I wasn't offended, sorry if I sounded rough!
I totally agree with you, casting and machining aren't things of the past, I've been in the field (sheet metal working and Laser cutting, and a degree in "mechatronic" (I think it's the right translation for "Genie Mécanique" ).
I was just trying to point that in some situation (here, my situation, where I can only crate behind my computer, where precision is not required to be down to 1/100th mm, and where I don't intend to mass produce it), 3D printing can be a good solution.
3D printing is a new solution for new needs, not a replacement in any way, I agree!
I would love to be able to cast, and have my own fabrication workshop. It will happen, but I'm not quite there yet... I don't even have a place to work on my car without pissing off the neighbors :/
Ben.