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The 3D-Printed Curta Calculator

Adam Savage’s Tested2 HN recommenders · 2017–2025
2M views · demo · evergreen · Uploaded 2017-08-31

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.

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

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

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3 comments from Hacker News

@jshprentz2017 · in “ReCurta: Our goal is to build the first Curta calculator since 1972”

Marcus Wu designed, 3D-printed, and assembled a 3x scale working Curta calculator. He shared his models and progress on Thingverse at [LINK] His YouTube channel includes many videos of the development, assembly, and operation of his calculator. Watch a short demonstration at [LINK] Adam Savage commissioned Marcus to build a copy. Adam unboxes his 3D-printed Curta on YouTube at [VIDEO]

CitesView on HN
@function_seven2018 · in “The Slide Rule”

I'm sure you've seen this already, but if not: [VIDEO] A 3:1 scale replica of the Curta, 3D printed.

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@beeforpork2025 · in “Designing a Mechanical Calculator”

Maybe have a look at the Curta for inspiration of a mechanical calculator. There's a 3D printable version of it. [VIDEO] [LINK]

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