[looking for help] Things to look out for when starting a printer business
Hello
I’m someone who is interested in making stuff with artistic/practical uses(sculptures, toolmaking etc.) With the intent of eventually making it into a side gig
I am currently looking for advices, thoughts and opinions on whether or not to follow through and buy a printer by sharing the plans I have for the purchase listing out the potential problems I might face, and ask everyone here what I might be missing.
My biggest concern is I am way over my head as a potential newcomer to this hobby with no prior experiences so I'm just gonna make a General list for what I have planned and ask is this he now planning or if I'm still missing something
Context:
I live in a touristy part of my country where I see a lot of people selling those cheap 3-D printed toy dragons people make all the time and I feel like it could be quite easy for anyone to design, make and sell something that is both better in terms of quality and practicality.
To be frank if it's possible I don't just want to make money, but also contribute more to the community I live in.
Right now I am considering purchasing a FDM printer as a starter in the hopes it could help me make a few projects. (most likely Bambu Lab cuz it’s easier to start)
And here are some of the things that I would like to make both for personal use and potentially selling them.
Tools and machineries:
Creating parts for making DIY milling machine, Mini-Lathe for woodworking or any type of hobbyist machines. (For my personal use)
To make another 3-D printer for bigger projects. (I plan on starting with a plug and play machine first before moving on to more challenging printers)
Cheap Woodworking jigs and measuring tools. (Using and or selling)
Molds:
Molds to for soap and candle making. (Selling)
The master-mold for making plaster molds used in ceramic slip casting. (Selling)
Making metal casting molds using the Lost PLA method, (selling, I always wanted to try out some metal casting)
Modeling
Making models for myself or rent my printer out to students, other hobbyists etc
I know there is a lot of potential in 3-D printing and most of my planned projects will be revolving around making tools that makes more stuff with the occasional art, with a focus on being more eco-friendly.
Some of my more out there ideas includes
Recycling waste plastics into filaments so I can save up on filaments and help reduce waste in my part of town.
Making a printer big enough that it can be used to make furnitures
Start using filaments that are even more biodegradable than PLA for projects
My specific problems and concerns are the following
Experience:
My university degree(Spanish) is mostly irrelevant to these projects, and I don't have much DIY experiences with all these crafts mentioned outside of assembling pre made furnitures, watching YouTube videos and a few projects making plastic hooks with the help of a soldering iron.
The only CAD program I am familiar with is SketchUp, one that I hope is sufficient for now, and I am planning on learning blender so I can make some more complex/artistic sculptures
The relevance:
Some of these projects doesn't necessarily require a 3-D printer to start Like candle making and woodworking.
The space and clean up:
I live with family, and while the house is big and everyone have a personal room, the rest of the space are shared spaces, and I don't think the family will appreciate having the constant stink of plastic fumes in a room even if they rarely stayed in. Let alone how messy some of the projects can get, slip casting for example will almost guarantee having clay and plaster all across the floor.
A lot of these project also demands a huge working space, of which I’m not sure if I will have access of.
The cost:
Buying a printer itself is not really a big deal for me, I have enough money to buy the cheaper printers and filaments, but it will be yet another wasted purchase if things didn't work out.
What the bigger problem I have is what will happen if any of the projects failed and the money that I sank into all those extra materials.
Practicality and feasibility:
A lot of the projects I mentioned people have already done before where other people, my biggest worries are whether or not my inexperienced hands can replicate meaningful results in a safe manner. (I like my body parts intact and lungs healthy)
And even if I did made any of these projects work, what's stopping other people from doing the same? And how do I avoid infringing upon someone's intellectual property?
Thank you for everyone who read all of it, I really hope there is some feasibility to my plans, but I am not sure about it even after watching so many YouTube videos and reading through so many discussion pages.
Please let me know your thoughts and opinions and the feasibility of the my plans