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The 3D-Printed Curta Calculator

Adam Savage’s Tested · demo · Watch on YouTube

3D printing, CNC & maker projectsMechanical & precision engineeringHistory of computing

What it is

Adam Savage shows off his collection of analog calculators, ending with a 3D-printed, scaled reproduction of the Curta mechanical calculator built by Marcus Wu. The video examines the replica and the engineering behind it.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Linked whenever the Curta or mechanical calculators come up, as a look at a working 3D-printed version.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2017, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “A 3:1 scale replica of the Curta, 3D printed.”

    A 3:1 scale 3D printed Curta replica.

    function_seven, 2018-10 · Recommendation · in “The Slide Rule”

  2. “There's a 3D printable version of it.”

    A 3D printable Curta as inspiration for a mechanical calculator.

    beeforpork, 2025-11 · Recommendation · in “Designing a Mechanical Calculator”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: curta, 3d printing, analog calculators, adam savage, maker

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