Any experiance using 3-d printers for parts?

[45jim]

jdmcm you are missing my point (unless I missed the point of Jim's request, but I don't think I did) you cannot REPLICATE an original cast part using a 3D printer. If you are trying to replicate the fit and finish of the original cast part so it appears totally original you can't just print one off, the finish and the mechanical properties will be different from the original. Not to mention no one is printing grey iron, bronze or brass (why would they want to?). If you want to print in wax and do a "lost wax" process then you will get good results, printing saves you several labour and talent intensive stages.

Given that this forum is for based on the restoration (ore resurrection) of old military vehicles, I believe that is the point of the question.

This has nothing to do with the wonderful things made with 3D printers today (and the many things you cannot make with them) this has to do with the replication of antique parts that look and perform the same as the original part.

Can you print Ti hex tiles, 20mm across and 6mm high, with similar properties to Norsk? Could you print a sheet of them 250x300mm? If so I have a proposition for you.