Re:I built a 3D printing business and ran it for 8 months
by harshdoesdev on Friday April 17, 2026 @03:35PM
(#47809710)
i too wanted to purchase 5-6 3D printers and start a business - basically my version of goose farming after i leave the software dev space for the greater good of mankind :)
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Re:I built a 3D printing business and ran it for 8 months
by wespiser_2018 on Friday April 17, 2026 @04:07PM
(#47810020)
I would start with one printer, only print PLA, then talk to your neighbors and family about it and focus on printing things they want and use.
The card stands were a lot of fun, but most of what I print now are dog toys and gifts for my niece and nephew. It's nice to roll up to a family holiday, and have something interesting and unique you can just hand out.
You could get started doing that for just a couple hundred bucks and some desk space!
Re:I built a 3D printing business and ran it for 8 months
by dekhn on Friday April 17, 2026 @05:45PM
(#47810949)
I've got enough equipment and skills already to run an etsy shop when I retire, but looking at the economics, I concluded that it would just turn an enjoyable hobby into a chore, and I didn't want to do that.