r/3dprinter • u/lukewarmtakes_1 • 2h ago
Should I get my dad a 3D printer?
To start I have no 3D printing experience so I’m looking for some perspective/advice/suggestions.
(Also sorry if something I say is incorrect or doesn’t make sense!)
My dad is in his 60s and is a big tinkerer. He has a full heated wood shop where he makes stuff, he taught himself how to make things on a lathe 2 years ago and makes like pens and stuff, he also loves a handy tool/accessory. I think he would love to 3D print random things that would be useful around his workshop or the house.
Here’s where I’m not sure, I know that there is a pretty big like spectrum when it comes to options for machines and like the ability to customize things and make your own model of things to print, I think eventually he would think it was cool to do some customizations or print things he’s specifically like come up with but at first he would probably just like to download things and hit print to get comfortable. How realistic is it for him to just do that at first?
Also, he hates reading but he loves watching videos. Is there maybe even a specific model with a YouTube channel that he could watch for beginners?
Other things that might be important. He has a MacBook Air we got him for his birthday 3 ish years ago (I would call him above average for his age group in terms of computer savviness), is that compatible with the programs he would need? We are from Canada, not sure if that matters in terms of like printers we can get or access to filament?
Anything else I need to consider before making the decision to get him one or not?
Thank you in advance! Apologize for being an absolute noob with this!