Should I Buy This 3D Printer? Let's Find Out
You're staring at that shiny 3D printer online thinking 'I could totally use this!' But then your brain kicks in: do you actually need to own one, or are you just having a moment? This calculator does the math so you don't have to guess. Plug in what the printer costs, how much you'd actually use it, and what you're currently paying for printing services. We'll tell you if buying makes sense or if you should just keep outsourcing like a normal person. Here's the thing: if you're only printing stuff once a month, buying a $500 printer is basically paying $500 for the privilege of troubleshooting at 2 AM. But if you're constantly sending files to print shops and waiting days for results, ownership might actually save you money AND sanity.
Don't forget about the hidden costs
Pro Tip: Don't forget about the hidden costs. Failed prints happen (a lot), filament isn't free, and you'll definitely spend money on "upgrades" you don't need. Factor in about 15% extra for the stuff nobody tells you about.
The obvious costs are easy: printer price, filament, electricity. The sneaky ones? Failed prints that waste material, replacement nozzles, that "essential" upgrade that costs $200, and the 3 hours you'll spend every month troubleshooting why your prints look like spaghetti.
Are you actually going to use this thing?
FYI: This calculator assumes you'll actually use the printer consistently. If you're the type who buys gym memberships and never goes, maybe stick with outsourcing.
Be honest with yourself. If you're printing 10+ hours per month, buying probably makes sense. If you're thinking "I might print something cool someday," just use a print service and save yourself the headache.
Also, consider your patience level. Owning a 3D printer means becoming a part-time technician whether you want to or not.
When does buying actually make sense?
If you're constantly sending files to print shops and waiting days for results, ownership might actually save you money AND sanity. Generally, 10+ hours per month makes buying worth it.
But sometimes it's not just about money. Need to iterate designs quickly? Want to print weird stuff at 2 AM? Love troubleshooting mechanical problems? Then buying might be worth it even if the numbers are close.
Just don't kid yourself about the "learning experience." You'll learn, alright. You'll learn why your prints keep failing and why that one corner always warps.
What if the numbers are close?
If the break-even is around 12-18 months, think about the non-financial stuff: Do you have space? Can you handle the smell of melted plastic? Are you cool with becoming a part-time printer technician?
Sometimes the "wrong" financial choice is the right life choice. Maybe you want the instant gratification of printing right now, or you love tinkering with machines. That's valid too.
Just don't blame us when you're googling "why is my print stringy" at 1 AM for the fifth time this week.
Don't forget about the hidden costs
Pro Tip: Don't forget about the hidden costs. Failed prints happen (a lot), filament isn't free, and you'll definitely spend money on "upgrades" you don't need. Factor in about 15% extra for the stuff nobody tells you about.
The obvious costs are easy: printer price, filament, electricity. The sneaky ones? Failed prints that waste material, replacement nozzles, that "essential" upgrade that costs $200, and the 3 hours you'll spend every month troubleshooting why your prints look like spaghetti.
Are you actually going to use this thing?
FYI: This calculator assumes you'll actually use the printer consistently. If you're the type who buys gym memberships and never goes, maybe stick with outsourcing.
Be honest with yourself. If you're printing 10+ hours per month, buying probably makes sense. If you're thinking "I might print something cool someday," just use a print service and save yourself the headache.
Also, consider your patience level. Owning a 3D printer means becoming a part-time technician whether you want to or not.
When does buying actually make sense?
If you're constantly sending files to print shops and waiting days for results, ownership might actually save you money AND sanity. Generally, 10+ hours per month makes buying worth it.
But sometimes it's not just about money. Need to iterate designs quickly? Want to print weird stuff at 2 AM? Love troubleshooting mechanical problems? Then buying might be worth it even if the numbers are close.
Just don't kid yourself about the "learning experience." You'll learn, alright. You'll learn why your prints keep failing and why that one corner always warps.
What if the numbers are close?
If the break-even is around 12-18 months, think about the non-financial stuff: Do you have space? Can you handle the smell of melted plastic? Are you cool with becoming a part-time printer technician?
Sometimes the "wrong" financial choice is the right life choice. Maybe you want the instant gratification of printing right now, or you love tinkering with machines. That's valid too.
Just don't blame us when you're googling "why is my print stringy" at 1 AM for the fifth time this week.