Graphics Reference
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cutters are ideally used in areas away from flammable materials, making them a bit
more difficult for the home hobbyist to use safely. When I need some sheet metal
cut, I've got a local machine shop that has a variety of tools, including a computer-
controlled plasma cutter. I provide them with the file containing the shape I want
to have cut out, and they provide the sheet metal and the tool and the final cutout.
You may not ever own a plasma cutter, but you should know that there are shops
that will rent you the time on one or do the work for you (at a cost, of course).
The Workshop of the Future
I hope you are beginning to get an idea of what someone with the right skills and
tools could create. With a 3D printer, a plasma cutter, a laser cutter, and a CNC
machine, you'd have quite a collection of advanced tools to make just about any-
thing your mind could come up with.
But if you've got none of these, the 3D printer is definitely the place to start. You'll
learn some CAD, spend less money, and have access to a tool that's a bit safer than
the other three. If you find that you're enjoying designing and creating things with
your 3D printer, you can always expand your horizons and add a new tool (or two,
or three) and open up even more opportunities to explore.
Have fun!
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