Future of the hobby??

Avanti, I completely agree! That's why I try and make as many things as possible from "house hold items" or random things that can be found at my local Home Depots and such. I think it's gotten to the point to where if you are willing to spend a lot of money on something you can get it perfect and in a short time. A lot of the true love if the hobby is lost when everything is out of a box.

I can see the relicator bringing a new age on how things are made. 3D cad Model making in industry will be a thing of the past. 

 

I saw this a couple of years ago on the Jay Leno web site and it was amazing then. Making parts for old cars and making tools that work just like the original it was copied from.  

 

There is always a place for old school craftsminship but even those may fade away as this new technology is more advanced as the years go by. Years ago this was just science fiction but now it's becoming a reality.  Imagine what it will be in 10-20 years from now.

Pete,

 

I wonder about that too.

 

I do know that since laser cutting became commonplace, I don't seem to enjoy using my scroll saw as much as I used to.

 

Whenever I describe how I cut a set of girders or whatever on the scroll saw, someone always says that the laser cutter they have where they work could do that in three minutes.

 

Jim

 

Its happening now, the china cost of living goes up. They want more to produce our products, so some comes back or is no longer made. Small short run production and prototyping happens here in good old USA. A compination of handmade and computer

manufacturing will be what becomes the norm. I am one of these companies setting up

now Altoonamodelworks. This is the cycle of evolution in industry.

          Bob

Three-dimensional art is a large category of art media.  A 3D printer is just another really good tool that can be used to sculpt in a plastic media.  Creativity and a good eye are the key. 

interesting issue, Pete. that might be why scratch building is so satisfying. you are definitely using your creativity and resourcefulness in ways you had no idea you had. However, I've always thought the physical process of building a kit wasn't all that difficult if you know how to follow directions, read ahead and take it slow. the real talent is, if you're into it, making the structure look real, weathered and more like it is prototypically, rather than a new looking kit. But, of course, that isn't everyone's preference which is what makes the hobby so interesting.

 

jerrman

yes