Anyone doing anything with 3d printers for special parts? Seems like a great way to make some stuff, especially with the cost of 3d printers coming down.
Chris
Some people are using companies like shapeways to offer their work to modelers, ranging from 1/6th Pz.III parts by SarahF, to 1/1800th battleships
Of interest to 1/35th Sherma-holics are bits by MMCALC
Having asked how much the machines capable of producing this sort of detail cost, [:O] using external mfrs will be the most cost-effective method of producing parts.
I know of companies like MDC & LiveResin that use 3D design to produce masters for production in resin.
I believe that someday we will have a subforum here dealing with 3d printers.
I’m think maybe 7-8 years many of us will be using them at least for add on parts. Maybe even entire kits. Buy and download the data file and print your own.
Or download the file and take it to some place like ‘copy Dr’ and have them ‘print’ it out. 
What a cool idea.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
There is a impressive scratchbuild on the aircraft forum using 3d printing. http://cs.finescale.com/mobile/forums/thread.aspx?ThreadID=154586
I suspect the big break for us will be when inkjet printer companies like HP and Epson decide to bring out 3D printers. They have much of the expertise already, and the capital to invest.
…and probably use many basic, similar parts…
I am convinced enough that practical 3D printers will be available soon that I’d like to get started in 3D CAD. Right now I use a 2D package, Autosketch, a low cost consumer product by Autodesk. I need something less than a hundred bucks, not an expensive pro product like AutoCAD or Pro Engineer.
Take an AutoCad course at the local Community College and you can download free copies of AutoCad because you are a student.
You will need to give your school e-mail address to AutoCad and they will send instructions on downloading the software.
Of course, your computer would need to be fairly new to run the software.
I sure wish I had a 3D printer right now. Going to be starting a 1:48 J-3 Cub. The a65 Continental engine in the kit doesn’t measure up to the rest of the kit, especially the part that sticks out of the cowling. It will be hard to scratchbuild an aircooled engine. I do have a PE making kit, which means I could make the cylinders out of a stack of PE pieces, but using that PE set is a LOT of work- not anxious to tackle it. Sounds like a natural for a 3D printer. There is a maker club in the area that offers time on a 3D printer, but there is a stiff initiation fee, stiff monthly fee, and yet high hourly cost on using the printer so I guess I will pass. Too bad engines and things doesn’t make small Continentals 
I’ve got this Projet 3500 HD Max 3D printer. I am using it to make parts for my 1:24th scale rock crawler. May take on scale modeling part job in the future. Here is an image of some rims I made with it.
WOW. Those are nice.
Also just saw this.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/09/09/heres-why-3d-printing-may-become-even-cooler/
Just noticed the irony of the link. The Blaze referencing something from CNBC.