Nice Detail

Nice props you made there Russ.  Sounds like you have your own 3D printer?

I'm starting to like 3D contrary to what I said about it many moons ago.

Bernd

Nice Parts

What 3D printer are you using?

I like your words:

quote: My actors are the trains, everything else is just background!  

I like your approach to the 'general' and not the 'detail'.  I know those are bandsaws you created.  Now me, out-of-control, would make them a specific model of saw, with appropriate logos and such, and then put them in a building where no one without a colon-probe-thingy would be able to see them, and then only if they chose to look at them.  If your eyes are focused on the trains, then everything else is out of focus, so why shouldn't things be 'general'?

I need to put that right on my fascia so I see that and remember it, as I get (maybe) too obsessed with the details on, well basically, the set-dressing and not the actors.  Currently I'm 'worried' about, of all things, a forest floor...dude, it's gonna be covered in trees!!  Must focus, must focus...but not too much....no, not on that, on this!  

What make of 3D printer was used?

Not to hijack the thread, but

Not to hijack the thread, but a great, believable and fast forest floor came from Mike Confalone - grind up dead leaves.  Sift out the large offending stuff, but not all of it.  Sprinkle liberally on the forest floor into your favorite adhesive, include some appropriate ground foam - voila!

Couldn't most of that stuff be made

easier without a 3D printer? By the time you draw up the file you could cut and glue the pieces together by hand? .......DaveB

You know

Dave I always thought the same thing about 3D printing. But stuff like what Russ has done I believe would be faster if you needed more than one. As Benny would say you have done the hard work of the design. You have the file so if you wanted to print one or two later you just call up the file and print away. I can see were that is faster.

I've become a believer.

Bernd

if you needed more than one

If you were modeling a bandsaw factory perhaps but most railroad shops would only need one :> )   I could see making something like windows for a Bush Terminal layout but even then it might be more cost effective to put in an order to Grandt line? We don't buy a smog machine to do our own cars every two  years so I'm not sure we should be buying hitech modeling tools unless we are in the business?  .........DaveB

Buying hi-tech machines

Dave,

Want to tell that to Michael Rose who has a laser and me that has a CNC mill.  And we're both not in business.

Bernd

Michael Rose who has a laser and me that has a CNC mill

  I don't consider a mill a hi tech tool, I've got a lathe and a milling attachment for my drill press out in the garage but I haven't used them in years. Now before firing up the lathe or mill and cleaning up the mess I'd rather see if I can buy the part I need. Same thing for a laser cutter. If it cost $2K I'd have to want $4K of product before I'd considering buying the machine, learning to use it and making my own stuff. I can cut cork roadbed with scissors, plywood with my bandsaw, and buy brick and stone sheets ready to go so there's little attraction to me buying another  machine to do it.....DaveB 

Think of it as a library!

If I have an xacto and a sheet of styrene and I build an object with them when I get through I have the object and the remains of the styrene.  When I design a 3D part / object when I get through I have those design elements as part of my 'library'.  You are quite right about not wanting to build a bandsaw factory but the table for the lathe and the horizontal bandsaw are derived partly from the same design elements.  When I want some windows I DON'T start from scratch I grab an already done window and do a mod to it.  Think 'cut and paste'!

The software I'm using called Invent does not require any CAD skills, you build objects using primitives (box, tube, circle, etc,.).  The roof vents took less than 10 minutes to design and I then printed out 12 of them in less than an hour and a half.  While they were printing I was trying to learn some more about NCE and DCC!   3D printing is certainly not for everyone yet, but trust me folks once it gets down to under $250 for the machine and software, PLEASE come back and read your comments here!    Russ

An ON30 two bay narrow gauge EBT hopper, printed in a single piece, design and print in less than 2 hours, just need a couple more little pieces and I'll be ready to print a few more (15).

Amazing Craftsmanship

Nice work making things using 3D printing.  I gotta get one of those things -- really!

-meljr

Out of the box Technology

Another point about the

Another point about the library is that 'most' 3d models at the software level are scalable.  If it works in HO it may work for O or G.  Sometimes a little tweaking may be needed but once again you don't have to start over.  For doing rolling stock the end on a lot of rail cars are the same, so are the roofs.  Then you need rivoted sides, welded sides, outso\ide brace, stock cars, etc,.  Then a few doors and there you go. 

So if a group got together and had an online 'library' where we could share, then it gets even better.  Take a look at Thingiverse to get the idea. 

http://www.thingiverse.com/

The difference would be that the railroad library would be strictly trains and train stuff.  Most 3d printers use STL files as input, so that could be the sharing medium, post a jpeg and an stl and share.  Russ

Does a modeler with technology

feel obligated to use his technology?  I'm just asking- I mean, if I invested in a CNC or a 3D printer or fill-in-the-blank, and I probably I bought it with the intent of using it also for non-model railroad things- do I feel that 'I should use it to make that window, although I could buy that window, but I'd have to pay s/h.  The material is already paid for and in-house, and since it's in such-and-such scale it wouldn't be a drain on any other project needing it...etc.".

Is it maybe sometimes too much trouble not to just scratch-build it, or order it?  I'm just asking - yet I totally understand the idea that 'I made this'.  Even with technology, I understand it.  There's also alot to be said for the technology-savvy and not the knife-and-glue savvy- we do what we do and how we do it is our way.  Some can't draw a straight line and some can.  As long as you get the desired result- knife/glue, 3D printer, buying- all are really valid I think.  Our own goals, our own ways of getting there.

'obligated to use his

'obligated to use his technology?'  -  That is a good question.  Part of modeling I think is just getting the vision of the item that you want and where to put it.  So whether I order the part I envisioned from a catalog, or scratch build it, or design in some software and print it, it is still part of the original vision.  The 3D printer is after all just a tool like a Chopper or an Xacto.  I happen in a past life to acquire some computer skills and still enjoy that part of my life (playing with computers that is).  Over the years in model railroading I have also built many structures, mostly from kits, but some scratch built.  Those skills are not nearly as complete as many here on this forum.

Is 3D printing for everyone, of course not.  Is it mandatory that one have these machines to be a modeler that too is not a true statement.  I really enjoy model railroading, I enjoy designing and building models.  i thoroughly enjoy my 40x50 shop that i built as my retirement dream.  And at the moment I am thoroughly enjoying all this really cool new technology toys.

My 3d software and printer cost a lot less than my wife's new sewing machine and nobody questions the cost of that technology to sew a quilt or garments.  My neighbor rebuilds old cars and just spent $2,500 on a TOOLBOX, not tools, just the box!  So think of the new technology stuff as just a part of the hobby, a part you can either choose to use or to not use. 

Justification!

DaveB,

Your arguments make sense, but the justification for a model railroad is a bit on the abstract side. I would have a hard time making a case for the $40.00 F7 I purchased off of eBay. If Russ wants a 3D printer and that adds to his enjoyment of the hobby, I believe that is sufficient justification for the cost. If you enjoy working with hand tools and a drill press then you have justification in not owning a 3D printer.

I suspect that, in the future, a printer or printer service will provide the details that were cast parts in the past. That will become the main source for details. I agree with Bernd, we will become a band of modelers, we will share parts and designs. We will network and share designs and parts to maintain the detail parts that are no longer available and provide new parts that have never existed.

I just wonder if one could design and build a working knob for the Engine Driver App with a 3D Printer?

Regards, John ******************

I contend that for a nation to try to  tax itself into prosperity is like a  man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. <> Winston Churchill

Casting Parts

" a printer or printer service will provide the details that were cast parts in the past" remember that most 3d printed pieces are plastic.  They can be used very much like lost wax castings.  Making a mold with the 3d printed part in the center, then adding in the hot metal should burn out the plastic.  If its a ceramic mold simply fireing the mold would also burn out the plastic.  

However the detail for very small parts would not be very good at this point in time.  The machines are still squirting out plastic so it is not to be confused with injected molded parts or art pieces generated by true craftsman.  If you go to any of the 3d printing forums and look at some of the pieces being generated they are truly amazing.  I think in G scale my printer could give you some decent details but things like air pumps on an ho or o scale loco would just be wiggly blobs!  Russ

Pictures?

I don't know why I don't see any pictures that were referenced in the original post, am I missing something?

Also I tried to go the website at the bottom, which wasn't a link for some reason, but my web filter at work has it classified as a malware site. (hobby-tronics dot com slash 1940DRGW), so what's up?

obligated to use technology?

That's a hard one to answer, but I will say this: as someone who has built things both ways, I find it much more satisfying to create something by hand. 

Creating a virtual model and getting it printed gets you the model, yes, and it is absolutely the right way to go if you need more than a few of something.  However, for me, I enjoy the process of cutting materials and assembling them.  For a one-off, I will go that way in the future.

I enjoy the process (me too)

" I enjoy the process of cutting materials and assembling them.  For a one-off, I will go that way in the future." That is just terrific.  I think that is how most modelers feel.  My hobbies also include more than just trains.

The layout we are building is 20x40 triple deck.  We (make that two old fellows ) only work on the layout for a couple of months per year as we are also very active in the outdoor live steam hobby.  So anything that assists me in getting some pieces for the layout I will take advantage of.  My posting was not to say which way or any is better than any other.  I was simply showing some pieces that were made for our hobby using a new or different set of technologies.

Here are a couple of things made for the live steam hobby (1/8th scale, 1 1/2 inches equals 1 foot)..

All of the above models were built using a digital CNC wood router and other traditional wood working tools in my 40x50 shop.  My retirement toy house dream.

So I do have some modeling skills but mostly in the design and planning side.  My use of my retirement toys allows me to produce objects that first of all would be very time consuming (a commodity I may be running out of ) and require modeling talents that I don't have.  Again, I think most model railroaders enjoy the building of their own models either kits, or scratch built.  I do to if I have the time. 

If you would please reread my initial post and only look at the first line please.  It simply states: So I have always admired those that make these really special models with all of the details.  Russ

Wow those are some impressive toys!

WOW Russ

I have some serious shop envy now.

And your right on with your post. Love it.

Bernd

3d print vs. buy/build

I think the advantage of the 3d printer is that you can do things in less time and produce parts that are not available commercially, but of course you do have the investment in the printer and if you just producing a few items, it will hardly be worth it.  Its like buying a color laser jet printer to produce one set of decals.

Check out this thread, how long would it take to scratch build this building, if possible? Of course I don't know how long it took to design it.

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/afinia-3d-printer-12192201  (scroll to the bottom of the page)