Freelance scanning service?

[curious aardvark]

well, I do sympathise. I think when we all started we thought the answer to copying an existing thing would be scanning.
it isn't :-)

Many print bureaus offer scanning services - usually around £100 per item. And from what i've heard results are far from perfect.

The easiest way to duplicate existing items is to buy aset of digital calipers and just reverse engineer it.
'Just' - I've been doing it for a while now. so I've got pretty good and quick at it.

My advice is to get openscad and learn how to use it.

There are currently no cheap AND reliable 3d scanners around.
It's a part of the industry that has lagged a LONG way behind the progress in the printers themselves.
THis looks like the only 'cheap' and probably useful scanner around, and it hasn't shipped yet.
But worth a look:
https://3dprintboard.com/showthread....ne-backed-this


I'm happy to make the stl if you send me the part - but, not for £20.
Even if you know what you're doing, there is several hours of skilled work involved.

Yes replacing broken things, is a great use for 3d printers.
But it's only cheap if you can produce your own stl files.
There are a number of free cad programs around - my best advice is to find one that you understand and learn to use it.

I looked at everything and only openscad really clicked with me. And it's all I've used ever since (approx 8 years).

I am in the uk.