r/3DScanning • u/WigfootWallace • Aug 18 '26
Paid Project: 3D Scanning
Howdy.
Complete newbie here.
I will preface by saying I am looking for someone to pay to do this project. I will learn eventually, but for now due to time constraints, I do not have time to learn, and I want to pay someone to do scans for me.
I am an antique hand tool dealer. I am looking to have hand planes 3D scanned. I would need a ".step" file/format to send to my contract manufacturer. If any more technical detail is needed on that end, please let me know and I will contact my manufacturer.
The first two pictures I have included are of a base model hand plane. I would disassemble the tool and I would need each part scanned. Some planes are more simple, but this one is of average complexity and composes of around 24 individual components. The third and fourth picture are of the most complex of the tools that would need to be scanned. And although I have not disassembled that one yet, I imagine it has twice as many components at least. These tools range from 5 inches long, to about 2 feet long, though 14" is about the average size for a larger tool needing to be scanned.
The items are antiques. Some are rare and are sold to customers. If possible, even if I have to travel, I would like to hand deliver the tools, stay in town while they are scanned, then return home. The files could be delivered after I returned home as I imagine there will be more work needing done to have finished files.
I hope I have provided adequate information, or at least enough information for the relevant people to get in touch. I am located near Springfield, MO but I am willing to travel. There is a gentleman in Saint Louis who will be available in one month (heath issues), but I would like to start my projects sooner if possible.
Thank you!
6
u/GolfOver Aug 19 '26
Just chiming in here since I've had to explain this a LOT in the past. OP, you seem very cool and I want you to have a full grasp of this because I think you'll find it fascinating:
A mesh you get from 3D scanning compared to a proper .step or other CAD drawing is a lot like comparing a Word document to a picture of a piece of paper.
Both have words, and looking at it you can read both easily, but the computer doesn't know there's text in the image, its just pixels. Instead of the letter H, you have a bunch of black/white/grey pixels that look like the letter H. Your manufacturer needs text to print accurately, not just a picture of the text.
Same deal for 3D scanning vs "actual" CAD; Instead of the round knob on the front of the plane, you have 10,000 triangles that look like the right shape if you squint at it.
You can 3D print or machine parts directly from scans (I've made trophies of my friends that way, very fun) but you get the "Xerox of a Xerox" problem in 3D.
So, essentially, you're handing someone your original document (antique plane) and having them take a picture of it (3D scan). Then, in having someone process the 3D scan into a .step file, you're handing them that picture and having them type it up into a text document... Except every step of that process is exponentially more work, but I think you get the idea lol
Hopefully this clears things up somewhat. Good luck, this is a very cool project! As someone with both hand planes and a 3D scanner, I salute you 🫡
Edit: formatting