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Beyond the Extruder

Stuart Deutsch

When I am not testing and reviewing new tools, I am working on robotics, electronics, woodworking, and other types of projects.

I am also interested in microscopy, the physical sciences, and new technologies.

I write more about tools and workshop topics over at ToolGuyd.com.

View more articles by Stuart Deutsch

Stuart Deutsch

When I am not testing and reviewing new tools, I am working on robotics, electronics, woodworking, and other types of projects.

I am also interested in microscopy, the physical sciences, and new technologies.

I write more about tools and workshop topics over at ToolGuyd.com.

View more articles by Stuart Deutsch

@ToolGuyd

November 13, 2012, 5:10 pm PST

Bowie the Bunny in fine material powder, with color binders, via powder bed/inkjet process. Photo courtesy of Shapeways.

There has never have been a better time to purchase a desktop 3D printer. Nonetheless, they are still too expensive for many users. If you can’t justify the cost of a personal printer, you may be able to access one at a local hackerspace, and there are many online 3D printing services to choose from, including Ponoko, Shapeways, and i.materialise. These companies use a variety of printing technologies to create physical objects from your digital designs and can print in many other materials besides extruded thermoplastic.