I've been looking at the RepRap - Replicating Rapid Prototyper, for a long time but I think I finally want to get one so that I can create my own shells. I've tried vacforming but it just doesn't seem to do it since I have to build a skeletal structure everytime for my internal components. Does anyone know any info on the reprap or other inexpensive 3d printers?

there's fabbing@home, but that's more expensive. I've looked a lot at the reprap, it seems fairly hard and expensive to get all the parts together, but it does seem like a nice project. Plus, if you build one you'll be able to make the new version which will be able to print circuit boards.

If you have the money and time, I'd give it a try. Keep in mind however, that the results, depending on the quality of your reprap/repstrap, may be a bit uneven