From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 12/8/2025 5:43 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:   
   > So far 3D printing seems to me similar to the scenery and prop making of   
   > theatre, it can form artistic shapes mostly without function. I take it   
   > as incompletely substituting for expensive machine tools or the skill of   
   > a sculptor instead of replacing them.   
      
   Look at this cool looking thing I made.  Yep.  for the most part I   
   agree, but there are companies selling 3D printed plastic parts.   
      
   >   
   > I've been practicing hammering sheet metal into compound curves instead   
   > of pursuing 3D, to make things I need but can't buy. For example a   
   > replacement floor panel for my truck unnecessarily copies the no longer   
   > needed factory dip priming drain hole of the original, my patch   
   > continues a stiffening rib across that area instead.   
      
   There is one place 3D might be useful.  To make one off hammer form or   
   foam press form tools.  I am sure you are familiar with the process of   
   pressing a mold (die?) into heavy rubber foam to form sheet metal.   
      
   >   
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)