I got me 3D printer, awesome!
- Thread starter Pinter75
- Start date
Associate
well it had to happen. this seems like a fun project.
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/133514-the-worlds-first-3d-printed-gun
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/133514-the-worlds-first-3d-printed-gun
The SumPod looks very good, just for curiosity's sake, does anyone know of any other 3D Printer's that can match the SumPod's capabilities?
Associate
I'm currently debating whether to buy a SumPod or an Ulitmaker, the ultimaker can't mill but does amazing prints at high speed. I do want a machine capable of milling but I'd want it to do mostly metal stuff which I think is beyond the capabilities of the SumPod. Though at £250 for the mdf it seems one hell of a machine!
Soldato
I would not even bother thinking of milling metals on it. It needs a LOT more grunt and stability than what even most low cost machines can supply.
Associate
That's what I thought, I was surprised that it would even mill MDF.
Man of Honour
For starters, you can't print anything that requires more strength and/or temperature tolerance than the materials you can print with have. So no engines and no guns.
You can find claims of a printed gun, but if you look into it you'll find that only part of the gun was printed. There's no way you could print an entire gun - it would explode when fired because the material isn't strong enough to contain the explosion which forces the bullet out. It is a potential issue in the USA though, due to local laws. It's possible in the USA to buy the unprintable parts of a gun without a licence. It is therefore possible to print the part of a gun that requires a license, buy the unprintable parts without a license and assemble them to make a working gun without having a licence.
You might be able to print some other form of gun that involves lower forces.
Soldato
Depends. You can get loads of plans on Thingiverse, but ideally you need to be able to model in 3D. I can 2D and 3D draught and use solidworks etc, but Google does have a nifty program called inkscape. (IIRC)
You need to be able to model what you require, and then run it through a program called replicatorG (at least for the makerbots and mendels etc) which tells the machine what to do. They are certainly not plug and play, but they are pretty close!
Soldato
Can a 3D printer draw a 3D printer. if so how much would it cost to make I wonder and could I then return the original 
Can a 3D printer draw a 3D printer. if so how much would it cost to make I wonder and could I then return the original
Lol, there are probably parts that cannot be replicated, you scammer you.
Soldato
We are living in the future - Reminds me of :Im keen, i might see if i can do a course, im definitly going to have a look into it. Im guessing it will take years to learn, im willing to put in the effort.
Ive seen solidworks mentioned before, im just concerned im a complete beginner
Soldato
Solidworks is very expensive, as it is a professional program. Thats why you can get courses in it! Its not that difficult to learn CAD, but it does depend what sort of CAD you need to know!
Soldato
- Joined
- 8 Mar 2007
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Given their are over 200 million guns floating about in the US, getting hold of an unlicensed gun isn't really a problem you need a 3D printer to solve.
