Open-source 3D printed SLR.

[polyglot]

OpenReflex.

 

[Kevin Kehler]

I saw this yesterday and thought it was interesting. But more interesting is that this technology could be used for repair parts, no longer available. Broke the Hasselblad winding knob, can't buy a replacement? Print a new one. Need a particular slanted metal holder for a Leica III? Print a new one. I don't know if the technology is there yet and it definitely isn't cheap enough now, but it will be soon.

 

[VPooler]

In the meanwhile, befriend someone who works in a machine shop and knows his way around a CNC milling bench. I am a bit wary about printing out plastic replacements unless the part I am replacing is made of plastic.

 

[polyglot]

You can print in metal too, though it costs a bit more and isn't possible on typical home printers.

 

[VPooler]

You can print in metal too, though it costs a bit more and isn't possible on typical home printers.

Yeah, I know. And I saw a printer that had no problem with making an adjustable wrench and colouring it at the same time out of some fine powder; I really liked it.
I don't particulary like the printers that use a thread of molten plastic to make stuff and the hype around them, instead the engineers who spend time fiddling around with them could make an affordable printer that uses granules of plastic, metal or even ceramic. I mean, the molten thread ones are cool for making knick-knacks but I want precision and durability. I thought of investing that 500$ in a tabletop lathe/mill combo instead of an 3D printer. Now, if I would only have that 500$

 

[polyglot]

Have you considered building a CNC router/mill instead? Costs about the same as a 3D printer though a good spindle is a little more $. Not as flexible (you can't do internal voids) but the precision is far higher and you can work in basically any material if you have a good spindle and the right (tungsten carbide) bits.