[Spktyr]

I guessed you missed the post about someone printing up a 1911 made from Inconel and aluminum.

[Swordmaker]

I guessed you missed the post about someone printing up a 1911 made from Inconel and aluminum.

I just read that gun has successfully been fired with 600 being run through it.

[Fresh Wind]

I guessed you missed the post about someone printing up a 1911 made from Inconel and aluminum.

For what that printer cost, you could buy thousands of real 1911s.

[fireman15]

As I am sure that you are aware... a number of firearms manufacturers have started using machines that use additive processes to make parts. These are not the same as devices currently marketed as “3d printers” to the public.

The types of machines used by industry are still prohibitively expensive to the home tinkerer. To me this seems similar to grouping all internal combustion engine powered transportation devices together. A moped obviously has far different capabilities than a semi-truck... not that politicians necessarily could make the distinction.

My wife makes reproduction military uniforms. Some of the buttons are very difficult to find. Currently we make some reproduction buttons out of polymer clay using molds produced from original buttons. I have looked into purchasing a “3D printer” as an alternative method for making reproduction buttons. But even for reproduction buttons... the output from a consumer “3D printer” is really not acceptable.

The filament used in consumer 3D printers varies but typically the output is similar to items made from recycled milk jugs or recycled 2 liter soda bottles for the most part. While many useful items can be produced from recycled milk jugs, there are not a lot of parts for firearms that this material would be appropriate for.