rue_d_etropal

Shapeways used to set prints to OK once they had printed once, but found that even if a print is perfect on one occasion, it can still fail in the future. The only way to do quality control is to check every print is OK and this is what Shapeways do now. Their software checks for main problems(thin walls), and their engineers/operators check for potential problems the software cannnot pick up(eg thin wires). If they find a problem, they used to just reject it, now they put it on hold, contact the designer who then has 7 days to fix the problem. Even that can vary, depending on which engineer/operator is processing your order. Anyone who has ever tried to run a small business will know that it is very dfficult to take breaks, holiday or be sick. Having to manufacture, and then post items is not easy. I found just parcelling up and posting stuff on eBay was hard work. If you manufacture first , then you need to spend a lot of time and money on creating enough stock. Now 3D printing is not a fast process. On any home based printer you are unlikely to be able to print enough models to make it worthwhile. Chris Ward said this. His main business was prototyping and I got the fealing the CW stuff was more for interest. I don't think the chap who bought the business has done much with it. I think it sits alongside an existing business. Before I decided on Shapeways, I had observed how others producing models(not 3D printing) were doing, and the problems they had. And then there is selling outside UK, something that might now get more difficult. Fine if you have a big enough company employing people to do all those time consuming jobs, but when you are on your own, I think it is a no go.

I have done some bogies , the Gresley ones. There are so many different ones, it is easier to only do ones if asked, and I prefer towork from drawings if possible. I have also wondered if maybe what is required is a basic bogie block, and bogie sides could be fitted, not necessaily 3D printed. The main issue with bogies is that they have to run properly. Luckily metal wheels add some weight. Experience with Ratio plastic bogies makes me wary of developing 3D printed bogies, especially as I already have enough to work on. One big advantage of the WSF(nylon) plastic is that it is self lubricating, so a bogie block running on axles will run as well as axleboxes. It will need running in, but after a few circuits it should be fine. I had thought of doing something similar foe non bogie wagons and coaches. My philosophy is that I tend to view models (smaller scales such as OO/HO and smaller) , from above so bogie and underframe detail is less important, and can be added if anyone is bothered. I am offering something to get someone starte, not a complete package/kit. One editor described 3D printing as an 'aid to scratchbuilding'. He might not have meant it, but I have taken it that is can jump start people into creating models, not having to worry how to start, and having the satisfaction of finishing something that works. I have seen far too many badly finished kit and scratchbuilds(some mine) to realise not everyone is a skilled model builder and needs something to help them, but retain the satisfaction of ctually building something. It is one reason why it appears I am always having a dig at finescale modellers, but I would rather have something (even if it is not perfect) than nothing. Had not realised i.materialise had a £25 minimum price for orderd. That is the reality of running a sustainable business. I still don't understand why they insist every model should have a sample print before it goes on sale. File storage database) is dirt cheap. It is setting up the software and maintaining it that costs the time and money, and that is the same for small and big systems. Shapeways have modified their system over the years. It is far better that it used to be, and easier to upload and modify designs. Some ideas I have suggestedhave been taken on board, but probaby others actually suggested same ideas. They still have a big problem in way database is structured, but I would rather have that than have them try to fix it and break it. It is main reason I have my own website, which shows my designs in a way I want them. I even use it to help with design maintenance.

The imateralise method only allows a relatively small number of designs to ever exist. No-one can afford to get a sample of every variation/scale of their design, and that is the big advantage 3D printing has over other manufacturing. One thing I can guarantee when a new design is made available is that someone will ask for it in a different scale. I get less of that these days, as I try to start with a range of scales, but some of my older designs are done in fewer scales, and I do get asked, and as I don't have to get a sample I can afford to offer my designs in new scales. As modellers we should be able to finish off models. It just takes a bit of time and patience. I remember doing some wood carving a school as an exercise. It was a long slow process, and I don't think I actually finished the thing I was making , but then I was not that interested, but if it had been something I really wanted then I might have finished it. WSF plastic(nylon) is very tough. That is why many find it difficult to smooth, but using the right tool as I have suggested on many occasions, and it can be smoothed down. I am hapy to show others how it can be done, it is not that complicated. Rather than endless demos at exhibitions on traditional techniques something on how to use 3D printed models. One thing I can also guarantee is that there probably would not be many models offered for British HO, if a sample had to be produced first.

It was the person who asked about this loco, but it might have been mentioned elsewhere - N gauge forum maybe.

it has been suggested that a Terrier chassis could be used

any wheelbase is possible, just need to modify design. My initial concern was how to fit motor and gears,then I saw how the gearbox/motorcombination looked. Iwas also worried about wearing of the nylon, bit set holes to fit 3.7mm bearings. The gearbox is 9.3mm wide so should fit in OK, as the distance between sides is 10mm. The top of the chassis is 5mm above axle centres. Estimated this was about right for HO.

Neded a break from designing coaches and locos so knocked up a simple loco chasis with 26 +28mm wheelbase. I would recommend using one of those gearbox/motor combinations which DJH use on their locos. Was not sure of exact distance motor sits above axle,but I can either modify design or packing could be added. It takes 1/8in axles with 3.7mm bearings(eg Romfords).

John, the problem is that others seem to advocate the 'cover it up' method, whereas I recommend smoothing it down using good quality sandpaper(the non clogging stuff- often green) . WSF is a lot stronger than any of the finer plastics, and far far easier andcheaper to paint(or stain).

and finally the KESR 0-8-0T Hecate, from which the o-6-2T evolved. Interstingly this loco had a successfull SR career afterit was swapped for somestokand another loco in 1931.

Shapeways do a variety of materials, The problem with Imaterialise , I believe is that to sell a design, you have to get one printed first. This reduces the number of models someone can design, unless they have won the lottery.

Followed closely by the very similar loco built for Longmoor Military Railway

After a spell working on my own 3D perspective project , back to doing a loco. I got a request for a model of the PDSWJR 0-6-2T locos. 2 were built, under instruction from Colonel Stephens, and I also discoved it had been based on one oof his less successful locos, the 0-8-0T on KESR, a ;oco I have wanted for many years. There was also a very similar 0-6-2T built for Woolmer/Longmoor Military Railway. So what started a one loco Iwas designing will end up with 3 designs . One day I will find a unique loco with no variations and no additional stock to go with it.

Looking at the other items from this designer and they are all Tasmanian ,as that is where he is based.

After a spell working on my own 3D perspective project , back to doing a loco. I got a request for a model of the PDSWJR 0-6-2T locos. 2 were built, under instruction from Colonel Stephens, and I also discoved it had been based on one oof his less successful locos, the 0-8-0T on KESR, a ;oco I have wanted for many years. There was also a very similar 0-6-2T built for Woolmer/Longmoor Military Railway. So what started a one loco Iwas designing will end up with 3 designs . One day I will find a unique loco with no variations and no additional stock to go with it.

odd, no-one mentioned this down at club last night.As one of our members works not far from the shop, we tend to get to hear if something is happening. It is a big shop, not just railways, and has succedded where many other bigger shops have failed. The stock value of such a large shop makes it far more difficult for anyone to buy into it. Maybe a group of modellers could come together , create a co-operative to run it. If the shop does close then Central and East Lancashire needs a replacement . As I have said in another thread, manufacturers need to back anyone prepared to put their money into setting up a new shop, where ever it is. It should also be said that the shop is within reasonable walking distance of the railway station(a lot closer than the annual exhibition) and can be reached from most parts of the north west and further by train.

The current GE44 is centre motored, it is the original one that has two motors. They can still be found, often cheap as theyare not DCC ready so don't appeal to some. The Wickham trolley , both wheelbases the same. The SanFransisco tram, the motor bogie can be used on its own. The other bogie might be of use(I certainly can find some uses for light railway coaches) but it is a different length. Another loco the motor part of the Wickham should fit is the Simplex 50HP 8tonshunting loco, the wheelbase is 15-16mm . Adding a wagon with pickups wouls allow it to work. That means I might have to buy another Wickham trolley to fit my model!

Artitec arenot cheap, butmany of their models can be bought either kit or ready built. I wonder how much you would have to pay someone for a scratchbuilt one to be made?!! look at prices for Langley OO scale vehicles(all kits) and Artitec prces don't seem too bad. Woth while checking out old Lesney Matchbox commercial vehicles as they vary in size from 2mm up to 4mm scale. Just got a few, some are suitable for HO , some forTT3. I have done some Scammells for HO a while back http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/vehicles/3d_printed_vehicles.htm

The GE44 is the HO version. The bogie has same size wheels as the Ruston, and wheelbase is slightly longer at 24mm. I think it is actualy a better chassis, as it as a very large worm drive which has enough weight to keep motor movng at slow speeds. It was a poplar chassis for members of the gNatterbox, the sister forum of the sadly defunct MTI forum. On the whole I have found narrow gauge modellers are more willing to look around and adapt to what is available, hence the growth over the years. I suppose my main interest in railcars and multiple units, including steam railmotors, so I tend to look for motor bogies. Always something new coming out. The Wickham trolley has 6mm diamere wheels with wheelbase of 15mm. There are quite a few standard gauge locos adapted from narrow gauge ones. I thinkcarriage shunter at one BR works was such a loco, not forgetting the standard gauge converted Tin Turtles. The SanFransisco tram/trolley car has motor bogie with wheelbase 22mm. The biggest problem I have found is finding chassis with small enough motors. Getting easier as more room for DCC etc, but motors are still sometimes too big or too wide.

I've given my thought to basic loco chassis. Assuming axles are normally 1/8in, what isthe recommended size for bearings. Romfords/Markits do ones in 3.something up to 4mm. I can make holes suitable for any, but would only want to do one size. I checked out motor/gearboxes and Ithink they can just be fitted inside frames so as long as that is minimum of 9.3mm then abasic chassis is easy to do. Far easier than trying to work out positions of motors and gears.

Don't forget the original Bachmann GE44 loco, with 2 motor bogies. Well liked by narrow gauge modellers. Can still be found, its the one tat is not DCC ready or onboard. About same size as the Ruston. There are other small Bachmann motor bogies which coud be useful, eg the San Fransisco tram/trolley car. Then there is the OO Wickham trolley whichmust be useful. As for coaches and wagons, I have the coach bodies covered for 3D printing(all my designs include HO). For bogies I would recommend a basic internal chassis for bogies(easy to design for 3D printing) with a range of different wheelbases, and sides produced separately.

Just finished resizing my GWR steam railmotors up to O and 1/32 G1. For G1 the longer versions of the railmotor were too long to be printed in one piece so split them into two, along edge of doors near centre. As long as a sub-chassis is used underneath then there should be no problem, and it is what I recommend for all my designs, so chassis can then be completed and tested without body on. Luckily there are not many models this long. Max coach length is approximately 65ft, which should cover most of what I want to do. It was an interesting exercise, one I knew I would have to tackle at some stage, especially if I was to resize any bigger, such as for the other Gauge 1, 10mm/ft.

I have done some bogies myself, namely Gresley ones, but have tended to find drawings for bogies are not so easy to find. I have been thinking about loco chassis, as I have not been as impressed about the new J72 one as I hoped(that boiler base in particular),but it still might be best option for tank locos, when price comes down. For tender locos I would put motr in tender and use a dummy chassis inloco, and I don't think it would be that difficult to 3D print, but it would be basic. Just need to confirm size of holes fo axles/bearings. Bearings would be need as the nylon will wear down . It might be possible to design a basic version for tank locos but would need to adapt it to fit gears, It would be up to modeller to decide how and where to fit motor.

can't say I have heard frogs down there. Cicadas are definitely noisy, and surprisingly big

Received latest copy of Voie Libre magazine this week. Issue 100, so a special edition. Possibly not as much in it as I would have hoped for in a special editon, but the drawing pages interested me as they were scale drawings of a small relatively unknown narrow gauge loco built by Bondy. Could not find much online but one loco is preserved. As the drawings were to 1/10th scale(shows how small it was), and all dimensions on drawings in mm, I thought that designing a model full size in effect and then reducing scale would be a interesting challenge, and here is the design, http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/3d_printed_trains1.htm I will almost certainly get one for my 1/32 scale layout.

are you going to have background sound as cicadas are very common in the area?