Postby Lambot909 » Fri Apr 17, 2015 6:00 pm
The OP has not specified what they want - so it is safe to make some assumptions. I think the cost isn’t usually the driver here. My point is, you can find a cheap CNC aluminum part from First Cut for as much price or even a little more expensive as you might pay for a SLA. So I will approach you question by giving reason why you should machine and not 3D print, and still hope to answer your question.
First, mostly 3D printing is not a production material therefore if you have a part in the material you will end up in using production with. Moreover, even if you can 3D print in your material you will still go to production with.
Finally, the reason why you should consider machining other than 3D printing is that, it allows tighter tolerance. Come to think of it, it is easier to take a few machining passes at a part until you get to plus or minus .001 which may prove to be difficult with 3D printers to carry out the same task. However, if you are looking for tight 3D printed parts, I would recommend that you try other prototypes other than Fineline Prototyping.