N Gauge cassette STL files

[Seanem44]

Does anyone have or know where I can get a print file for an N gauge cassette.  Doing a small terminus layout and in lieu of a fiddle yard I’m going the cassette route.  Thanks!

[dpgibbons]

I assume you are looking for a laser-cut design, in which case you'll need a 2D vector-based file format such as svg or dxf. 

Edited July 24, 2020 by dpgibbons

[Kris]

I don't know of a file, however it would not be hard to design. I have just thrown this together in the last 2 minuets. You would need to stick track in but it is workable. I've not measured the middle gap so that would need tweaking dependant upon the sleeper sizing. 

 

[JimFin]

As an alternative, have you considered ABS cable trunking? Comes in many sizes and you could just cut to length as required.

[Seanem44]

3 hours ago, Kris said:

I don't know of a file, however it would not be hard to design. I have just thrown this together in the last 2 minuets. You would need to stick track in but it is workable. I've not measured the middle gap so that would need tweaking dependant upon the sleeper sizing. 

 

That’s exactly what I need and I have ZERO design skills.  Would you be willing to share this file?

[Kris]

2 hours ago, Seanem44 said:

That’s exactly what I need and I have ZERO design skills.  Would you be willing to share this file?

I would be happy to. If you know what track you are going to be using and the sleeper size I can alter the design to make it fit better. Currently it is 200mm long, is that enough? 

[Seanem44]

15 minutes ago, Kris said:

I would be happy to. If you know what track you are going to be using and the sleeper size I can alter the design to make it fit better. Currently it is 200mm long, is that enough? 

275mm would fit nicely on my printer.  Using Peco code 55 which I believe is about 16 mm wide sleeper edge to edge.

[Pete the Elaner]

Although perfectly possible, 3d printing is not very suitable for this because it is slow & expensive.

You would be better making it from wood or styrene, possibly also with aluminuim.

[Kris]

1 hour ago, Seanem44 said:

275mm would fit nicely on my printer.  Using Peco code 55 which I believe is about 16 mm wide sleeper edge to edge.

 

I've redrawn it for 275mm. There is a 16.5mm channel for the track to sit in (this should do code 55 wood but would be too narrow for code 55 concrete). There is now a 2.1mm square cut out at each end to help with alignment. n gauge code 55 cassette v2.stl

 

[Seanem44]

22 minutes ago, Kris said:

 

I've redrawn it for 275mm. There is a 16.5mm channel for the track to sit in (this should do code 55 wood but would be too narrow for code 55 concrete). There is now a 2.1mm square cut out at each end to help with alignment. n gauge code 55 cassette v2.stl

 

Thank you soooo much.  I really appreciate it!

[dpgibbons]

You'll find a laser-cut kit, such as the one below, a much better solution that a 3D print. Note that the track is inset into the base so that you don't need to lower the baseboard to match rail heights, and it has gates at each end and a removable roof to hold stock in place on the rails and to prevent it rolling out.

 

https://yorkmodelrail.com/shop/tools-and-storage/mls052-storage-n-gauge-cassette/

[Seanem44]

20 hours ago, Seanem44 said:

Thank you soooo much.  I really appreciate it!

It’s perfect!  Fits two full coaches.  Track sits in snug and doesn’t even need glue.  It’s a perfect fit!  Thank you soooo much.

[Kris]

As has been said there are many ways to skin a cat but I am glad to see that this worked and was what you wanted.

[njee20]

Glad it worked. Seems now would be a good time to work on those design skills - as you have a simple STL you can reverse engineer. It's not rocket surgery, and may prove useful for future endeavours!

[Seanem44]

5 hours ago, njee20 said:

Glad it worked. Seems now would be a good time to work on those design skills - as you have a simple STL you can reverse engineer. It's not rocket surgery, and may prove useful for future endeavours!

If only it were that easy.  I've got 5 month old twins.  I'm probably crazy even trying to build a small layout

[njee20]

Seems like learning CAD would be more practical! Get Fusion 360, watch Lars Christensen’s videos and you’ll be away. Do it on the sofa of an evening, job jobbed!