A Baldwin DT6-6-2000 in N scale

[Jamesn320]

A couple things:

First, I have found that if you print the whole thing at once, the ends of the frame tend to bow in one direction or another.

Then, printing the whole thing as one solid piece is going to make painting difficult.

And, the kicker, all the overhanging details are going to cause print artifacts.

As much as I want this, I'm going to have to pass due to these considerations.  That said, I would like a few pairs of the truck sideframes 


Still plugging away at the Lima; I'm experimenting with etched hood doors and also printing a mechanism at the right length.

Hi Iain,

As I have said in my post, it is not printed in one solid piece, so painting should be easy.  The inside of the shell is braced to prevent the end and sides from warping as it cools down.  The braces need to be cut out once you get the shell and as for the over hang issue, I have had that happen on about 5% of all the FUD stuff I have had printed from Shapeways so I am optimistic.

As for the side frames, they will be available on their own also.

-James

[C855B]

As to resolving bowing issues for a long print, James pretty much has it nailed. The DD35 prints are excellent. He braced from the inside with... get this... the handrails, which are then cut off for assembly. Quite ingenious.

James, I know you're waiting for my results for two projects (DDs and aux tenders). I am doing everything I can to clear the calendar for modeling time, but life seems to be fighting me tooth and nail. Very frustrating.

[sirenwerks]

I find the pending release of this shell exciting.  That being said, for me I need to see more to buy.  I see the pics of the DD35 on the Shapeways site and I can't make a purchasing decision.  The UP model, in places, looks like it was pour cast using miniature timbering for the mold but the SP unit looks much smoother.  I'm not sure if this is because of a thicker paint application (which is a distinct negative) or it's a better sample.  But I know that the poor quality of the images won't allow me to take the plunge.  I need to see a model finished by a 3rd party quality modeler.  Give a DT6-6-2000 to Keith Kohlman and let me see what he comes up with, and when I see his close-up photos I'll be able to make a decision.

BTW, I like the idea presented of etched details to compliment the Shapeways product.  Each process offers benefits that are fitting to certain aspects of building a model.  With Shapeways you can get major shapes down and etching can capture finer details.  Granted, you can't provide a consumer with etchings through Shapeways, but I'd be okay with being 'inconvenienced' by having to order from two sources to get a finer model. 

[Jamesn320]

Hi Sirenwerks,

Thanks for the feed back on the DD35, the UP photos are of the first one I did.  And it was a bit rougher than all the others I have had done, and it was hand painted.  The SP was sprayed and also a much better print.  The ones we have done since have also been better prints so I should look at updating the photos in the shop.

As for the DT6-6-2000, lets see what we get next week.  And if somebody whats to send me any photos of my models painted up I am happy to use them in my gallery on my blog.

C855B, yep you got it.  The braces are actuality the supports for the handrails.  Thin details like handrails need to be protected for shipping etc but printing a cage can be expensive and wasteful, so what better protection can you get than a loco shell.



Not only do they support the handrails but they also tie the shell together so it wont warp.

-James

[Lemosteam]

James, 
     While ingenious, I find adding the handrails unfortunate because one will have to pay for material (and we know how that is on SWays) that one does not intend to use.  I would prefer the handrails separate to lower the cost of the overall shell. JMHO.

I also think that Iain is correct in that painting the walkways and the body (designed as one piece) will make it difficult to paint/ clean, etc.

Iain, when?  Are you designing your shell separate from the walkways?

[DKS]

While ingenious, I find adding the handrails unfortunate because one will have to pay for material (and we know how that is on SWays) that one does not intend to use.  I would prefer the handrails separate to lower the cost of the overall shell.

This. Plus, RP'd handrails are, out of necessity, like stovepipes. I'd leave them out altogether; it would not be difficult to have then etched in brass, which would look infinitely better. Then all you'd need to do is provide small dimples where drill holes would go to mount them.

[Jamesn320]

James, 
     While ingenious, I find adding the handrails unfortunate because one will have to pay for material (and we know how that is on SWays) that one does not intend to use.  I would prefer the handrails separate to lower the cost of the overall shell. JMHO.

I also think that Iain is correct in that painting the walkways and the body (designed as one piece) will make it difficult to paint/ clean, etc.

Iain, when?  Are you designing your shell separate from the walkways?

Hi Ian,

Just out of interest I just did a quick experiment in Shapeways.  One shell with hand rails, one with out.  The difference was $0.88.

As for the pipes, the difference would be less than $0.01.

I have to lave theses details on as not all modelers want the same thing.  Some what a complete kit and are happy to paint it and be done.  Personally, if a kit was incomplete, I would not buy it as I like to make the discussion of what to use and what not to myself.  With my DD35s I have see them with my had rails on and scratch built ones, each to there own.

But if you want one without the rails I can do that as well on Shapeways.

-James

[PiperguyUMD]

I also think that Iain is correct in that painting the walkways and the body (designed as one piece) will make it difficult to paint/ clean, etc.

I tried this with my Baldwins.  These parts are very flimsy on their own - at least mine where - and probably wouldn't survive shipping.  Printing them as a single unit allowed me to get a much finer appearance and a stronger shell.

[Iain]

James, 
     While ingenious, I find adding the handrails unfortunate because one will have to pay for material (and we know how that is on SWays) that one does not intend to use.  I would prefer the handrails separate to lower the cost of the overall shell. JMHO.

I also think that Iain is correct in that painting the walkways and the body (designed as one piece) will make it difficult to paint/ clean, etc.

Iain, when?  Are you designing your shell separate from the walkways?

My Lima will have a bunch of separate parts, most of which will be etched.  The walkways, cab sides, hood doors, etc are all examples of parts that I will be etching.  About the only things that will be 3D printed will be cab roof, hoods, and some of the detail parts that will all be on a separate fret.  This will result in a rather complex kit, but should give a much better end result than simply printing the whole thing.

As an aside, I am also going to have custom frame halves that will take Atlas C630 parts such as motor, worms, dcc board, etc.  All of this is going to result in a very expensive kit (probably in the $100+ range), but, should also result in a finished model of higher quality than 3D printing alone could achieve.

[Dave Schneider]

It will be interesting to see if you have any issues with scaling, especially for the truck sideframes. My recent boxcar side came back from Shapeways 0.040 inches short (out of 3 inches). If designing to tight tolerances this could be an issue, and something which would be difficult to account for given their printing rules. Just something of which you should be aware.

Best wishes, Dave 

[Jamesn320]

It will be interesting to see if you have any issues with scaling, especially for the truck sideframes. My recent boxcar side came back from Shapeways 0.040 inches short (out of 3 inches). If designing to tight tolerances this could be an issue, and something which would be difficult to account for given their printing rules. Just something of which you should be aware.

Best wishes, Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the heads up.  I think just about everything so far has been what I expected, the mistakes have usually been mine!  But as you say tight tolerances could cause an issue.  I will be measuring it when it turns up.

James

[Iain]

It will be interesting to see if you have any issues with scaling, especially for the truck sideframes. My recent boxcar side came back from Shapeways 0.040 inches short (out of 3 inches). If designing to tight tolerances this could be an issue, and something which would be difficult to account for given their printing rules. Just something of which you should be aware.

Best wishes, Dave

I'm not using Shapeways.  I'm using a contractor that gives me proper control over that sort of thing.

[Jamesn320]

I think its great that we are using different methods of providing these models to customers, we are broadening what is available for all budgets making it accessible to more and more people and that can only be a good thing.

[sirenwerks]

Since no manufacturer is going to make this model in N until after I'm gone, I'll be happy when someone writes/photographs a primer on powering one of these babies.  I would like very much to have a model of MNS #23.  And putting sound in this loco should be pretty easy.   

[Alwyn Cutmore]

Still plugging away at the Lima; I'm experimenting with etched hood doors and also printing a mechanism at the right length.

Sounding real positive. What is your blog on your model.

Regards

Al