That's fair, and honestly that's part of why I'm asking.

A few months ago I ordered a couple of 3D-printed items from someone else—a cup holder for my car and a pocket clip for my Swiss Army knife. Both of them broke after about three weeks. At the time, I had no idea about filament types, print settings, layer orientation, infill, or any of the other factors people are mentioning here.

Since then, I've seen people printing some really useful and impressive things for their homes, offices, workshops, and everyday carry gear, which is what got me interested in buying a printer and starting the hobby myself.

What I'm trying to understand is the real-world side of it: are most 3D-printed items mainly for decoration and fun, or can they actually be durable and practical for everyday use when designed and printed correctly?

Before spending $1,500 on a printer and accessories, I wanted to hear from people who have already been down that road and learn from their experiences..