N Scale Addiction

Hour 25 - Making Progress on My N Scale Trucks

2013-05-18T22:33:00.000-05:00

Once in a while, I take advantage of that extra hour in the day (hour 25) and get some modeling done. With work, family, and farming taking up my time lately, it is hard to find time to complete any N scale projects. I have managed to piece-meal some minutes together, and actually have a decent fleet of equipment to date.

On a somewhat related note, the Marias Pass has sold and will be on its way to its new owner in just a couple of days. I will write more about that later, but this means that I can now dedicate my garage space to the new Council Bluffs Sub, and begin focusing on that project. I will need a lot of trucks to support the various industries I have planned, so I am excited to get started.

So while it seems that I have been modeling in slow motion the last several months, the number of models that I have designed and printed is growing nicely. I thought I would put several of them into a photo tonight. This doesn't represent everything, but it does include most of the designs to date, and models in various stages of completion. Keep watching my Shapeways store for more models in the future.

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

Wait There's More... 3D Models

2013-05-18T22:22:00.000-05:00

I made a fairly easy modification to my 48' MAC flatbed trailer, and made a 53' model as well. Both models are based on the actual MAC design, which features both lengths, as well as others. Both have spread axles, and slight differences in the tail end. I already have 6 of these in various stages of completion, and plan to get more. They are easy to paint, and the arched deck gives it a great modern look. Of course now I need to start thinking about the endless possibilities of loads for these things. My future plans are to make a drop deck, and perhaps a couple different brands of flatbed trailers as time permits.

Here is a comparison of the 48' and 53' MAC all aluminum flatbed trailer. I am working on mudflaps and DOT striping, and hope to have some completely finished models soon.

For Pete's Sake

2013-05-18T22:13:00.000-05:00

It's been a few weeks since I have had anything to share related to my 3d printing project. I was able to complete a couple new designs, and am in the process of painting and finishing some models that I have on the work bench. Shapeways has been a great service, and I like the quality of work that they do. However, they have recently become more fussy with their order review/approval process, and I have seen a few orders get rejected as a result. Usually a couple minor tweaks to the drawing is all that is required to satisfy their approval process. What is frustrating is that I will get a successful print or more, and then have subsequent orders get rejected. It's all part of the growing pains, and I am learning to draw my models and create my files to avoid this inconsistency from Shapeways. Their online forum has a lot of chatter regarding this issue, so I am not alone.

For those of you that have ordered my designs, I want to first say thank you for supporting this endeavor. Secondly, please send me feedback and photos of your finished models. I would enjoy posting some photos here on my blog.

Ok, so back to the updates. I have a Peterbilt tractor frame now, which fits my existing cab. I have plans for different sleeper sizes for this as well, but just need time to design them. For now I have a nice day cab for local hauling. The frame is stretched, since I like the look, however, I have a shorter frame as well for construction jobs. I am a fan of straight pipes, so you will likely see few mufflers on my models. Here is a completed tractor on the front of my Wilson grain trailer.

May/June N Scale Railroading - Snow Shed on the Marias Pass

2013-05-11T08:57:00.001-05:00

I'm a little late with this issue, but the May/June 2013 NSR just came out a few weeks ago. The snow shed is featured in this article. Probably one of my favorite features on the Marias Pass.

My Kenworth T800's Arrived from Shapeways

2013-05-10T07:15:00.004-05:00

Not too much to update lately, but I did get an order from UPS last night. This time a pair of Kenworth T800's, and my 379 Pete in a tractor version. I had a little time to clean up one of the T800 cabs and apply a coat of primer. I thought I would share how the shell turned out.

I also have another 379 Pete grain truck near complete, this time in black paint. Still needs the grill and a few other details.

I keep spreading my limited time across designing new models, and finishing the items I have on my work bench. I have a couple new models that I want to get printed, and then I will probably shift focus completely on getting my backlog of things painted and detailed.

My Shapeways shop is pretty much updated with models that I am offering for sale. The Pete tractor and Kenworth T800 should be available soon now that I have an actual print to validate. I also have the MAC aluminum trailer in a 53' version being printed right now. Once I get that, I should be able to make both the 48' and the 53' available.

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

A couple models in the design queue are a Mack 613 Rawhide tractor with sleeper, sleepers for both my Pete and Kenworth cabs, a drop deck trailer, and hopefully that livestock trailer I started weeks ago. Lots of other ideas in my head, just not enough time to do all of them now.

The Marias Pass is FOR SALE

2013-05-03T16:52:00.000-05:00

Hey folks,

So, most of you that follow my blog know that I was seeking a new owner for my Marias Pass model railroad several months ago. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, the buyer that made claim to the layout is now unable to take ownership, so I am once again offering my Marias Pass for sale. I have posted a lot of photos and details about the layout over the past couple of years, and N Scale Railroading has just printed the 10th article of my 11 article series. With that much exposure, I feel like the layout pretty much speaks for itself in terms of how it was built, the level of detail it provides, and the amount of effort I put into the project in an attempt to replicate a fascinating place in the NW corner of Montana.

I had a great time building this layout, taking photos of the finished project, and was able to take it to two large annual local train shows. I am ready to move on to a new project, and am looking forward to finding a new owner that can appreciate it as much I do.

Please contact me with any questions you may have, and indications of interest. I would also appreciate help in spreading the word about the layout to interested N scale enthusiasts.

N Scale Addict

48' MAC Trailer, Kenworth T800, Peterbilt 379 Tractor, and More

2013-04-26T22:13:00.001-05:00

I continue to find bits of time to design more N scale models for printing, and attempt to keep up with the actual painting and finishing of the models that I have ordered. I have resisted the creation of mudflaps and DOT stripes for a few of my models, but know that step is inevitable, and I will bite that bullet soon. Meanwhile, my MAC 48' trailers are in fresh paint, and thought I would share a couple recent photos. These are now available on Shapeways.

I just recently completed a Kenworth T800 truck body design, and submitted my first order just a couple days ago. This model will be very similar to my first Pete 379, and will fit my 22' aluminum grain box. That said, I also ordered a new revised Pete 379 tractor that I finished recently, which is still a day cab, but with a 5th wheel for trailers. My Kenworth T800 will soon have a tractor version as well.

I have opened up a couple of my models for ordering for those interested. Please check them out.
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

3D Printing - New Model: Tarped Grain Trailer

2013-04-19T21:56:00.001-05:00

I just received a new package from Shapeways today. I ordered a second pair of bottom dump trailers, and a new model, which is a tarped version of my 43' Wilson grain trailer. It is soaking in Bestine now, and I can give you a better picture of the raw model after tomorrow. For now, here is the model right out of the little blue plastic bag. I eliminated some of the interior slopes from the open top version, and added a hole in each hopper to allow the supportive wax to escape, and also reduce the overall material used in making this model. I am making these available on Shapeways now, since I have a physical model to validate my design. I will post more photos on Shapeways of the finished model once I get that far.

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

Trains or Trucks? I Forget

2013-04-17T07:39:00.000-05:00

I feel like all of my attention lately has been focused on N scale trucks, which is great, but I need to remind myself that this is a model railroad hobby, not a model truck hobby. Although we need trucks to support our N scale empires.

I find myself making small incremental progress, and hope to get several models under my belt, build a small fleet of trucks, and then turn my attention back to my new layout project. Of course I plan to keep allocating time to designing new truck models and anything else that I may need where 3d printing can fill a gap.

So far, I am very pleased with my experiences with 3d printing and Shapeways. For those of you that have purchased my models so far, please don't hesitate to drop me a note and ask questions or share your finished models. This whole experience is new to me, so I certainly don't have all the answers, and look forward to gaining some best practices from others as well.

The Trail King bottom dump trailer is almost finished. I need to apply DOT stripes to each side and add mudflaps. I will try to share my DOT stripe technique in a future post, however, in a nutshell: I use MS Excel to create a grid or line of red/white/red/white dashes, print them on regular paper, use a hobby knife to cut a very fine strip of paper, spray the backside with adhesive, and stick it to the model. That is how I did the grain trailer. On that model, don't forget to add yellow marker lights, 5 on each side.

Here I have the Trail King on an R model Mack which actually doesn't have a 5th wheel, but is a suitable model for a construction rig. It looks a bit small on this trailer however, so it will likely need a Peterbilt or Kenworth tractor. This model is available on Shapeways now: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

The 379 Pete grain truck is nearly finished. For those of you who purchased my grain boxes, the small nob on the side of the box is intended to hold the tarp handle which you can make out of a piece of brass wire. The handles typically hook across the back of the box, or in this case on the side. I chose to do tall straight pipes on this model, although shorter pipes are also common. Why have the extra pipe extending up there if it is not needed? I have seen low bridges, load out augers, and other things get hung up on tall pipes. I personally like straight pipes, and made these out of brass rod.

Now that I have a solid base truck, I plan to utilize this model for many different configurations. Stay tuned on more designs. The options are endless.

Here is a trio of nearly completed models. Again, not as much progress as I would have hoped, but I feel like I have proven the original concept, and have a solid design to begin building my fleet.

Almost There... 379 Pete Progress

2013-04-15T07:18:00.001-05:00

A few minutes here and there, and this is where I am at with my 379 Pete project. My other time has been spent designing new models. I just recently completed an MAC 48' all aluminum flatbed. I have a pair on order now.

This model will also make a nice day cab tractor, which will require a slight design modification to the frame, and the addition of a 5th wheel.

Here is the 3d rendering on Shapeways of my MAC 48' flatbed trailer:

Slowly but Surely - Peterbilt 379 Progress

2013-04-09T17:26:00.001-05:00

I had a little time to get the base coat on the frame of the 379 Pete model. Next step is to chrome the battery boxes, steps, and fuel tank. It is possible for me to design these as separate components which could be painted individually and then assembled. I am not sure if that is the direction I am going to go yet. The air filter cans and the grill/bumper are individual parts and made painting very easy. The visor was painted using a Sharpie paint pen.

The bottom dump trailers just need axles and DOT striping, which I hope to get to soon.

A Little Progress - 379 Pete and Bottom Dump Trailers

2013-04-07T22:53:00.002-05:00

I had a little time tonight to work on my projects, and finally got a coat of paint on a Peterbilt cab. The dump trailers each have a final coat of white, and will be getting DOT stripes soon. I plan to make a large batch of axles and paint them up at the same time, since I will have several trailers that all need similar wheels.

Not a lot of progress, but still something to share. There is a big difference between having a raw 3d print of a model, and a finished model with paint and details. My goal is to have at least a finished version of each model to publish before making any of these items for sale on Shapeways.

379 Peterbilt Grain Truck - Under Construction

2013-04-04T22:01:00.001-05:00

Time, Time, Time. If only I had more of it, I could make more progress on the projects I have started. I know I shared photos of my 379 Pete already, but tonight I test fitted the wheels on the axles and dropped a grain box on to see how it looked. I am impressed with how the hole inside the wheels fit snug over the axle without any additional drilling or filing. The 3d printed parts simply press fit together like a precise kit. Of course I designed it this way so I should expect that right? If you look close, the cab and frame parts need a little more cleaning to get rid of some rough surface, but it will soon be ready for paint. I ordered some felt polishing bobs for my dremel to see if that would be a good tool for getting a polished surface. I am open to other ideas if anyone cares to share.

I am anxious to get this model finished, so I can share some final photos here on my blog. I am thinking some nice tall straight pipes should make this one look mean. What do you think?

Who's Right? N Scale Truck Comparison

2013-04-04T21:51:00.001-05:00

When I first received my pair of 3d printed 379 Peterbilt trucks from Shapeways, I immediately thought I had made a mistake, as they looked like they were too big for 1:160. But I found it hard to believe since I had designed the truck in full 1:1 scale, and then simply converted it for printing in N scale. In comparing the cab to other N scale trucks, there is certainly a difference. I would say that the GHQ model is well under sized for 1:160. As of tonight, I haven't done any research to see if they are represented as a true 1:160, or maybe they are actually a different scale. If anyone knows, feel free to share some information. The Pete in the photo below is sized well compared to the Volvo, and the Ford 9000, so I guess I won't concern myself over this difference. Although I may be looking to find a new owner for some GHQ kits I have....

N Scale Bottom Dump Trailer Success!

2013-04-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

I received my first pair of 3d printed Trail King bottom dump trailers via UPS today. I was very impressed with the print quality, and the model turned out as intended. Of course, this was a fairly conservative model, without a lot of detail or complex parts. It scales out nicely compared to my grain trailer, and a typical tandem axle tractor under the king pin. I dropped them both into a jar of Bestine tonight, and will hopefully get around to painting them soon. These will get a coat of white paint, DOT striping, and aluminum fenders. Not a huge challenge compared to the grain trailer.

These are now available through my Shapeways store: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

Using Sketchup for 3D Printing Design

2013-03-31T21:18:00.000-05:00

First, I want to say that I am by no means an expert in the area of 3d printing, having only been doing this for a couple of months. But since this technology is so interesting, I thought I would keep posting my experiences here, so that others interested in becoming more knowledgeable might learn a thing or two reading about what I am doing. Or others helping me to learn more from their experiences.

The great part about 3d printing is that it can be free to get started. I use Sketchup for my designs, which is a free download from Trimble. There is a huge online community, and plenty of resources available for the newcomer. Once the design is ready for printing, there are multiple printing services available to print the finished model. For N scale, however, it seems that the best choice is Shapeways. Other companies either don't have the "frosted ultra detail" material needed for fine detail, or their print resolution just isn't quite small enough. Of course, I am very new to this myself, so there could be other alternatives that I am not aware of. It is also free to upload a design to Shapeways, and then only when you wish to actually purchase a print, do you pay for their services.

So, while it seems straight forward to get an image in your head, onto a computer, and loaded to a printer at Shapeways, it actually takes some experience in design, understanding how to convert 1:1 scale to 1:160 without making detail or parts too small or thin, and modeling within the design specifications defined by Shapeways. Again, I am still in the "don't know what I don't know" phase, so I am eager to learn more.

Here is an illustration of Sketchup, and a model that I am currently designing. It is a 53' Wilson spread axle livestock trailer. N scale desperately needs a modern livestock trailer, and I need a few for a planned industry on the Council Bluffs Sub. I have high confidence that this will be a successful model like my grain trailer, however, my main concern is whether the printing process and resolution will be able to handle the numerous ventilation holes in the side skins of the trailer. So, this will be a good test for me. The belly dump trailer that I designed is much more conservative, and should turn out just fine. I will know more this week when my first batch arrives.

3D Printing - Preparing the Raw Print for Painting

2013-03-30T21:49:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share some model preparation steps, since this is very important in getting a great finished product. The raw print from Shapeways is transparent, covered in a waxy like residue, and in some cases can look rather rough. I did some research on the internet to see what people were doing to prep these models, and what type of paint to use. The following photos illustrate what I am doing, but don't necessarily mean best practice.

First, I use a bath of Bestine brand heptane to soak the model overnight. I then pull them out, rinse them with water, and let them dry. Here is where I have seen some variance in my Shapeways orders. It is obvious after observing the raw prints, that items can be printed using different orientation. I shared this in an earlier post, and will show some examples. Since each item is printed from the bottom up in layers, the supporting material used to hold the existing layers together during printing can leave a less than ideal surface. It's not until the heptane has done its job removing the waxy residue that this becomes apparent. Here is a great comparison of the two Pete cabs that were printed in the same batch. One cab is nice and smooth, and the other will require some prep work:

What am I using to get the surface of the model smooth and ready for paint? So far, I have found that a sanding needle works well for corners and cracks, and a medium sized micro brush will remove most of the flaky residue that is left after the heptane soak.

As far as the rest of the Petebilt parts, the frame turned out well. I added some detail, but decided to not go overboard since this is N scale. There are simulated airbags, springs, and shocks on each axle.

The grill/bumper part, and the air cleaner canisters are a perfect fit, and only require some minor cleaning where they fit into the cab component. These are exceptional prints, and show just how much detail can be obtained.

Here is an example of a grain trailer right out of the Shapeways box. It is transparent, and has a thick waxy coat. After a bath in heptane, it becomes white like styrene, and the details can be more easily seen. I am sharing a photo of the tire/rim sets to illustrate this best.

Overall, I am pleased with Shapeways and 3d printing in general. As you can see, it is not perfect, and models with differing results can be frustrating. However, I am making the best of this newer technology, and hoping that it will continue to improve over time. Unfortunately, the orientation of the model during printing is out of my control, and Shapeways will not accept requests for specific orientation at this time. This is a shared concern by many designers based on public discussions I have observed online.

I have a few models available for purchase through Shapeways now, and more to come in the future. If you purchase one of my models, please let me know about your results. My intent is to purchase and finish every model that I design before making it available publicly to ensure that it turns out as intended.

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

3D Printed 379 "Pete" Day Cab Straight Truck

2013-03-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

The UPS truck arrived late today with one of my new 3D printed models from Shapeways. I haven't done anything with the model yet but wanted to share it on my blog since I'm pretty excited about this one. I have always been a fan of Peterbilt trucks, and wanted an N scale version for myself. While GHQ makes a decent model, I felt that I might be able to design and print my own with a similar level of effort to customizing the GHQ model into what I need.

I have already shown photos of my 22' grain box and have them available for sale through Shapeways currently. Well the photos below illustrate what I had in mind to hold up that box.

This a model designed after a 379 Peterbilt truck. The frame was designed specifically for the grain box. It features a tandem axle, with a third lift axle in the rear. I designed it in the raised position. The single fuel tank is representative of a short haul or farm truck. The battery boxes, air tanks, and cab steps are all part of the frame and add to the integrity of the frame component. The cab is a separate shell for ease of painting and detailing. I designed the air filter canisters as separate details for the same reason. The grill and bumper were designed as a separate component again for that reason. If I want to swap out a custom grill or Texas style bumper for example, I can easily change that isolated piece. Also, the individual pieces should aide in the painting process and provide a much cleaner finish between part lines. The wheel and tire sets are similar to what I am using on my grain trailers. I put the little parts on a spruce for ease of handling.

You will notice that I have 2 cabs, with different style sunshades. This is yet another great feature of model design and 3D printing. I'm excited to get these to the paint shop. My plan is to make multiple configurations of axles, fuel tanks, sleeper options, and other options.

This model is fresh out of the box, so you are seeing it at the same time I am. I will have more feedback to offer once I clean the parts and test fit them together. The raw prints still have the waxy residue on them, which make them difficult to see in photos. Once these are soaked in heptane overnight, they will look like white styrene. I will cover my steps to finish these models in more detail in future postings.

Tell me what you think.

3D Printing - My New Addiction

2013-03-24T11:38:00.000-05:00

I have been having a lot of fun designing N scale models for purposes of 3D printing. I seem to have narrowed in on trucks and trailers currently, which not only represent a major void in N scale, but will also provide the greatest opportunity to enhance my future Council Bluffs Sub layout project.

I recently completed a design for a Trail King belly dump trailer, and am in the process of validating the actual printed results from Shapeways. I liked this trailer for its open frame design, and because belly dump and side dump trailers would make great models for N scale construction scenes. My specific model will feature 3 axles, and steel rims, which I modified from my original aluminum rim design used on my Wilson grain trailers.

Here is the 3D rendering on my Shapeways shop. I haven't made it available for ordering, since I want to validate my design, and produce a finished model first. This model has a lot of interesting design features that should result in a neat N scale model. My Shapeways Shop: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

I shared in an earlier post that I had a tarped version of my 43' Wilson grain trailer in design. Well, I finally completed it, and I have an order on it's way. I'll share the final result in the near future. This is the 3D rendering on Shapeways, and again, not available for purchase just yet.

My Shapeways 3D Model Store is Now Open!

2013-03-18T23:06:00.001-05:00

I have been using a company called Shapeways to print my N scale models, and they not only offer printing services for individual designers, but in addition the general public can browse and purchase any items from their website (from various designers), make payment, and have the item printed on demand and shipped directly to them. Over the past several weeks I have been uploading test files, and have received multiple printed models. My 43' grain trailer was the first of a few designs that I have completed so far, and I am confident with the results to offer them to other interested N scale enthusiasts at this time.

A couple key points about 3D printing, is that it is somewhat expensive, and cost prohibitive in larger scales at the current time. As with all technology, this will likely change over time. In addition, the largest criticism that I have heard about 3D printing within the N scale community is the presence of surface texture, and lines from the "layering" of the model as the printer builds it up. I personally have seen some very slight variation in models due to the orientation as they were printed, meaning that one model may have been printed right side up, while another was printed standing on its end. This will cause variance between models due to the supporting material during printing.

In the end, there is a lot of great information on the internet regarding 3D printing. I am far from being an expert, and am simply taking advantage of a great technology that allows me to design and create N scale models from my home PC. I encourage you to find more about it if you haven't already.

My 43' grain trailer is now available for purchase through my Shapeways store. I am making it available as a single unit, or a pair, for a slightly better price than buying two separately. Look for more models being offered soon, and as I finish new designs.

Simply click on the following link and it will take you directly to my store: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/NScaleAddict

I look forward to seeing your own completed grain trailers and other models in the future. As always, please email me with any questions or feedback you may have.

Council Bluffs Sub - Update

2013-03-18T07:10:00.003-05:00

I've been focusing much of my N scale time on 3D printing projects, and the new layout was getting neglected. Recently, I was able to spend some time on the two 8' bench work sections, and they are getting close to allowing me to start laying out some track designs and maybe some building mock ups.

Each section will be 8' in length, and about 20" in width. I say "about" since the front edge of the layout will have about a 2" variation from end to middle, which can be seen on my track plan that I posted a few months ago. In the photo below, some of the plywood overhang will get trimmed to the final dimension with a jigsaw. The remaining overhang will create a recessed area below track level and on the fascia, which will accommodate my planned manual switch levers. As of now, I plan to use slide switches mounted directly below each track turnout, with a length of piano wire extending vertically through the plywood base, and some type of horizontal connecting rod that will extend forward through the front edge/fascia, with a handle at the very end for manual control. The slide switch is needed to route power to the frogs. I used Caboose Industry ground throws on my very first N scale layout, and while they are fun to throw, they are over-sized. I wanted to keep the Council Bluffs Sub truer to scale, so decided against CI.

The backdrop pieces are cut and ready to install, however, I might leave them off until I get further in construction with the layout. Being able to work from the front or the back of each table section is appealing. I have caster wheels for each leg, and will be installing those soon too.

Unfortunately, I don't have a nice studio with sky blue walls like Model Railroader does to stage their project photos, so instead I get the wall of my garage. At least I had some natural light when I shot these.

I hope to post a revised track plan soon as well, as I have a few minor edits to make. I'm getting excited to begin laying out the design on my tables.

22' Grain Box - 3D Printed Model

2013-03-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Although tractor trailers out number straight trucks for hauling grain now days, I still wanted a fleet of straight trucks to mix with my grain trailers. Grain boxes have evolved over the years from wooden boxes with stock racks, to steel sided boxes, and most recently aluminum boxes. My model represents a 22' aluminum box that would typically be found on a stretched frame semi tractor or similar style of straight truck, with a tandem rear axle, and many times extra lift axles to haul more bushels. Much like my grain trailers, these boxes have tarp bows, and a simulated rolled tarp. The design includes frame rails and cross members, and a 3 section rear gate. I have plans to put a box on several different readily available trucks, and I am anxious to see how they turn out. The GHQ 359 Peterbilt daycab and Freightliner cabover, the Athearn R model Mack, the Altas Ford 9000 could easily be candidates for a grain box, with a stretched frame and additional axles. I had a dozen of these printed so far, and am pleased with the results. The two pictured below have been painted with Polly S flat aluminum. They still need tarp crank handles, and paint detail.

Lingering Forklift Project

2013-03-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I shared some photos of 6 GHQ forklifts that I was assembling and painting. Well, they are still waiting for me to finish them up. As I was cleaning my work space to make room for 3D printed models, I decided to put them back into the "active" project mode. In addition, a friend graciously sent me a forklift model that is ready-to-run out of the box, and I wanted to do a side by side comparison with the GHQ models. The Aoshima brand forklift is 1/150th scale, so is just a bit large for N scale, but it isn't unreasonably sized. I can certainly find a space for it on my layout, and offers a great alternative to the GHQ model.

Bob, when you see this posting, your two finished forklifts will be on their way to you soon.... I promise. :)

3D Printed Propane Tanks

2013-03-15T21:22:00.003-05:00

Since I am new to 3D printing, I decided to design a few easy projects in order to get familiar with design software, the process of uploading files, ordering prints, and experimenting with different materials that Shapeways has to offer. In order to get the fine detail for N scale models, it usually requires a material called frosted ultra detail, or FUD. It is relatively expensive, and the final cost is determined by the volume of material used, plus a flat set-up fee. My grain trailers are printed using FUD material. For models that don't require fine detail, there are other materials that are less expensive, but may not produce a smooth surface for example. I designed a 1000 gallon propane tank to use with switch heaters on my mainline. Since I designed it to be a solid object as opposed to hollowing it out, FUD would have been unreasonably expensive. I decided to try a cheaper material called white strong and flexible polished. They turned out really nice, but do have a minor rough surface. The "polished" part of the material is a process where Shapeways takes some of the roughness off the surface. Otherwise they do offer a plain white strong and flexible without the polishing.

Anyway, here are some photos of the results. I ordered a dozen just to see how they would turn out. I am quite pleased with their shape. I plan to paint them to seal the material and put them in my details bin until I need them for a future layout.

Here is a comparison of the new 3D printed propane tank and my original scratch built tank behind it, created from a 1/4" wooden dowel, rounded on the ends, with a piece of sprue added for the dome.

Bigger is Better

2013-03-13T07:22:00.001-05:00

A couple months ago when I began to explore our N scale truck offerings in more detail, I already knew that it was sparse, but there are a few bright spots if you look hard enough. Kato did us all a favor when they produced their Volvo tractor, for the modern modelers. I don't own anything but Kato locomotives, and have become accustomed to the incredible detail and crispness of their models. It wasn't until I began designing my own models for 3D printing that I found a fairly major shortcoming.

Illustrated below is a Kato Volvo tractor, an Atlas Ford 9000 tractor, and one of my own designed and printed set of rims and tires. Common wheel sizes for rigs today are 22.5" and 24.5", with a matching sized tire. I based my design off of an Alcoa 24.5" rim. I know that my tires are perfectly scaled to 1/160, since I drew them life size, and then scaled them down for printing. You can see that the Ford 9000 has a tall tire that is about right for that truck. It's the Volvo that makes me cringe. If you compare the out of the box rims and tires, they are dwarfed by my version. I have taken a close look at the Volvo to see if I could get my set of tires under the fender wells, but I don't think there is enough room. Oh well, I guess I can look past this flaw, but it is pretty obvious when hitched to a trailer with appropriately scaled tires.

We do have plenty of "not quite right" models in our scale, but I would rather have the model with its flaws than no model at all. That is what I am learning with 3D printing. It isn't perfect, but brings models into existence that in the past we only prayed and hoped some N scale manufacturer would produce for us. Now I can personally do something about these model voids.