The Curta.org Bulletin Board

[mwu]

I have decided I will actually produce some 3D Printed Curta Calculators to sell.

If you're wondering why the change of heart, I have been taken in my half brother after some family emergencies which has added unexpected costs. We're handling that, but I need a new car (mine is approaching 15 years old) and I have a reservation for a Tesla Model 3 which is priced a bit higher than I would normally spend on a car. I don't want to give up the Tesla so this will basically be my funding campaign for its down payment.

I will be asking $1500 USD per Curta. Each Curta will be finished with numbering and painting. The base plate will be customized for each customer similar to what I had done for Adam Savage's and each will have a sequential serial number.

If you would like a box (like what I had built for Adam Savage) to go with it, I will be working with cocobolo studio (https://www.etsy.com/shop/cocobolostudio) to produce those. His cost will be my cost.

I have not determined all of the shipping details yet. I expect I will most likely ship via USPS, but I can work with you to figure out the most economic method.

I expect to take a few months on each Curta, but there will not be any timing guarantee since I am building these on spare time which may fluctuate.

I am planning to use Paypal for payment. If you have another suggestion, I will consider it. I currently do not have a storefront, but I will be working on one.

If you have any questions, feel free to reply here or send me a private message.

[murff]

You did a great job with this 3D-printed Curta

I would order one if the material was metal instead of plastic.

All 3:1 data are ready and I assume that the production of a small run would be technically and commercial feasible. I would offer this also as a DIY kit (with some dedicated tools) - so the assembly would be a great experience.

The reason for this suggestion is that 3D-printed stuff is not really durable and it would be great that we could use it as long as a normal sized Curta!

As an additional suggestion I would prefer the old style rounded metal crank...
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:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[2010*smiths]

I have a feeling that to machine each component from metal might be prohibitively expensive, but I could be wrong.

[mwu]

I did some checking, and you are correct, smiths. Just the main body would cost almost as much as I am charging for the entire 3d printed Curta. Maybe if I build myself a CANC mill or lathe (or both) I could eventually pull it off.

I also have some ideas for a 1:1 scale Curta in metals close to the originals by using a combination of additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques, but that is an entirely different project that will take some time to research and experiment with.