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I saw the craziest thing the other day. There are these new 3D printers that you can use to print anything in 3D !!! Less expensive models print in plastic and cost $500 to $2000. More expensive models cost $15,000 or more and can print out objects made of glass, plastic, or metal. These 3d printers use a laser to weld together metal/glass/plastic powder in successively higher layers to make a 3 dimensional object. The less expensive ones have a nozzle that spit out hot molten plastic in successive layers. People have used these printers to print out AR-15 parts such as lower receiver, grips, and magazines. Check it out:

http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=ar15&sa=Search

Jay Leno bought one to print out replacement car parts for his antique cars. Do you have any guns that haven't been fired for years due to a missing part?

These have been around for a little while now. I don't remember the first time I saw this, but I think it was maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this. But I think that it requires pretty solid understanding of CAD/CAM software; so the investment isn't just in the "printer" equipment, but also in the software (which I suppose could be expensive) and the years of training/experience to learn how to do it well.

For instance, anybody can buy a copy of Adobe CS5 and figure out a few things. But only a few will be any good at it and have a genuine creative streak. I would imagine that learning CAD/CAM would be similar.

The Annoyed Man wrote:These have been around for a little while now. I don't remember the first time I saw this, but I think it was maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this. But I think that it requires pretty solid understanding of CAD/CAM software; so the investment isn't just in the "printer" equipment, but also in the software (which I suppose could be expensive) and the years of training/experience to learn how to do it well.

For instance, anybody can buy a copy of Adobe CS5 and figure out a few things. But only a few will be any good at it and have a genuine creative streak. I would imagine that learning CAD/CAM would be similar.

I first came across this technology about 20 years ago. The parts were quite crude and, as I recall, could be only made out of plastic resin. The software was very expensive [$30K] and had to be run on a Sun Workstation [around $60K]. I know the prices of the computers and 3D software has come down a lot. It looks like there have been a lot of advances since then.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this.

It is legal for a person to make a firearm for personal use.

The Annoyed Man wrote:These have been around for a little while now. I don't remember the first time I saw this, but I think it was maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this. But I think that it requires pretty solid understanding of CAD/CAM software; so the investment isn't just in the "printer" equipment, but also in the software (which I suppose could be expensive) and the years of training/experience to learn how to do it well.

For instance, anybody can buy a copy of Adobe CS5 and figure out a few things. But only a few will be any good at it and have a genuine creative streak. I would imagine that learning CAD/CAM would be similar.

If one starts out with a proven CAD file created and tested by someone else like the one accessible from the web page linked in the OP, a lot less skill is required than if one started from scratch.

Excaliber wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:These have been around for a little while now. I don't remember the first time I saw this, but I think it was maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this. But I think that it requires pretty solid understanding of CAD/CAM software; so the investment isn't just in the "printer" equipment, but also in the software (which I suppose could be expensive) and the years of training/experience to learn how to do it well.

For instance, anybody can buy a copy of Adobe CS5 and figure out a few things. But only a few will be any good at it and have a genuine creative streak. I would imagine that learning CAD/CAM would be similar.

If one starts out with a proven CAD file created and tested by someone else like the one accessible from the web page linked in the OP, a lot less skill is required than if one started from scratch.

These days, most mechanical engineering students are taught solid modeling software in college.

Most of the time these parts are used for prototype, pre-production or providing visual samples for design concept and marketing. They usually don't have the physical properties or strength needed for a fully functional part.

Jumping Frog wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this.

It is legal for a person to make a firearm for personal use.

That's what I was thinking too.

In the medicine, these types of printers have been used to make body parts. Think bio-engineering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RgI_bcETkM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Annoyed Man wrote:These have been around for a little while now. I don't remember the first time I saw this, but I think it was maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have no idea what the legal implications are, but it would be cool to be able to do this. But I think that it requires pretty solid understanding of CAD/CAM software; so the investment isn't just in the "printer" equipment, but also in the software (which I suppose could be expensive) and the years of training/experience to learn how to do it well.

For instance, anybody can buy a copy of Adobe CS5 and figure out a few things. But only a few will be any good at it and have a genuine creative streak. I would imagine that learning CAD/CAM would be similar.

The software for a regular PC is free and the 3d scanner can be built from plans in minutes from less than $20 in materials thanks to some kids in Germany that posted their work online for everyone:
http://homebiss.blogspot.com/2009/02/di ... anner.html . As for the ease of use, remember that kids in Germany are doing it. I'm pretty sure that I have equal or better noggins than someone who's still in braces.

As for the quality of the printed items, they are pretty sturdy due to the high strength of modern ABS plastic, if you're making plastic stuff. If you're making metal stuff like Jay Leno, remember, he uses these fabricators to make car parts that can withstand extreme temperature swings without damage. The parts can be heat treated after fabrication for even more strength.

As for the cost of the machines, they've come down in price enough that the plastic only fabricator is affordable. I suspect that the metal fabricator will be affordable in a couple of years. If you'll remember, an HP color printer was $1000 back in 1988, but the price dropped to just $365 in 1994. I looked listfully at the price tag of an HP printer for years until I was able to afford one in 1994.

Here's a video of Jay Leno describing how he used his 3d printer to make car parts for his antique cars:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/extras/ar ... d-parts-1/

The video was made a year ago. The technology has progressed since then. The fabricated parts now can be metal, glass, or plastic on the higher end models like the one Jay Leno bought. The plastic only fabricators like the one Jay Leno bought are less than $2000 now. Jay Leno paid $15,000 for his machine. The price went down $13,000 in one year! I'm definitely getting one in a year or so. Hopefully, next year, the price for the metal fabricator will be less than $2000. When that happens, I'm getting one!

drjoker wrote: http://homebiss.blogspot.com/2009/02/di ... anner.html . As for the ease of use, remember that kids in Germany are doing it. I'm pretty sure that I have equal or better noggins than someone who's still in braces.

I don't know if I'd take that bet. There are some out there that will just make you .

http://m.capitalgazette.com/mobile/mary ... 3eb31.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Remember that one?

drjoker wrote:I saw the craziest thing the other day. There are these new 3D printers that you can use to print anything in 3D !!! Less expensive models print in plastic and cost $500 to $2000. More expensive models cost $15,000 or more and can print out objects made of glass, plastic, or metal. These 3d printers use a laser to weld together metal/glass/plastic powder in successively higher layers to make a 3 dimensional object. The less expensive ones have a nozzle that spit out hot molten plastic in successive layers. People have used these printers to print out AR-15 parts such as lower receiver, grips, and magazines. Check it out:

http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=ar15&sa=Search

Jay Leno bought one to print out replacement car parts for his antique cars. Do you have any guns that haven't been fired for years due to a missing part?

Third world tribesmen have been turning out AKs for years with little more than a file and a hammer.

C-dub wrote:

drjoker wrote: http://homebiss.blogspot.com/2009/02/di ... anner.html . As for the ease of use, remember that kids in Germany are doing it. I'm pretty sure that I have equal or better noggins than someone who's still in braces.

I don't know if I'd take that bet. There are some out there that will just make you .

http://m.capitalgazette.com/mobile/mary ... 3eb31.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Remember that one?

Yeah, I wouldn't take that bet either. I've met high school kids who were scary smart. One of the high school students I knew when I was a leader in my old church's high school ministry was recruited by the NSA because of his hacking skills. He was given a full ride scholarship to UCLA in Computer Sciences, given a monthly stipend, part time work during the school year and full time work during the summers, with a guaranteed full time job at NSA on graduation from college. His job? Hack the NSA computers to find and fix their systems security holes before someone else can exploit them. Turns out, NSA identifies the most promising high school kids every year and makes them the same kind of offer......

.....some of them have braces and acne. I'm smart enough to know that I'm not as smart as they are.

recaffeination wrote:Third world tribesmen have been turning out AKs for years with little more than a file and a hammer.

I remember a cable TV show about 20 years ago which showed village "artisans" manufacturing AKs from scratch in a small Pakistani village

This could be a game changer in many aspects (firearms, auto parts, out of production parts, etc.)

I am not that up on federal law about building a firearm for your own use, but from what I can rememeber when studying up on the subject several decades ago, you can, but I am guessing the ATF frowns on it even so. I alos think you have to register the serial number with the BATF - someone correct me on this if they know the particulars.

Anyway, once metal foreming machines get to the sub $2,000 level, you would only have to keep the file available to build many of the guns parts. All ability to control manufacture and ownership of firearms would evaporate. If you wanted to, although illegal, you could create multiple copies of a piece you already had, using the same serial number - unless authorities found them together, it would almost impossible to detect.

I remember way back, paying $1,200 for one of the first lazer printers which are now really cheap. Hopefully the 3D printers will work their way down to where the average person could own one. Once thet happens multitudes of garage designers will be able to prototype, and perfect an item and then sell the file to creat your own.

10 years from now we may wonder how we got along without them.

TEX wrote:This could be a game changer in many aspects (firearms, auto parts, out of production parts, etc.)

I am not that up on federal law about building a firearm for your own use, but from what I can rememeber when studying up on the subject several decades ago, you can, but I am guessing the ATF frowns on it even so. I alos think you have to register the serial number with the BATF - someone correct me on this if they know the particulars.

What serial number? I can make my own guns, if I actually could, but as long as I don't make anything that is already illegal for me to own (machine gun) then I'm fine. If I make my own gun, I'm not putting a serial number on it.

On the season finale of Sons of Guns, they used a 3d printer to make a bullpup stock for a 10/22 if I remember correctly.