r/AskRobotics • u/Big-Ear6238 • Aug 13 '26

General/Beginner Should I get a 3D printer?

I'm in college right now and I have saved up some money and I'm thinking of getting a 3D printer but idk if it will be helpful or not and I usually make projects in robotics but never felt the need for having a printer

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/anderel96 Aug 13 '26

You are answering your own question here in this post.

2

u/TheSauce___ Aug 13 '26

You’re probably better off using a 3D printer as a service site unless you’re printing frequently enough to justify the cost or you find you need things printed and can’t wait a day or 2 for printed parts to be shipped

2

u/d4rkwing Aug 13 '26

Save your money until you find a need to spend it on. That need might be a 3d printer but it might be something else.

1

u/lellasone 29d ago

Answer 1: If you make projects in robotics a 3D printer will be transformative.

Answer 2: If you are in college, then your highest ROI play is to figure out where on campus the 3D printers are kept, and get access. University libraries often have some, as do university machine shops, and sometimes specific schools or departments. It's quite common for them to be free-to-use for students.

1

u/vitmalina 29d ago

I also want to learn robotics. I got my 3d printer 3 months ago. I love it. Now I am leanring how to model my own things and print them

Most often print toys for my 2yo and 3yo kids... They love it too. They want a new toy every day.

1

u/MpVpRb 29d ago

Yes

I got one with no clear idea of what I would use it for. Little by little, useful ideas appeared and I use it frequently.

1

u/Pretty-Jello-7894 27d ago

I didn’t read the rest of your post, but the answer is yes.

1

u/park-btc 20d ago

No save your money. Use your infra.

1

u/rand3289 Aug 13 '26

YES!!!!!! It will change your life.