Spitfire2865

I doubt if there isn't a modeller who has not damamaged a small item when they try to remove it from a sprue in a plastic kit. I now sometimes leave certain bits off a model simply because I know those bits will break. One way the moddl companies are dealing with this i to use etched metal foe some bits.

 

I am not sure if SW are deliberately trying to disuade use of sprues, as the extra space and material used must make them more money. It is more that they don't actually understand what they are doing. If you are connecting two 1mm pieces of plastic, each might have a bit of detail, then the linking part should be no thicker than 1mm, otherwise it will add more stress tothe parts it is connected to.

I have done a few designs or window insets for old Hornby Dublo buildings. They are flat, 1mm thick. The linking parts ate no different to the actual parts of the windows, so at a glance it would not be possible to tell the differnce. I have not had any printed recently, but it would be intresting to see how SW react.

 

Reason I started this thread was that SW initially sent me a message saying there was a potential problem, allowing me tomodify design , and the order continued as if nothing had interupted the process. In one cae this was then OK, but in the other they again said there was a problem, but rejected it. I can understand there has to be a limit to times they say there is a problem, but, they still don't understand the classic ordering philosophy that when someone orders more than one item, then it is an order for more than one item, and they can't just reject part of it. It does happen with some online shops, butmany(eg Gaugemaster) will put missing item on a back order. That is better, but from my own involvement in IT when we were designing, or involved in designing ordering systems, you can give the customer the choice, as they might not want to wait, so would prefer to cancel complete order, possibly because they can get complete order elsewhere(at a higher price?). These are the questions analysts look at, and try to steer companies in the best way for customers. Many companies seem to forget that happy customers come back, unhappy ones don't.

 

In many ways the model railway market is different to other markets. Most modellers want what they have ordered, not a substitute. The way we searc the internet is also diffeent. Better to have everything we might want easy to hand(like wold be in a model shop), not intersperced with non modelling items(as would be found in say a supermarket). This was one reason I was trying to get 3D print designers to work together, or certainly work in loose groups. First stage, as I have done, is to create your own website to have your own items  displayed the way you want them. These websites could then be linked into groups, making it easier for modellers to get to wher they want.

Unfortunately he trend in website design, (eg Peco, Bachmann, Hattons), has been to try and keep everything withing their own borders, and try to do everything (in the process actually failing to do anything properly). Most parts of most websites stay static for long periods only requiring occasional updating, yet these parts are mixed up with the database/SQL designed parts, so everything is muddled. It is a simple concept, but one many companies don't understand, or have been misled by consultants who are more interested in selling more than better software. Even though Ido have toupdate my website on a regular basic(more so when I sort out what SW are doing), but I am happy to just update my static webpages.

 

Part of the problem with SW(possibly the biggest problem) is conflicting advice. They also need to sort out(ie FIX) the errors in their software. Some might be deliberate(I have worked with people who deliberately put errors in systems to forces customers down certain roads!). ne is on the e-shop page where there is an ability to put hyperlinks to other websites, but they just display code( with <url> type code markers  before and after. It might be deliberate, to try and keep everyone withing the SW boundaries, but by allowing external links, it might mean potential cusomers got the info they want, and then goback to SW (via a direct link?) and order something. That is not only better for people like us, but also SW.

 

Also, on the (odd?) occasions when the SW website goes down, you still have designer's website up and running, so people can still see what you offer, even if they can't order it. I might put that on my own website, otherwise some might think it is just a broken link on my website.

 

Trouble is, as with many companies, they are starting to believe in the stories they have invented themselves. Reading some of the comments on their forum, and I think some of their own people are starting to realise they are not getting the full story.

Just had a brass print denied on grounds of "too complex to print, too many parts"  

Its a sprued design tree and Ive printed worse before with no issue.  

"Too hard to finish", Then DONT POLISH THE DAMN THING.  

I suspect that they make far more from jewellery than miniatures and would be more likely to drop detail plastic as a labour-intensive loss-maker. Conversely, the more open they are about pricing for FDP, the more we designers can help them make it pay.

 

I still think it's bonkers that they don't just say "it costs $x in labour to handle a FDP print" and make that the base price, to which they add materials costs and maybe some cost for the machine space. As things stand now, if they break even on small prints by applying the price floor, then they make a loss on big prints where the materials cost is significant. Why not have a price structure so they have a margin on all sizes of prints?

Because that requires more work than outsourcing website design to the lowest bidder and neglecting any of the engineering or business aspects to running a tech business. 

Thanks Spitfire, I ow you a pint or two!

 

I wanted Brass as I was going to soft solder two of the parts together, but with a price difference, (between steel and brass), of 4:1 - I've ordered steel.

I knew there were common choices of steel, aluminium, brass copper but I thought the biggest cost was the LASER. Nope, it's the material cost.

 

 

Kev.

And you can still soft solder steel, just takes a bit more heat.  

Shapeways has REALLY screwed up now.

Make unannounced changes which hurt sales and user experience, 'explain' that its for our own good, disclose the changes being made to try to save face in the wake of these mistakes, make MORE of the same mistakes and directly contradict things already said!

Also, no, AFAIK there are no similar companies.  Seems a trend, when a company has a monopoly on a niche market, they will consistently screw it up because there is no risk for loss.  

Those look quite fantastic.  Makes me almost regret going up in scale!

They've finally revealed the minimum prices.  For fine detail plastic, it's $7.50 per part. For versatile plastic its from $5 to $11 per part depending on the degree of processing of the order. The proce floor presumably applied to the base price before designer's mark-up; they have stated this explicitly, but it's the only approach that makes any sense. 

So its the outright death for many smaller scale sellers unless its an item which is worthwhile sprueing many together.  

Any thought to using steel rather than brass? Would be a good deal cheaper.  

In my experience lasercutters can adjust the kerf to be almost 0 by tracing around the part rather than on the line.  Thats how I always draw the parts at least.  Do your companies not do the same?

Well just going by the geometry of it, a longer motor arm will travel a longer throw distance as the arm increases in length, but loses torque due to the length as well as the possibility of the arm bending under load.

Now Im not sure if that extra 2" will allow the arm to bend enough, and the torque to diminish enough to throw the points youre using.  Never using point motors before, do Cobalts require the over center locking spring? 

An alternative could be to build your roadbed with a gap below the point with a bridge of ply sunk into the surface, thus the motor is at normal operating depth and you still can have your gradient.  

I've been in contact with a LASER cutting service and been "adjusting" (learning!) the submitted my drawing for a quote for manufacture.

 

Here is my second attempt:-

TumblerFrameParts1bINFO.png

This is not the actual file submitted but has been "coloured-in" for clarity.

(My first attempt resembled an "etch" CAD drawing!)

 

I have sourced two more firms, to supply quotes, but they have slightly different requirements for the CAD files - Kerf size, minimum cut-outs, etc...

This all takes time and I am learning a lot.

 

Here, the parts are labelled for clarity.

TumblerFrameParts1bINFOb.png

 

 

Each Fret has enough parts to make a 1/2 of one standard frame of four levers (plus options).

So I will need two frets for the prototype, then 10 frets for the main build plus 1 extra for spares.

 

 

Kev.

What are you cutting these in?

It is flatly refusing to let me join and will only go to SIGN IN at which point it wants me to open a file with a .json extension which I've never heard of, and my computer doesn't appear to recognise. It tells me that I have 4 items in my shopping basket - it should be 0. It will not let me move the Sign in selection to "join". I can't find a way to place an order - I want 1 set of EMD HO CAB air con units at £8.54 which It will not let me order!  Has anybody got any bright ideas - I haven't had any problem ordering previously, but all it is doing is NOTHING., with no apparent way of contacting them - the contact page is doing nothing and doesn't have a suitable question to ask them. Any help would be appreciated,

Dont use Internet explorer.

Try Chrome or Firefox.  Current known bug.  

I'm not sure what you have done to get into this situation, but buyers cannot make offers in an auction after the first bid is placed. If you made an offer and then placed a bid, your offer is nullified and the seller cannot respond to it. Good luck with your purchase!

 

- Richard.

Oh, there were no bids.  And I doubt it wouldve attracted any bids as it wasnt a particularly well known or high demand item.  I had offered $30 as a hopeful start to negotiation, with the full intent to end higher.  

Turns out the seller was unavailable due to work, thus why there was no response to my offers.  He ended up messaging me back yesterday asking what was happening.  He seemed relatively new to ebaying, so unsure how the best offer option worked.  By his messages, I would think he wouldve been fine with $30.  But Im a man of my word, so I reoffered $37 and he accepted.  Wouldve gladly paid a bit more.  

But still, as to why the offer was only valid for 12 hours, not 48 as usual is still a mystery to me.

Even then, $37 is a steal for the item, that new from the maker wouldve cost me $64.  Though how available the items are new, Im not sure as the maker hasnt gotten back to my inquiry on a different item.  

Another e bay change I suppose.

Well they do still say offers last 48 hours.  Perhaps because the auction was ending in less than that time?

I thought seller had 48 hours to consider an offer. Anyway best of luck with your purchase.

I thought so too, but both my offers expired after 12 hours.  

Spitfire your offer was no better than just putting in a bid at the starting price. If I had been the seller I would have probably ignored it too.

Try a higher offer and see what happens, or just put in a bid.

Im now most likely going to win it for less than my offer. Their loss.

Spitfire your offer was no better than just putting in a bid at the starting price. If I had been the seller I would have probably ignored it too.

 

Try a higher offer and see what happens, or just put in a bid.

But to ignore it rather than decline, or demand more? That part seemed a bit strange to me.  

But sure, Ill give it a shot.

I have sent buyers a brief message to ask "did the item arrive safely" and always had a nice reply with a thank you. This is good. Unfortunately there is another kind of buyer who uses the "positive feedback" facility to write something nasty all out of the blue, so I suppose no feedback can be a blessing.

 

- Richard.

Lucky...

I contact every buyer when Im packing the item up as to when I will ship it out.

Then when it has been sent I tell them its on its way and to let me know when it gets there.

Rarely I get any contact from them, or feedback.

And honestly if they cant be bothered to let me know theyre happy with the purchase, I cant be bothered to leave them feedback.  Not going to risk giving good feedback just to get hammered with an unjust complaint.  

And no, 'giving feedback first' doest result in them reciprocating the same.  

But on the buying side, theres an auction Im interested in, with a start price of $30 and a best offer option.

I put in an offer for $30, not declined, not haggled, just ignored.  I would have been willing to haggle.  And they are answering messages because they did the first time when I asked a question about it!

Made my day this one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kernow-Model-Rail-KMRC-K2701-Bulleid-1-Co-Co-1-Diesel-Locomotive-10201-OO-Gauge/142967743021

 

Postage to UK is £11.00.

Postage to Ireland £25.64.

Where is the item for sale ? N Ireland 

 

Maybe there's someone out there but it isn't me 

£34.84 for postage to the US.

So I guess postage is calculated on an inverse exponential scale?

The lack of information actually given out is dsturbing, and hopefully they have learned from the shambles when they adjusted prices last time.

Minimum prices , I can see their point, but I wonder if they have actually looked at what is on their database, as I suspect there are far more lower cost items than higher ones.

Using terms such as 'grandfathering' suggests they are more into terminology than reality, and should actually be saying whether they plan to put prices up or not. I see nothing wrong in putting up base price for everything , but this proposal sounds clumsy and ill thought out.

They say that one justification is that it costs as much to process small items as bigger ones, but that is why they have a value they add to overall cost for each part. Seconly they can pack far more smaller items into a machine than a few lrger ones. It is noticable how much quicker smaller items get started as it is easier to fit them in.

 

Speed of orders. Hang on they used to have a two tier version of that, but they dropped in this year. I actually liked it, but they claimed it wasn't being used.

 

There have been a lot of comments about their new website, it has obviously been modified in a very clumsy way. I keep finding references to features no longer present. The latest was on a help page still referring to blue colour used , which is actually now pink/red! Fix thse faults before introducing even more problems.

On the forum today, its been stated they can not disclose pricing structures and will not in the future.  Because hiding it away until the users discover it through testing certainly doesnt breed distrust.  

This whole thing is a mess.  Theyre trying to nickel and dime customers for the same level of service and quality.  ShapeWAYS certainly doesnt seem long for this world at this rate.  

Unsurprisingly Ive had questions skirted around in the forums.  

They say there will now be two speeds of orders, standard (new) and economy (current).  However I wanted to know if their "standard" offering will be comparable to current "normal" and theyll be charging customers more for the same level of service  rather than lowering costs in the economy option.  

No definitive answer from the reply.  

Some who do not follow the "Non-railway modelling" thread may not be aware.

Recently I had the pleasure of taking a trip to an aerodrome in my home state.

I have 998 photos from the event on my Flickr.  Their collection mostly contained items from 1900-1930s.   

Was the item shipped insured?

If it wasnt, Good luck getting any carrier to admit fault and refund money.  They love passing the blame to someone else and wiping their hands clean even when its fully clear they are at fault.    

I put an offer of £15 on a £12 starting bid auction, it was declined.  I then put in a max bid of £20 and left until the auction ended.  I won with a bid of £12 - no other bids!!!

Ive had similar from the OTHER direction.  I had an auction with a BIN price of $70 US.  I got a message from a buyer asking questions and eventually offering $75.  I told him to just use the BIN for $70 and keep the 5.  Was a rather odd exchange but happy to have cleared that little bit of room from my closet.  

IIRC the Midland was NOT afraid of splashing a little cash around to get the best quality of stock.  Which explains their early adoption of cast wheels and their extensive buying of old PO stock just to shortly scrap them and get them off their network.  

An Eastern Express- Moraine Saulnier

A Toko- Pfalz DXII

An Emhar- Anatra Anasal DS

Eastern Express I think Ive seen some kits of online but never built one.

They also had some vac form Pegasus kits on the peg, but at $25 a pop Im not going to try my hand at one. I hate vac formed parts for any purpose. Always a pain to trim and join.

I do still have a couple injection Pegasus kits in my stash I have to get around to, but the part fit is dreadful and requires fully scratchbuilt interiors which isnt particularly easy for early aircraft with little to no reference material available online.

The aerodrome was a fun day out. And I got plenty of photos from the WWI airshow portion, however my photos from the museum got deleted when my camera messed up the memory card formatting somehow. So a quick run around the museum in the last 45 minutes of the day was all I got to walk away with.

I think Ive missed quite a few photos I wouldve liked to retake, but what can you do?

But I did buy 3 1/72nd aircraft kits from the giftshop made by companies Ive never heard of, for fairly cheap as well! Total of about $26USD for 3 kits aint too bad of a find.