[TheForge] 3D printers

[CGRAF]

On 5/3/2015 5:50 AM, terry l. ridder wrote:
>
> Do 3D printers have a place in blacksmithing and metalworking?


In a "classic" shop no.

In a shop following the actual tradition yes.

There was a time when this same discussion could have been had as the 
iron anvil replaced the rock, or the power hammer replaced the anvil for 
many tasks.

Blacksmiths have traditionally been on the forefront of innovation.
The work in just plain too hard not to take advantage of anything one 
can come up with.

Legend has it that it was a blacksmith who dreamt up the vise grip.

My my grew up next to a blacksmith shop.
The first salesman that stopped by selling an oxy-acetylene rig was not 
allowed to leave until he had sold the smith his sample.

I am thinking that rapid prototypes and even finished items would be 
right in step with the spirit.  It may not be "old -timey" enough for 
some, and not how I choose to spend my time, but that means nothing in 
the grand scheme.

As you know my time at the fire is strictly recreational so I do not 
need efficiency in order to make money. For me it is all about the process.

On the other hand if I was providing one of a kind agricultural or 
machine parts , for a profit, somewhere off in the hinterlands, I'd have 
a generator  and a 3D printer.

Blacksmiths made the tools both for city and more importantly for the 
frontier in this country. I think they just put one in the space 
station, right on the frontiers edge.

Mike Graf