[scythe]

I guess my objection is that when I was younger, we owned an actual printer, and now, we don't. They're annoying. I think the more likely outcome is that you take your design to the "print shop" and get it printed. 3D printers likely require a lot of maintenance and calibration.

In my field (medical physics), the technology is constantly improving, but the maintenance requirements never go away. High precision requires high effort; high complexity, generally, requires high precision. That goes triple if you want to eat off it.

Plus, you probably want a variety of materials — are we going to eat off of a plastic spoon, or melt metal in our houses? Space Kinko's can stock everything from aluminum bronze to Zylon composites.

[usrusr]

The copyshop model might work out really well. Perhaps cross-pollinated with the MacDonald's model, ideally not by making the entire site run under e.g. Shapeways flag but less granular: "Mike's materializers" around the corner might have brand A processes x, y and z available, and brand B processes w and x, whereas "Jen's stuffmakers" further north has u through y from B but only y and z from A. The model directories list compatible sites near you with each model.

[thrwn_frthr_awy]

Right, we aren't there yet, but that doesn't mean we can't get there.

Growing up we had an Adam computer in the 80's but we got rid of it and didn't have anything until years later when we purchased an Apple LC II. That's what we need–an Apple computer for 3D printing/CNC/Laser. The Shaper Origin is a great step forward, but it still requires specific skills, but I do think we will get there.

[zdragnar]

Sure, every home could have its own craft beer brewing kit.

The thing is, unless you're enjoying it as a hobby, it's better to just buy it pre-made. You don't need to buy materials to have on hand, or guide the process of making it. And, you don't have to wait for it to be finished.

Same goes for any number of other hobbies- silk screen printing t shirts, candle and soap making, etc.

Would I want enough printable materials on hand to print a couch at any given time, or would I want to order them, then manually print a couch? Or just order one from a local print shop and have it delivered already made?

99% of people don't want to lose valuable storage space in their home to raw materials if they don't have to.