tomstaf Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Hi, I wanted some 7mm 3rd rail for my forthcoming layout and there isn't any available in 7mm. You can get the conductor pots but not the rail So I obtained a cross sectional drawing and drew up the CAD. It's too expensive to have a die cast for metal rail so I opted for 3D printing with a slot and tab to connect the lengths. The result has just come back from Shapeways. I opted for the Strong White Flexibile material as it has a rough texture just like the real 3rd Rail. I filed the top surface smooth, sprayed it, and then buffed up some metailic pigment. All this is in readiness for my 3rd rail layout. 3D concrete sleepers are due back soon. But here is a shot of the 3rd rail on some Peco flat bottom rail track. Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrushType4 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 S7 concrete sleepers? Tell me more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomstaf Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 S7 concrete sleepers? Tell me more! 2 types: F24s and EF28s. Both are the versions with cut down ends for 3rd rail. And 3D printed masters for lots of casting to commence... Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomstaf Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Hi, More stuff back from Shapeways - F24 Concrete sleepers to S7. They're printed in FUD and have turned out rather well. There is a little roughness to the surface but that'll do fine to represent the concrete texture. They're now burried in silicone so that I can make lots of resin versions for the layout. They'll be on display at Scaelforum if you fancy having a look. Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Mike Posted September 24, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 24, 2014 I've heard the chap who designed did a rather good job (and is very modest) M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomstaf Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 I've heard the chap who designed did a rather good job (and is very modest) M Indeed you are Mike. In fact Mike's patience was ever so good assisting me to draw them as my first item in CAD. But they got the better of me and Mike very kindly did the CAD deed Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlejumper Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Without doubt they are the dogs dangly bits...............like I said elsewhere 3D printing.......it's just like garlic bread, it's the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flexible_coupling Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Excellent work! The ability to inset things like the manufacturer's stamp, and effortlessly get a perfect profile really give 3D printing the edge in pattern production for this kind of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 How pliable is your third rail. Will it bend sufficiently on curves for example Paul R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomstaf Posted September 27, 2014 Author Share Posted September 27, 2014 How pliable is your third rail. Will it bend sufficiently on curves for example Paul R The 'White Strong and Flexible' material has sufficient bend properties and will stay in the shape you bend it to. For instance no issue doing the turn downs at the end of the rail. Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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