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First time experience with Shapeways Journals/Blogs
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Super User 1,007 posts rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

My friend, Joe Atkinson, and I need to model several ballast hoppers for our layouts. We’ve been researching the different cars and found models to recreate the rolling stock, but one critical component missing were four ballast gates required for each car. 

We were told Shapeways may be the answer and indeed they were. We were able to find a dealer, Boxcar Models, who had exactly what we needed. We placed the order and within a couple weeks Joe received the gates. 

This was our first experience with Shapeways output and we both found the product quality very good. The slight texture resulting from the 3D print will actually look very close to the rusty, undulating texture on the prototype. Below are several captioned photos showing the gates purchased and a comparison with the prototype we’ll be trying to match. 

For those interested, TMTV is currently running a series on 3D printing hosted by Trevor Marshall with Jeff Pinchbeck. I’m looking forward to watching how 3D print technology advances over the next couple years as it would be great to have my own machine. Currently there are so many different units available that it would be hard to make a choice, plus who knows how quickly the technology will change. 

Screen.jpg 

Boxcar Models ballast gates shown in digital form.

Samples.jpg 

The actual output received from Shapeways. (Photo courtesy of Joe Atkinson)

Proto.jpg 

Prototype gates. Note the rusty texture that needs to be emulated. The 3D parts have a very subtle texture that will help in reproducing that effect. (Photo courtesy of Erik Rasmussen)

Scott Thornton
Modeling the Milan branch of the Iowa Interstate
http://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/STMilanBranch

Scott Thornton

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mark_h_charles Regular poster 439 posts
mark_h_charles

Scale, cleaning method(S)

Scott, 

These look terrific! Are they HO or some other scale?

What method will you, and Joe use to clean the castings? Please let ,us know how that works out.

Mark Charles

 

Mark Charles
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rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Scale, etc.

Thanks, Mark.

They are HO scale. I’m not sure what I’ll use to clean the castings. I assume just water with a little detergent will work fine. 

And yes, I will provide an update as the gates get applied to the cars. I won’t speak for Joe but maybe he’ll do the same as well.

Scott Thornton

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George Sinos gsinos Prolific poster 1,170 posts
George Sinos gsinos

Scott - I'm not sure if your

Scott - I'm not sure if your parts are coated with the same waxy stuff as Frosted Ultra Detail.  If so, Bestine works very well to clean them.  Bestine is in art stores, sold as a thinner for rubber cement.  Bestine is a brand name so it may be sold under other names.

I've been using the same stuff for several batches of parts and it doesn't seem to wear out.

I poured it from the can into a large glass jar with a lid that seals and soak the parts overnight. They come out clean. The color changes to solid white. I rinse them in water before painting.

 

gs
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rrfaniowa Super User 1,007 posts
rrfaniowa

Acetone as cleaner

Thanks, GS!

I found this site that did a test using acetone at different time intervals. I use acetone all the time for cleaning purposes, so I was interested in its effect on ultra detail parts. Check it out:

http://www.dcyale.com/shapeways/fudmicro/acetone.html

Scott Thornton

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mu26aeh Regular poster 295 posts
mu26aeh

If you can't find Bestine,

If you can't find Bestine, it's also similar to Naphtha .  I recently got items and soaked them for about 20 minutes or so, then stuck them in an ultrasonic cleaner.  Dry them and set in the sun for to cure in UV light.
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George Sinos gsinos Prolific poster 1,170 posts
George Sinos gsinos

Looks like the Acetone works

Looks like the Acetone works pretty fast. I really don't know how fast Bestine works. I've dropped the parts in the jar and checked back a few hours later. They've always been done. Once, I got busy and didn't get back to check until the next day and they were fine. 

I have Acetone. I use it to clean my airbrush after spraying Tru-color paint. If the Bestine ever quits working I'll have to give it a try.

gs
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Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,775 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

Shapeways

Quote:

And yes, I will provide an update as the gates get applied to the cars. I won’t speak for Joe but maybe he’ll do the same as well.

Sure thing!  I'm sure I won't get to my cars until well after Scott though.

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

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mabloodhound Active Member 64 posts
mabloodhound

Bestine is best

I've tried them all and Bestine Thinner works the best for cleaning FUD parts.  Michael's carries it but expensive.  Take a 40% off coupon when you go.
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Chuck P Prolific poster 1,012 posts
Chuck P

Westley's Bleche-Wite

Pick some up at WalMart or wherever you shop. It's resuable.

​I've done many, many pieces of Shapeways parts, my own designs and other parts I've picked up.

 
HO - Western New York - 1987 era

"When your memories are greater than your dreams, joy will begin to fade."
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Joe Atkinson IAISfan Super User 3,775 posts
Joe Atkinson IAISfan

Input from Shapeways designer

I just heard back from Alexander Clark ("Boxcar Models" on Shapeways, the designer of the ballast gates that Scott and I ordered), and he pointed me to the following site regarding the cleaning of frosted details:

http://members.trainorders.com/3rdboxcar/preparing.html

Joe Atkinson
Modeling Iowa Interstate's 4th Sub, May 2005
https://m.facebook.com/groups/iowainterstate4thsub

https://www.iaisrailfans.org/gallery/4thSub

My MRH blog index

https://instagram.com/iaisfan
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