Willmodel's Millie's Cafe in Z-scale?

[mdvholland]

Love to see this kit in Z, would definitely order.

Matt

Oops. I hadn't read the writing underneath the pic. I would very much like a casting like you did in N scale. Shapeways 3D.....  I don't know yet. I really dig the bricks and detail you did on the N scale castings. A print would miss much of that finesse...  (I know, I know, it is Z scale. But still..)

Matt

[Jesse6669]

Not sure a Shapeways print would miss the details.. in the new FXD anyway.. it might look as good as a casting (but there are the other issues with 3D such as warping or shadowing where the wax supports were etc.)

[jimmo]

Oops. I hadn't read the writing underneath the pic. I would very much like a casting like you did in N scale. Shapeways 3D.....  I don't know yet. I really dig the bricks and detail you did on the N scale castings. A print would miss much of that finesse...  (I know, I know, it is Z scale. But still..)

Matt

It's not so much printing the stone detail, it's what I have to do to reproduce that Plastruct Coursed Stone of the original structure into a CAD file and get that same effect. Getting it to print cleanly would require the more expensive FXD. Plus I was trying to keep the cost down.

Since a lot of people mistake the stone on Millie's as brick, I did consider trying to do it in brick but N-scale brick is challenging enough for the high end prints--I can't imagine Z-scale brick.

BTW, I have already started this project. Take a look at the projects in my shop that are not for sale.

[Catt]

The Millie's in your store is not the one in this thread.Not knocking it but I hope you offer a version like the original.Before I forget I like Tony/'s diner too.Once I get Goman Grains in it'/s new home I will know how many grain trailers to buy,.

[jimmo]

The Millie's in your store is not the one in this thread.Not knocking it but I hope you offer a version like the original.Before I forget I like Tony/'s diner too.Once I get Gordon Grains in it'/s new home I will know how many grain trailers to buy,.

You are correct Johnathan, the original Millie's in the picture is N-scale and was assembled with castings derived from hand-made styrene masters. The one in the Shapeways shop only exists in cyberspace and has no texture but what the printed material gives it. The only way I know how to make an exact copy of it would be to shrink the N-scale model down to Z and sell it as a solid cast resin structure. Besides that you want it highly modifiable. I'm not sure what that entails. I can modify pretty much any structure I buy, so what are you asking for?

BTW, the little diner is not Tony/'s, it's Tiny's. I know the sign is not as legible as it would be if it were finished. Fact is, I have yet to purchase one in order to finish it. Besides, it's not quite ready to print yet. Now was that N-scale or Z-scale?

I think I'm just going to make new buildings and forget trying to repro the old originals from now on...

[Catt]

Highly modified not,able to modify yes. The only fault I have with the stores on Shapeways is they are not what I see here in West Michigan.My personal preference is a straight topped windows and doors.As for the diner you make it I will find a place for it.

If I may offer a suggestion on the grain trailers how about offering multi packs of at least two to a set?

[jimmo]

Highly modified not,able to modify yes. The only fault I have with the stores on Shapeways is they are not what I see here in West Michigan.My personal preference is a straight topped windows and doors.As for the diner you make it I will find a place for it.

If I may offer a suggestion on the grain trailers how about offering multi packs of at least two to a set?

I still am not sure what you mean by "...able to modify." Can you be more specific? How would you design a model to meet this criteria?

How about posting some examples of typical West Michigan stores?

I will set up multi-packs of grain trailers soon. I need to make a trailer dolly for the pups so they can be run in pairs.

[Catt]

Able to modify -combine kits or with other kits to make larger (wider)structures,make longer sidewalls,etc.

I am temporarily unable to drive (eye surgery) so the best I can do is some of my scratch built Z scale stores.

[jimmo]

Able to modify -combine kits or with other kits to make larger (wider)structures,make longer sidewalls,etc.

I am temporarily unable to drive (eye surgery) so the best I can do is some of my scratch built Z scale stores.

The reason why nobody is doing structures like these is because they are fairly easy for one to make themselves. Most of us make models of more difficult structures (for the average person to scratch build) because that's what sells the best. In a 3D format these would be expensive to buy because of the large expanses of material needed to produce them. A good medium for producing this kind of structure would be laser cut. I can't think (right off hand) of how I would design a kit that could be made into anything, other than with modular components.

If this is what you're after to build a large city in N or Z, I suggest investing in a laser. Maybe you could even offer kits.

[Hamaker]

My Millie's Cafe kit is scheduled to be delivered Monday afternoon.  I had intended to buy one about three years ago, but...........  I have a close friend who is a super cook named Millie.  I may end up putting it together and giving it to her.......or maybe not.

[GimpLizard]

My Millie's Cafe kit is scheduled to be delivered Monday afternoon.  I had intended to buy one about three years ago, but...........  I have a close friend who is a super cook named Millie.  I may end up putting it together and giving it to her.......or maybe not.

Maybe you should buy another one. 

(You're welcome Jimmo.)

[Hamaker]

Gimp: That's a distinct possibility

[jimmo]

Maybe you should buy another one. 

(You're welcome Jimmo.)

Much obliged Gimp. What's to stop you from buying one as well? 

[GimpLizard]

Much obliged Gimp. What's to stop you from buying one as well? 

I gotta go check my reserve stash, to be absolutely sure, (I'm old. I forget things.) but I do believe I picked one up a couple years back. Along with a hotel... and Millie's. And as soon as you start making them 1964 Rambler Ambassador station wagons, I'll be pickin' up one or two of them, as well. 

(Which reminds me, I still gotta send in an order to rasputen.)

[jimmo]

And as soon as you start making them 1964 Rambler Ambassador station wagons, I'll be pickin' up one or two of them, as well. 

(Which reminds me, I still gotta send in an order to rasputen.)

Why isn't Rasputen making your Ramblers?

You might want to start begging MadAboutCars (Rapidpro) on Shapeways. He has an extensive vehicle line in HO and is gradually making them in N-scale--in pairs! Probably a way better chance of getting him to make them than me (unless you can find me a suitable donor).