Different industries require different materials to operate efficiently, but sometimes those materials are impossible to get. If you find yourself in this situation, you need to get creative to come up with a solution. Here are two ways to get rare or nonexistent materials and tools for you or your business.
1. 3D Printing
3D printing has risen to prominence in several circles recently, and that includes tool manufacturing. You can do your own 3D printing, but those printers cost thousands of dollars, and many people do not have that in their budgets. A more attainable option for most people is commissioning a company for tool design that can create the tools you need for you. 3D printed tools are usually fairly durable, but not indestructible, so depending on your needs, you may want to consider mass producing them, or at least purchasing a few extras in case any accidents occur.
2. Repurpose Other Tools
If purchasing a 3D printer or commissioning 3D printed projects is out of your budget, a less-effective but cheaper option is using the tools you already have for purposes other than what they were originally intended for. Commercially available tools come in all shapes and sizes, so with a little creativity, you might be able to find a new use for an old product. Depending on how skilled you are, you may even be able to weld or otherwise alter your current tools to reshape them to be more useful for your needs.
No matter what tools you need for the project you are working on, there are ways to come by them as long as you are creative enough to imagine exactly what you need. Think carefully about the precise jobs your tools will need to perform before making your final decision on what type of tool you want or need.