10 Ridiculously Illegal Things You Can Make With A 3-D Printer

6. Someone's Car Keys

When I write 'someone' I don't mean your own. You can always knock up a spare set cheaply for yourself using a 3-D printer, naturally. That'll save having to spend the often more-than-expected cash on having another set produced, especially in these days of extra layers of car security. No, I mean that exclusive band of brothers that makes money from stealing cars to order, so that others can use them in crime. The phrase, "I think I've put my car keys down, somewhere," takes on a sinister ring now that 3-D printing is around. Best of all, from the car thieves' perspective at least, if the keys can be returned to you safely after being copied then you would be none the wiser. As far as they are concerned and provided they know where to find your vehicle at any time, it can be 'collected' to order. Actually, you don't even need to lose your keys to have them 3-D printed. A member of a German lock-picking group, Sportsfreunde Der Sperrtechnik €“ Deutschland e.V., used his 3-D printer to create a key to unlock handcuffs carried by the Dutch police. All he did was take a photo of the original item hanging from an officer's belt and from this got the precise dimensions necessary to produce the key. I must stress that Sportsfreunde is a legitimate group and has its own code of anti-criminal conduct that you can read on its website. The member did it only as a test, but point proven I'd say. Most of the items in this list are clearly based upon anything but honest intent. This item really just highlights that generally grey area into which 3-D printing falls and over which governments must be very careful when it comes to new legislation. There is clearly great benefit in being able to manufacture duplicates and replacements in your own home. There are no transport costs for shipping the items, thus saving the environment. OK, I admit that I'm not too fussed about that issue personally; however, many people are. It doesn't necessarily mean that existing industries are going to die, either. Some might, but others will grow up to replace them. It's all about managing the explosion of interest correctly.