|
|
Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Feb 24, 2023 21:29:33 GMT -5
I was reading the April 1972 issue of Model Railroader. (for the first time) It was the first mention of Miniclub. At that time our scale was not assigned a letter either.   |
|
|
|
Post by cwrr on Feb 24, 2023 23:36:35 GMT -5
Wow, that's a cool find!
"A" scale? That doesn't sound right!
|
|
|
|
Post by zscalehobo on Feb 25, 2023 10:33:13 GMT -5
Wow, that's a cool find! "A" scale? That doesn't sound right! Ever try typing "Z Scale" into something that has spellcheck? CONSTANTLY trying to change it to "A Scale." |
|
|
|
Post by Guba on Feb 26, 2023 21:00:59 GMT -5
I first heard of Z scale in a Popular Mechanics article about model railroading. That was the late 1970's. Before I ever saw a Z scale car/train/track I was hooked.
Back in 1999 I walked into a local store that had a Z starter set. It was the first time I saw Z in person. I plopped down the money and walked out like I had struck a gold mine. Not long after I bought another starter set, and the list went on.
In the early 2000's there were a lot of promising manufacturers coming out with all manner of scenic decor. But now a days there seems to be little progress made. I would have thought that the recent 3D printing surge would have inspired more scenery and accessories. So far, not so much...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2023 23:50:45 GMT -5
There ARE many scenery accessories or hulls for Z, 3D-printed : Look here and there, or simply use their search window. And You have Outland Models, too. And there is my compatriot whose models, despite FDM-printed, have a much better surface quality. But don't forget : You can design some things yourself and upload them, I designed many accessories, including stairs, billboards and road construction barriers, with a simple program like Sketchup. For the markings use a coulour laser printer and either photo "cardboard" or printable decals. |
|
|
|
Post by Guba on Feb 27, 2023 20:00:08 GMT -5
There ARE many scenery accessories or hulls for Z, 3D-printed : Look here and there, or simply use their search window. And You have Outland Models, too. And there is my compatriot whose models, despite FDM-printed, have a much better surface quality. But don't forget : You can design some things yourself and upload them, I designed many accessories, including stairs, billboards and road construction barriers, with a simple program like Sketchup. For the markings use a coulour laser printer and either photo "cardboard" or printable decals. Thanks for the links! There are few more that I didn't know about! Right now I'm kind of dipping my toes into whether or not I want to try 3D printing. I've read some good feedback at the ship forum for another member, so now I might just try to get around to doing it. Decisions, decisions... |
|
|
|
Post by bloodynose on Feb 27, 2023 22:55:02 GMT -5
3D printers with reasonable print quality have become quite affordable. I recently acquired a one color printer in the $300 range that has 0.1mm (or better) resolution, the Creality Ender 3 S1 (about the same cost as a set of ALCO PAs)
A 1kg spool of 1.75mm filament costs $20~$25 and there are many colors available.
If you plan on downloading available 3D drawing files (.stl files) all you will need is slicing software to create the G-code files and there are several free ones available, I found that what Creality offered has been good enough for me.
If you choose to create your own 3D drawings as I have because you can't find the model files you want, several free 3D software options are available. It's really not that hard to learn.
I am considering starting a thread for Model making/3D printing for images of models or prints that I and maybe others would like to share.
|
|
|
|
Post by bloodynose on Feb 27, 2023 23:29:02 GMT -5
 This wooden bridge is an example of my first attempts at creating my own 3D drawing to prints. |
|
|
|
Post by cwrr on Feb 28, 2023 10:12:20 GMT -5
Oooh, that's nice!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2023 12:14:26 GMT -5
Shapeways allows 16u resolution (1/60 mm) ! Some of my parts have been printed this way (for example the signals and some trucks)
|
|
|
|
Post by CNE1899 on Feb 28, 2023 13:31:55 GMT -5
bloodynose,
Very nice 3D modeling! I like the rough tie ends.
Scott
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2023 15:17:14 GMT -5
About "industrial" (SLS) printing : These signals and these cantilever signal bridges (for NYC, which I used on my layout) were printed in 1/60 mm resolution ; once painted, they look like injection molded. And for friends of fairgrounds, there is this german modeller whose merry-go-rounds are printed in a lower resolution with polyamide and can, with some customizing, even be MOTORIZED (the motor's axles were too short and I had to 3D-print adapters ; maybe that meanwhile this has been solved) : look at the attached picture of my layout ! They start and stop asynchronously with different periods, controlled by an ATTiny13.
With 3D-printing, the limits have gone far, far away !
|
|
|
|
Post by bloodynose on Feb 28, 2023 23:36:21 GMT -5
bloodynose, Very nice 3D modeling! I like the rough tie ends. Scott Thanks Scott, there has been a bit of a learning curve! One needs to learn the limitations of the printer and use them to their advantage. This is the deck of that bridge close up. At arms length distance It looks fine and throw some paint on it could really make it better. I am working on an improved version now that I know what the printer is capable of...  |
|
|
|
Post by bloodynose on Feb 28, 2023 23:45:01 GMT -5
About "industrial" (SLS) printing : These signals and these cantilever signal bridges (for NYC, which I used on my layout) were printed in 1/60 mm resolution ; once painted, they look like injection molded. And for friends of fairgrounds, there is this german modeller whose merry-go-rounds are printed in a lower resolution with polyamide and can, with some customizing, even be MOTORIZED (the motor's axles were too short and I had to 3D-print adapters ; maybe that meanwhile this has been solved) : look at the attached picture of my layout ! They start and stop asynchronously with different periods, controlled by an ATTiny13.
With 3D-printing, the limits have gone far, far away !
Very nice! When high detail is desired there is no substitute for quality injection molding or professional 3D printing. It won't be long though before high quality, high definition consumer grade 3D printers are much more affordable! Mark |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2023 3:41:26 GMT -5
Resin printers are already rather "affordable" (everything is relative and a question of point of view), but I heard that they provide a "very good smell" to the user.
|
|
