With the advent of metal 3d printing has anyone considered making a reproduction of an antique revolvers cylinder so that it might fire smokeless powder? You could make it in the original chamber size but it would allow you to load hotter smokeless cartridges. Thoughts?
replacing antique revolver cylinder with modern metal.
- Thread starter alexl650
- Start date
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Absolutely not. 3D printing is not designed to hold pressure, and I would NEVER use a 3D printed part in a firearm. They are simply not strong enough.
Also, the technology is too expensive to mass produce anything yet. you would pay thousands for something that would fail quickly.
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
this remember the cartridge still touch's the back of the back of the frame when fired
Yeah, the frame and barrel are something not accounted for in that concept.
I know that 3d printed plastic is not strong enough but more recent 3d printed metal might be different. I'm not certain as I haven't done much research but it was an idea that had popped into my head.
I know that 3d printed plastic is not strong enough but more recent 3d printed metal might be different. I'm not certain as I haven't done much research but it was an idea that had popped into my head.
This. Look into the actual technology, not what the liberal arts students dropout reporters THINK that the technology is offering.
Essentially, it is still a relatively complex machining job. There are guys that do it, but only for a limited number of firearms. Colt SAA's for example.
If you want a new cylinder for a throwaway grade Prescribed Antique rimfire, and you think you can get it done for a reasonable price, you are in for a huge shock.
Cheers
Trev
3D printing materials are not strong enough for things like this and I don't think they ever will be. However, this is doable with a CNC mill and has been for 3+ decades. Like trevj says it is cost prohibitive, but could be done if you want to spend a few K.
I'm well aware that it can be done with a CNC mill, I was simply thinking via forum and looking for others thoughts on it.
I have used a plastic 3d printer and am well aware of its limitations and strengths. I'm not sure of the limitations of a metal 3d printer, has anyone here actually used one? Do metal 3d printers have the same delamination problems?
Although 3d printing technology currently may not be able to do such things I foresee that it will be able to do so in the quite near future.
I have used a plastic 3d printer and am well aware of its limitations and strengths. I'm not sure of the limitations of a metal 3d printer, has anyone here actually used one? Do metal 3d printers have the same delamination problems?
Although 3d printing technology currently may not be able to do such things I foresee that it will be able to do so in the quite near future.
Do some looking into the actual technology differences between what is being foisted on the gullible public by their 'trusted news sources', vs. what is actually available to the average guy that does not have the price of a house (or at least, a pretty decent vehicle) to spend. You pretty much need to add in a bunch of money more for software too. Jut for plastic.
Laser sintering machines are far fewer, and a bunch more expensive, as are the consumables for them, usually a proprietary blend of materials only available from the maker of the machine.
Great tools for making very very high value, parts, where there may or may not be a need to withstand a great deal of stress, eg: Bone implant models, to trial fit a part to be made before the surgery is carried out, some aircraft parts, etc.
I, frankly think that we'll see flying cars in suburbia, like was forecast for now, back in the 1970's, sooner than we will see this tech filter down to the point where it is in even some households, let alone "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot".
Too many Patents, too many liability lawyers, and too many problems without solutions.
Buy some machine tools. Once you spend some time trying to learn how to make something fairly simple, you will gain a deeper understanding of just how tough it actually is t make something like a cylinder, and have it work correctly. Further to that, you will gain a deep and abiding appreciation for being able to make a simple part that is both the correct size, and looks good!
Understanding the practical limitations of the tech you are going to use, is really, really important. The capability to design a part that CAN actually be made, seems to evade an awful lot of engineers.
The first time you see a work order come in for a 7/8" hole through 3/4 inch bar, you will understand completely!
Comparatively, most other gun parts are pretty simple!
Cheers
Trev
Laser sintering machines are far fewer, and a bunch more expensive, as are the consumables for them, usually a proprietary blend of materials only available from the maker of the machine.
Great tools for making very very high value, parts, where there may or may not be a need to withstand a great deal of stress, eg: Bone implant models, to trial fit a part to be made before the surgery is carried out, some aircraft parts, etc.
I, frankly think that we'll see flying cars in suburbia, like was forecast for now, back in the 1970's, sooner than we will see this tech filter down to the point where it is in even some households, let alone "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot".
Too many Patents, too many liability lawyers, and too many problems without solutions.
Buy some machine tools. Once you spend some time trying to learn how to make something fairly simple, you will gain a deeper understanding of just how tough it actually is t make something like a cylinder, and have it work correctly. Further to that, you will gain a deep and abiding appreciation for being able to make a simple part that is both the correct size, and looks good!
Understanding the practical limitations of the tech you are going to use, is really, really important. The capability to design a part that CAN actually be made, seems to evade an awful lot of engineers.
The first time you see a work order come in for a 7/8" hole through 3/4 inch bar, you will understand completely!
Comparatively, most other gun parts are pretty simple!
Cheers
Trev
First off - I recognize that part of the purpose of the question is to ask if printing a metal cylinder is possible.
That said, won't really work for several reasons. 3d printing is the primary issue - both plastic and metal printers aren't there yet.
Next it won't work because the cylinder is only one part of the gun that takes the stress from firing, so if the cylinder doesn't fail, another part will immediately or in a short period of time depending on the gun and pressures.
Another reason is just because many of these guns don't have a lot of excess room. I've noticed that even if you made a new cylinder for some guns, there isn't room in the frame for extra wall thickness required for a stronger cylinder. I suppose you could relieve the frame to fit the stronger cylinder, but now you've gone and thinned the already soft and weak frame, so it's a catch 22. Also, it's pretty cheap to have a cylinder made for most guns - $300+/- $150 depending....
That said, won't really work for several reasons. 3d printing is the primary issue - both plastic and metal printers aren't there yet.
Next it won't work because the cylinder is only one part of the gun that takes the stress from firing, so if the cylinder doesn't fail, another part will immediately or in a short period of time depending on the gun and pressures.
Another reason is just because many of these guns don't have a lot of excess room. I've noticed that even if you made a new cylinder for some guns, there isn't room in the frame for extra wall thickness required for a stronger cylinder. I suppose you could relieve the frame to fit the stronger cylinder, but now you've gone and thinned the already soft and weak frame, so it's a catch 22. Also, it's pretty cheap to have a cylinder made for most guns - $300+/- $150 depending....
Instead of thinning the frame, you could thicken the cylinders. Instead of doing the chambers in .44 or .45 drop down a caliber or two and chamber the gun in .41 or .38. You would have to put on a new barrel or resleeve for the "new" caliber, but it could be done, and a little bit of less worry about blowing out the side of a cylinder.
Limiting factors would still be the strength of the frame.
Limiting factors would still be the strength of the frame.
The question in my mind is what the tensile strength is for the kind of metal that comes out of a 3D printer. If it is as strong or stronger than the original steel, then the strength problem might be resolved. I imagine the tensile strength should be listed in the 3D printer metal specs.
There is no 3d printer that could make a modern revolver cylinder but even if there was, why bother? If you want hotter cartridges just get a modern revolver.
It will never be stronger than the original steel simply because of the means by which it is made. Depositing little bits at a time (3d printing) will never be stronger than a homogeneous mass that has the crystal structure running through it. This is like debating the difference in strength between a cast part and a machined one. The machined one will always be stronger.
I would agree. Real cylinders are likely forged as the first step in the process, then machined. Forging significantly strengthens the metal. I cannot see how 3D metal could possibly have the tensile strength that forged and machined cylinders have.
There's no 3d printer that could make a cylinder with comparable strength to even the 150 year old antique percussion revolvers. It's a great theory but it's not gonna happen anytime soon.
Some other good ideas for 3D printers:
honest politicians
Free lunch
Some other good ideas for 3D printers:
honest politicians
Free lunch
