1:160 Print Feasibility - US Mail Jeep DJ-5

[Mark5]

You guys with the nicer printers - do any of you think the open version of this Jeep DJ-5 could be successfully printed?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3467503#Summary

[IronPenguin]

It's hard to say. From the narrative it sounds like the original model was imported to Tinkercad from another software, perhaps sketchup, and parts of the surface is not actually solid. That's very common with sketchup models and is a real pain.
Sometimes it can be fixed in meshmixer or other software,  but it's tedious.
If I get a chance I'll try a print, but I'm getting ready for a train show and have limited time.

[John]

I'll give it a try when I get the chance ..

[Lemosteam]

You guys with the nicer printers - do any of you think the open version of this Jeep DJ-5 could be successfully printed?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3467503#Summary

Thinking @Rasputen could do one.

[sirenwerks]

I thought Jimowill had, but I haven't heard anything from him in forever and his Shapeways page has gone static.

[peteski]

I thought Jimowill had, but I haven't heard anything from him in forever and his Shapeways page has gone static.

He had a stroke fewyears back and no longer produces his line of resin models.

Thinking @Rasputen could do one.

He "shrinks" existing larger scale models.  If there is a Postal truck available in larger scale, he might be convinced to make N scale version.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

https://store.usps.com/store/product/gifts-toys/1971-usps-jeep-white-P_843172

It would need at least three shrink steps - 1/64 to about 1/90, 1/90 to about 1/120 and 1/120 to 1/160. You would also need to throw in a few extra steps to dial in the model to exact scale and adjustments to straighten out the model. It is extremely tedious and takes a lot of time. I gave up on it long ago.

[peteski]

https://store.usps.com/store/product/gifts-toys/1971-usps-jeep-white-P_843172

It would need at least three shrink steps - 1/64 to about 1/90, 1/90 to about 1/120 and 1/120 to 1/160. You would also need to throw in a few extra steps to dial in the model to exact scale and adjustments to straighten out the model. It is extremely tedious and takes a lot of time. I gave up on it long ago.

I seem to recall seeing somewhere that Rasputen has shrunk several of his models from a 1:64 original.  I'm sure it is a tedious process.

[Spades]

Plumcrazy, in the Railwire thread:Shrinkcasting HO scale vehicles to N scale.  Showed the technique Rasputen published in a Trainboard posting.

Hi Everone , I wanted to share some of my experience on shrinkcasting . I first read about shrinkcasting on this and other N scale forums . The best one I read was on Trainboard.com How to cast n scale vehicles from larger scale masters by rasputen . After I read rasputens Post I had to try my hand at shrinkcasting.

I have been shrinkcasting for a few months now ,and I have been getting good results

I start by making a silicon rubber mold of the vehicle I want to shrink to N scale . In this case an HO scale  Motomax Mercury Bobcat .








After the mold has cured it is ready for casting . I usually cast the Hydrospan in three different ratios of resin and water . I use two 2 ounce medical dispencers to measure the proper portion of resin and water ( I find Dram measurements work the best)
The first casting I use 1 part resin to 4 parts water the second casting 1 part resin to 4.5 parts water ,and the third casting 1 part resin to 5 parts water this gives me a better chance of getting closer to scale

Hydrospan cures very quickly so I use refridgerated water to slow down the curing it also has to be mixed thoroughly I mix it for about 20 seconds .This only gives you about 1 minute to pour in the mold .


when the Hydrospan mixture has set it has the color and the consistancey of a poached egg white . It can be removed from the mold in about a couple of minutes ,but you have to be careful ,because the casting is fragile . I set the castings aside to dry . I takes about 5 to 7 days to dry out and shrink to its final size



I measure the shrunk castings and pick the one that is closest to the N scale size of the vehicle (usually within .010 of an inch or closer)


I now make a silicon mold of the newly shrunk vehicle . After the mold cures you can start casting with resin to make the n scale model







The newly cast bobcat trimmed can be used as is ,or hollowed out and have windows added


I hope this post is helpful

Alex

[JMaurer1]

Correct me if I'm wrongs, but I think that this was how SuperTurbine used to come up with most of his castings for locomotives, only he used HO scale brass for the originals.

[Lemosteam]

Correct me if I'm wrongs, but I think that this was how SuperTurbine used to come up with most of his castings for locomotives, only he used HO scale brass for the originals.

Yep.

[Mark5]

Thanks all - I guess this idea goes back on the "back burner" 

These things were produced from 1965 to 1984, so they were all over the country.

[JMaurer1]

Did anyone try printing it? Didi it work?

I still miss SuperTurbine...hope he is enjoying his new hobby.

[Jesse6669]

I did..  I had to completely re-do the hood and grill, and rear lights..  Test print shown, based on this I would want to thicken the body panels a bit, and configure the supports for the rear wheels and bumpers better.   I could do it with wheels/tires separate as well I suppose, which would allow positioning the model with wheels turned.   

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[Jesse6669]

N scale version 2.0 (pictured) on the printer now.. fixed a few things and improved some details.  Wheels are still pretty rough but they seem to print ok and I didn't feel like re-doing them.  I was also going to add more interior items (dash, steering wheel and stick-shift) but didn't. 

Let's see how the new print goes.
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