It has been lauded as a revolutionary new stage of technology that will completely change the way we live.

The three-dimensional printer has the ability to create virtually anything you can imagine.

After being restricted to a select few wealthy enough to afford one, versions of the machine are becoming more accessible and are starting to pop up in the homes of hobbyists.

Two people who are an active part of this “maker” community are Stephen Calver and his son Dean, who have built a 3D printer of their own at their house in Orchard Way, Eastchurch.

It is the latest in a string of mind-blowing machines the duo have made through their unique blend of brains and brawn.

Retired forklift driver Stephen, 58, acquired the knack for building things from his father, who was a chief mechanic in the navy.

He remembers combining the parts of two non-working Austin 100s into one functioning car with his dad when they were “fed up” one summer.

That creative spirit has been passed on to his son, although Dean, 38, admits: “I probably couldn’t change a light bulb.

"Unfortunately I just don’t have as much skill with my hands. I’m more the software and design side of things.

“But we do sit down and do a lot of the designing together. That’s how we work.”

Dean is a 3D graphics specialist. He has worked in the video games industry for over 20 years and was the lead programmer on big-name titles Silent Hill 2, Heavenly Sword and Brink.

He started tinkering with software at the age of five on the ZX-81 Spectrum in his bedroom.

He later dropped out of a degree at Anglia Ruskin University after a games developer spotted his talent and hired him.

Forever working on new projects together, the duo decided to make a 3D printer after realising they needed to build a case for an EMF detector – a tool for measuring electromagnetic fields – they were working on.

They obtained a guide for a RepRap 3D printer on the internet and spent £700 on parts – a ready made one can cost between £1,500 to £2,000.

Dean said: “There’s a really big community online, and it’s quite typical that if someone can’t get the plastic parts they need for someone else who has a 3D printer to then send them components.”

“There are lots of people using them to repair things. If you have a missing part from a washing machine and can’t replace it, you can just go and create a new one" - Stephen Calver

Although theirs is a relatively simple design, Dr Who fan Stephen has already used it to make a detailed model of the Tardis.

This is still just the early stages and as the technology develops the printers could have major implications on our day-to-day lives.

Stephen explains: “There are lots of people using them to repair things. If you have a missing part from a washing machine and can’t replace it, you can just go and create a new one.

“Twenty five years down the line, 3D printers should be as common as colour printers are now.

“If you need a new coat-hanger or something you can just make one.”