Would you own a 3-D printer?

[yakherder]

I saw an article somewhere where some guy had found a way to make a gun (pistol) with a 3-D printer. (He was a libertarian who thought everyone should be free to have a gun.) I think there was one part of the gun that the printer could not make, so you had to buy that separately. But apparently buying that part did not require any of the gun registration or licensing that buying a regular gun would involve.

Actually I think the firing pin was that one part. He used a standard nail as the firing pin. But that's only now, and will not be a problem in the near future when commercially available 3d printing isn't limited to plastics.

Some guy was already arrested in Japan for printing revolver parts.

If they're already printing organs with 3d printers that basically use stem cells as ink, I'm pretty sure they'll get simple metal objects figured out.

 

[beancounter]

I'm not that fancy, I play with plastic miniatures.

In my current game, we play with small paper cut outs that we slide into these little upside down plastic "T's" to keep them upright.

I don't think anyone could go lower than that.

We do get to color them in though....

 

[yakherder]

Used to use little rocks as generic bad guys like goblins.

 

[RascalsMom]

No. I don't see a use for it & I don't like wasting money on crap that clutters my house.

 

[Joe]

This was the article I saw some time ago:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/with-a-3-d-printer-building-a-gun-at-home/

 

[yakherder]

I can already build a gun with a pretty basic workshop. 3d printing would just save a few steps

 

[Tom L.]

I really do like technology, but I don't like to acquire a lot of stuff I won't use very often, no matter how inexpensive it is. So no.

I think it would be a good idea to form some sort of equipment/tool cooperative so that a group of people would have a pool of things they could use without everybody owning a lot of stuff they would buy, use once or twice, and then put in the garage/attic. And someone could be in charge of maintaining the stuff they like to maintain (I LOVE to take something and get it useable again).

 

[Blobbenstein]

a 3d molecular printer, I would have.....
If that ever comes along then there will be a slight shift in the ownership of the means of production.

 

[yakherder]

Pretty soon we'll be arguing about whether meat printed using plant derived nutrients is considered vegan.

 

[Blobbenstein]

Pretty soon we'll be arguing about whether meat printed using plant derived nutrients is considered vegan.

it wouldn't be less vegan than a present veggie burger made of seitan or soya etc.

Now a StarTrek replicator that used a scan or real meat to replicate, might be a different matter.

 

[yakherder]

it wouldn't be less vegan than a present veggie burger made of seitan or soya etc.

Now a StarTrek replicator that used a scan or real meat to replicate, might be a different matter.

There was a specific episode of Next Generation where one of the problems they encounter is that some alien guests only eat live meat. It is mentioned that they aren't used to dealing with that because they no longer allow the enslavement of animals, or something along those lines. The alien says he's seen them eat meat, and they respond that it's all synthesized in the replicator. It does not, however, say where the replicator obtained the blueprint for such synthesis. Stuff we'll be having to debate some day

 

[Pirate]

YES. I would love one. You can buy this: The World's First 3D Printing Pen | The 3Doodler for about $100/£100 but I think for what it is it isn't worth it. I'd prob make jewellery, figurines, pots, spare parts for things, etc.

 

[Calliegirl]

These pens are so much cooler than the 3D printers. At least they are to me for artistic things. The stuff that comes from the printers look like the cheap junk from China you find in the dollar stores.
LIX: The World’s Smallest 3D Printing Pen Lets You Draw in the Air | Colossal

 

[Blobbenstein]

Scientists create Terminator 2-inspired 3D printer | Technology | The Guardian

 

[Clueless Git]

If I had a 3d printer I'd print out replicas of my private parts and send you guys one each as a present.

 

[Amy SF]

If I had a 3d printer I'd print out replicas of my private parts and send you guys one each as a present.

 

[KLS52]

Never say never but not right now.

 

[KLS52]

Assuming you can afford to buy one, would you own a 3-D printer?

Only if it could make edible vegan pizza. [emoji12]

 

[Amy SF]

Only if it could make edible vegan pizza. [emoji12]

Hey, it's a brave new world. Who's to say it doesn't become an option for feeding the world?

 

[Jocelyn1]

These pens are so much cooler than the 3D printers. At least they are to me for artistic things. The stuff that comes from the printers look like the cheap junk from China you find in the dollar stores.
LIX: The World’s Smallest 3D Printing Pen Lets You Draw in the Air | Colossal

Those look so amazing and I want one even though I'm a crappy drawer.