What Tooling Do You Have

Community?

People are more important than tools. First check to see if you have a local RepRap User Group. Ideally, they may allow you to "borrow" a set of Mendel parts, either asking a USD$500 deposit or as a gift.

Already have a RepRap? Excellent!

If you have a RepRap, like Mendel, print a set of parts and build a RepRap. This is the ideal case. But if you are reading this, you don't have a RepRap yet.  :D

For Sale Forum

If you'd like to buy a set of parts, and you don't have a local RUG, try the For Sale Forums.

Table Saw

If you have a table saw, build a WolfStrap. You can also build a Wooden_Mendel but it is more complicated and a less elegant use of wood.

Milling Machine

If you have a milling machine, you could build a Metal_Mendel. but you're better off building a WolfStrap out of aluminum.

Or better, build a ORE-Bot. This may require metal-lathe operations.

Drill Press

Build an Eiffel. And then add a Bill of Materials to the page.

No Drill Press?

Build an Eiffel, but use pre-drilled square steel tubing. And then add a Bill of Materials to the page.

Laser Cutter

If you have a Laser Cutter, build a LaserCut RepRap or a Pirated_CupCake. Many local shops which make and engrave trophies, desk ornaments, etc., have moved to Laser Cutters. Many local universities have laser cutters in their art/architecture/engineering/design departments.

Large CNC Router

If you have a large CNC Router, build an Isaac.

Large Pile of Money

If you have a large pile of money, use a commercial 3D printer to print off a set of Mendel parts.