I would suggest a 3d printer. Simply because a printer can produce more complex parts than a similarly priced mill. For comparison, ChuckCrunch bought a cnc mill for about 1500. He has more X and Y travel, but, his Z is only 50 to 75mm. With a printer, you can print some pretty intricate parts that a 3 axis mill just could not manage. However, you will not be producing the beautiful aluminium parts that Chuck is.