Is there market "demand" for 3D printed HOn3 trucks?
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Jim King
I’m working thru a production run of Sn2 freight and passenger trucks using my Form3 SLA 3D printing system and was wondering if there is “market demand” for HOn3 printed trucks, primarily aimed at Eastern roads, like EBT and Tweetsie? I once produced a few HOn3 ET resin kits and finding good-rolling, accurate trucks was always a problem.
If you have interest in seeing trucks, such as the McCord style, please contact me off-list with your comments, suggestions, etc. As a reference, my Sn2 trucks sell for $18/pair including Kadee 718 HOn3 wheelsets and 0-48 screws and are packaged in a foam-lined hinged box for protection. Trucks without wheelsets sell for $12/pair. Below is a CAD image of the “Swing Motion” style” Sn2 truck (brake beams are separate parts). Sideframes, lids and bolster are a single printed part. Wheelbase is .750”.
Jim King http://smokymountainmodelworks.com/
-- Jim King http://smokymountainmodelworks.com
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Mark Lewis
Jim, Yes...for Blackstone detail and rolling quality HOn3 truck sets, since it does nor appear...in the short term...we will be seeing new or re-runs of the great Blackstone truck sets. FYI - Western Rails does supply 3D printed HOn3 truck sets. Here is a link to his catalog page that lists them. Mark Lewis Narrow Gauge modeling in N.C.
On Thu, Sep 24, 2020 at 2:04 PM Jim King <jimking3@...> wrote:
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sydney schofield
Interesting.
On Thursday, September 24, 2020, 11:04:25 AM PDT, Jim King <jimking3@...> wrote:
I’m working thru a production run of Sn2 freight and passenger trucks using my Form3 SLA 3D printing system and was wondering if there is “market demand” for HOn3 printed trucks, primarily aimed at Eastern roads, like EBT and Tweetsie? I once produced a few HOn3 ET resin kits and finding good-rolling, accurate trucks was always a problem.
If you have interest in seeing trucks, such as the McCord style, please contact me off-list with your comments, suggestions, etc. As a reference, my Sn2 trucks sell for $18/pair including Kadee 718 HOn3 wheelsets and 0-48 screws and are packaged in a foam-lined hinged box for protection. Trucks without wheelsets sell for $12/pair. Below is a CAD image of the “Swing Motion” style” Sn2 truck (brake beams are separate parts). Sideframes, lids and bolster are a single printed part. Wheelbase is .750”.
Jim King http://smokymountainmodelworks.com/
-- Jim King http://smokymountainmodelworks.com
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Russ Norris
I wonder if you would be able to produce the Vulcan trucks used on the EBT in HOn3. The best trucks out there were the Blackstones, but they are hard to find now. Russ Norris
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Russ,
You might try Western Rails. They 3D print Vulcan trucks. They can supply Kadee wheelsets for a total of $12 a pair. They also have a new 3D printed EBT hopper in seven variations.
Bruce Dunlevy
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Russ Norris
Thanks Bruce. I already have some of their printed rolling stock. I didn't know they did trucks as well. And $12 is comparable to the Blackstones. I will have to check them out. Russ
On Thu, Sep 24, 2020, 11:08 PM Bruce Dunlevy <bdunlevy@...> wrote:
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Bruce
any trucksRuss, If you, or another group member, buys any Western Rails trucks please let the group know your thoughts on their rolling quality and level of detail.
On Fri, Sep 25, 2020, 6:21 AM Russ Norris <rbnorrisjr@...> wrote:
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Bill Miller
I have a number of Western-Rails models and most have their trucks under them. Their trucks are very well detailed but the early ones done by Shapeways in FUD (Fine Ultra Detail) white plastic were very brittle and easy to break while installing the wheel sets until you learned the tricks to getting them in the side frames . Later W-Rs/ Shapeways increased the thickness which helped
A New gray material is used on the newest trucks which is much more forgiving. Western Rails trucks don't roll as freely as Blackstone's / Micro Trains, with out some work but they do run true which is a great help keeping them on the track. You need to smooth out the bearing holes for free rolling trucks. Just part of the printing process that the bearing holes are not smooth off the printer.
I have a number of their EBT Boxcars and hoppers (a early 800 series 2 bay hopper and a four bay hopper) The cars are much like the old C&BT shops kits of the three bay hoppers. Not all the detail parts are in the box and you will need to buy brake gear to add to the car. Think Tichy split K type.
Western-Rails has EBT, C&S, SPNG, D&RGW and ET&WNC rolling stock available on their web-site.
Narrow Gauge Unlimited on Shapeways also has some EBT cars as well as D&RGW and C&S.
I am very pleased with what I have purchased 3-D printed from all the vendors who do HO Narrow Gauge 3-D prints
Bill Miller..............
From: Bruce <in2trains@...>
To: HOn3@groups.io Sent: Fri, Sep 25, 2020 8:11 am Subject: Re: [HOn3] Is there market "demand" for 3D printed HOn3 trucks? any trucksRuss,
If you, or another group member, buys any Western Rails trucks please let the group know your thoughts on their rolling quality and level of detail.
On Fri, Sep 25, 2020, 6:21 AM Russ Norris <rbnorrisjr@...> wrote:
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How do you smooth out the holes on these trucks?
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Thanks Bill Lugg
On 9/25/20 11:50 AM, Bill Miller via groups.io wrote:
I have a number of Western-Rails models and most have their trucks under them. Their trucks are very well detailed but the early ones done by Shapeways in FUD (Fine Ultra Detail) white plastic were very brittle and easy to break while installing the wheel sets until you learned the tricks to getting them in the side frames . Later W-Rs/ Shapeways increased the thickness which helped
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Bill Miller
With a 1-72 tap.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Lugg <luggw1@...> To: HOn3@groups.io Sent: Fri, Sep 25, 2020 2:06 pm Subject: Re: [HOn3] Is there market "demand" for 3D printed HOn3 trucks? How do you smooth out the holes on these trucks?
Thanks Bill Lugg On 9/25/20 11:50 AM, Bill Miller via groups.io wrote: > I have a number of Western-Rails models and most have their trucks > under them. Their trucks are very well detailed but the early ones > done by Shapeways in FUD (Fine Ultra Detail) white plastic were very > brittle and easy to break while installing the wheel sets until you > learned the tricks to getting them in the side frames . Later W-Rs/ > Shapeways increased the thickness which helped > > A New gray material is used on the newest trucks which is much more > forgiving. Western Rails trucks don't roll as freely as Blackstone's / > Micro Trains, with out some work but they do run true which is a great > help keeping them on the track. You need to smooth out the bearing > holes for free rolling trucks. Just part of the printing process that > the bearing holes are not smooth off the printer. > > I have a number of their EBT Boxcars and hoppers (a early 800 series 2 > bay hopper and a four bay hopper) The cars are much like the old C&BT > shops kits of the three bay hoppers. Not all the detail parts are in > the box and you will need to buy brake gear to add to the car. Think > Tichy split K type. > > Western-Rails has EBT, C&S, SPNG, D&RGW and ET&WNC rolling stock > available on their web-site. > > Narrow Gauge Unlimited on Shapeways also has some EBT cars as well as > D&RGW and C&S. > > I am very pleased with what I have purchased 3-D printed from all the > vendors who do HO Narrow Gauge 3-D prints > > Bill Miller.............. > > > From: Bruce <in2trains@...> > To: HOn3@groups.io > Sent: Fri, Sep 25, 2020 8:11 am > Subject: Re: [HOn3] Is there market "demand" for 3D printed HOn3 trucks? > > any trucksRuss, > > If you, or another group member, buys any Western Rails trucks please > let the group know your thoughts on their rolling quality and level of > detail. > > With cinders in your eyes, > Bruce Bowie > 419-602-3584 > in2trains@... <mailto:in2trains@...> > > On Fri, Sep 25, 2020, 6:21 AM Russ Norris <rbnorrisjr@... > <mailto:rbnorrisjr@...>> wrote: > > Thanks Bruce. I already have some of their printed rolling > stock. I didn't know they did trucks as well. And $12 is > comparable to the Blackstones. I will have to check them out. > > Russ > > > > On Thu, Sep 24, 2020, 11:08 PM Bruce Dunlevy <bdunlevy@... > <mailto:bdunlevy@...>> wrote: > > Russ, > > You might try Western Rails. They 3D print Vulcan trucks. > They can supply Kadee wheelsets for a total of $12 a pair. > They also have a new 3D printed EBT hopper in seven variations. > > https://westernrails.com/product/tr03/ > https://westernrails.com/product/hc05/ > Bruce Dunlevy >> >> > > -- > Russ Norris, MMR > Cape Cod, Massachusetts > http://blacklogvalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/ > >
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That was unexpected. :o) I assume the taper on the end of the tap matches that of the bearing holes?
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Thanks Bill Lugg
On 9/25/20 12:26 PM, Bill Miller via groups.io wrote:
With a 1-72 tap.
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Bruce
I'm with Bill. A tap? Who (obviously Bill Miller!) would have thought of it?
On Fri, Sep 25, 2020 at 4:09 PM Bill Lugg <luggw1@...> wrote: That was unexpected. :o) I assume the taper on the end of the tap
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Mark Lewis
Bill Miller,
I'm with Bruce and Bill....please explain! Mark Lewis Narrow gauge modeling in N.C.
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Bill Miller
You are not taping the bearing for a 1-72 screw , you are cleaning out the bearing hole. There is material from the printing process fowling the bearing surface in the side-frames that once removed allows for a smooth rolling truck. The end of a 1-72 tap works well.
Bill Miller
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Lewis <narrowrails12@...> To: HOn3@groups.io Sent: Fri, Sep 25, 2020 4:51 pm Subject: Re: [HOn3] Is there market "demand" for 3D printed HOn3 trucks? Bill Miller,
I'm with Bruce and Bill....please explain! Mark Lewis Narrow gauge modeling in N.C.
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Mark Lewis
Thanks, Bill. Mark Lewis
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Bruce
Kinda what we/I thought, just needed you to confirm. GREAT idea!
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Brian Kopp
Will definitely be trying that trick....got to go find my Kadee 1-72 tap set now....
-- Brian Kopp Jacksonville, FL
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John Stutz
Jim The McCord is already available 3-D printed for HOn3, using Kadee wheels. I believe that I have actually purchased them from two sources. Colorado is still well covered by PSC, and their Delren versions roll as well as Blackstone's. As do the new Kadee HOn3 truck lineup, which include an excellent EBT Vulcan.. But there are alternatives to the McCord, but I will leave it to our eastern modelers to speak for themselves. In the west, the SPNG closed out with a variety of archbar trucks, all well described in Bader's recent book. Further north, White Pass found that the T-section Bettendorf sideframes, under their ex. C&S cars, tended to crack with age. They substituted a PC&F U-section version that has a profile verry similar to the originals, and quite distinct from the AC&F Bettendorfs used in Colorado. Also, during WW-II both White Pass and Oahu ended up with cars diverted from an Argentinian order, that were fitted with a distinctly arched version of the Bettendorf, generally denoted as "Estado" from the cast on lettering. Neither has ever been produced in Hon3. The Estados were used under White Pass's 11xx cars, their 1st generation steel container cars built from the Argentinian car frames. There are examples in the lower 48, at Sumpter and Mid-Continent(?). . The D&RG 3'7" archbar was fairly specific to the D&RG. Most other NG roads used soemthing else, and there were many variations. RGM did a good job of filling demand for the more common alternatives, and if no one steps up to replace Eric, his line will be a good example of what will need replacing. John Stutz
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Jim Spencer
For years the brass builders in HOn3 were putting out RPO cars with incorrect outside clasp passenger trucks. Offhand, I can think of Key, PFM, Balboa or Custom Brass and maybe others were doing this. Those particular cars built new in the mid 1920s had trucks with cast steel frames and inside clasp brakes (maybe built by AC&F(?). PSC did a late run of the brass RPO cars with the correct trucks and I understand that a few were available separately, but very pricey! Others, including me bought the WP&Y steel cabooses for the trucks - that are similar but too short. And I would like to repatriate my trucks with the original caboose where they below.
Given that there are a lot of brass and non-brass RPO cars out there, it would seem to me to be a good candidate for 3D printed trucks. And I believe that all of those trucks are still in use on the Durango & Silverton because of their newer design, therefore available for measurements. Comments? Jim Spencer
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FWIW: LaBelle sells a lot of D&RGW passenger cars, all of which come without trucks. I personally have 6 unstarted kits and 3 completed ones on which I have installed KaDee 717 trucks ( 4' 6" arch bar). Blackstone made passenger trucks but everyone has been out of them for over a year+ now. Modelrailroadgeneralstore.com sells their own brand on eBay from time to time but their service is terrible - 10 days after payment clears before they ship.
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