You can have your very own 3-D printer from MakerBot - I looked up prices on the internet - for a mere $2,799, which actually is pretty darn cheap. Of course, you'll also need a digitizing scanner, which runs another $1,400, plus the filament, which is the stuff the 3-D stuff is printed on. A roll of "stellar pink" ABS, whatever that may be, is $48, but assuming you won't want everything you printed to be stellar pink, you'll want other colors as well. So for a mere $4,247 you can get started printing your very own stellar pink 3-D objects up to nine inches tall. Think of the money you'll save on wrong-sized screws!
I think the only thing that dissuades me from ordering one right now, is the little motto on the Replicator 2-X: "Designed for daredevils and experimenters." I don't know which marketing genius inserted the word daredevil, but it dampens my enthusiasm a little. Another was a little red label stating "Warning: patience and a sense of adventure required."
For the time being, I'll leave 3-D printing to the daredevils. I get enough adventure looking for my cellphone charger.
