Comment Re:RepRap can't replicate itself (Score 3, Insightful) 91
Yeah OK, I'll bite.
A) Skill
Nearly anyone can operate a 3D printer quietly, cleanly, inexpensively and safely. Comparing a lathe or mill to a 3D printer is akin to rubbishing a Ford Focus because it's not an F-15. Someone having read a wiki can download an STL from thingiverse, click print and enjoy the results. Getting good at machining takes years of dedication.
B) Cost
A reprap can be built for under $800 and a little elbow grease. The cheapest vertical mill is about USD$4k, not including shipping, installation, and replacing the shitty bits. Running costs for a reprap are far lower also, both in terms of power consumption, tooling and stock.
C) Part strength
Obviously this is where Fused Deposition Method (FDM) printing can't keep up to a part machined from steel or aluminium, but that's not the point. There are a great many things around the average house or workshop for which a 3D-printed part would be perfectly suitable. Examples:
Buckle clip:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1272
Wifi-driven tank (Disclaimer: mine):
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13496
Goddamned quadcopter (also mine):
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26041
Angle brackets:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34422
Storage bins:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38194
Tape dispenser:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34816
In summary: Nobody is going to install a mill in their home office. 3D printed parts are suitable for many actually useful applications, not just trivial frippery.