"The fact that he has launched a printer on Kickstarter in the past bodes well for those interested in this machine"

That's rather misleading. Cobblebot has launched a previous printer on Kickstarter, but to extend the analogy they've yet to show it floats.

If there are problems with the previous printer then no backer will know yet, as no backer yet has all the bits to build it. There aren't even, as yet, any pictures of the production Cobblebot -- not one, just images of prototypes. It is too early to imply they have a proven track record. If the previous Cobblebot turns into a train wreck it will do so _after_ this Kickstarter campaign has achieved funding -- when it's too late to back out.