I'm a huge proponent of 3D printing (additive manufacturing). Where it really shines is in recreating parts for which you don't have a master to mold from, or where the original was created with casting, machining, or molding processes which are not feasible to replicate for one or a small batch of parts. It really is a modern miracle in what you can do with it.
If you look in my thread here, you can see part of my process for creating a replica washer discharge spout for a Mustee Duratub 93 laundry sink.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?80324
I have some other washer-related parts I've 3D printed, but haven't shared yet...
That being said, 3D printing might not quite work the way you'd like for your projects. In particular, 3D printing tends to leave parts with "layer lines"... microscopic ridges... as part of the process, which makes the printed parts difficult or impossible to fully clean. There are ways around this, particularly with sanding or chemical treatments, or printing on higher caliber (commercial/industrial) machines that use different processes. In the end, for practicality, you may find that your 3D printed part becomes an ideal candidate as a "plug" or "buck" for mold making, with your "actual" parts then being produced from casts within those molds.
There are secondary issues with 3D printer materials. These are not dead-ends, but things to be aware of if someone says "Yes, my friend has a 3D printer! She could do that for you!".
The vast majority of 3D printers have an extrusion nozzle made of brass, which typically contains around 1-2% lead. Therefore, a printer printing items for food contact would need to have all of the brass components (nozzle, heat break, extruder drive gears, etc) replaced with alternate parts made from metals which do not contain lead, such as stainless steel. Stainless is not as good of a material in some of these applications, so it would be a special use case that makes someone switch to stainless.
The plastics used also must be selected carefully. Some plastics are definitely not food-safe, while others generally are. But those that are will come with documentation (MSDS), and will cost a fair amount more. Also, being food-safe is not a characteristic of the plastic type (Polyethylene, PLA, etc), but rather the specific batch you've received. Almost all 3D printing plastics (called "filament") contains additives to improve printability and mechanical properties, as well as to change the color, opacity, etc. So while the plastic type may be generally food safe, the resulting product might not be after the additives are mixed in.
So it's an amazing technology for all kinds of part reproductions - it just might not be a good match for your needs, since your parts will see direct and repeated food contact.
