Grahame's N/2mm London Bridge train set

[simond]

Graham,

have you invested in 3DP? The items you have listed are, in the main, geometric, and thus reasonably easy to create in CAD, and print in quantity. People & animals are more difficult, but downloadable, and the Meshy software offers a further route.

i wholly agree that major road accidents are unattractive subjects for models.

atb
Simon

 

[grahame]

I think I've missed the boat with regards to home 3D printing. I don't think I'll be able to quickly learn and grasp the technicalities which are closer to computer programming than traditional modelling skills, and it rather too close to my work experiences when I had a job before retirement.

However, I'm not adverse to purchasing, fettling and painting 3D products and there are plenty available in the marketplace for N/2mm that offer choice and are inexpensive. It's that I prefer and enjoy the more traditional model making techniques and I'm happy to use styrene strip, sheet and extrusions to knock up geometric items as with these bus stop shelters below.

 

[simond]

They’re great. Clearly it’s a case of whatever floats your boat, and, playing to your strengths. I don’t like repetition, and i’d rush it, and I would then do a job I’m not happy with and then it all goes to hell in a handcart… Computer aided modelling suits me very well! And it allows me to do stuff that my physical dexterity (which, happily is not bad) couldn’t achieve (at least repeatably).

That said, having spent a few too many hours on the CAD today, I am very happy that the print is running and I can do something else! All being well, I’ll have something unique at the end of it, so it’ll have been worth it. My daughter refers to this as “type 2 fun”, in that it’s not great while you’re doing it, but afterwards, you’re happy that you did!

Irrespective of which, I am very much enjoying your build.
atb
Simon

 

[Grahame Hedges]

Yep, horses for courses. Doing modelling on a screen with a keyboard is not really my ideal type of fun and enjoyment. I think I do enough of that already when undertaking research and posting on forums, and I did a hell of a lot more when working. Tactile traditional modelling is a very welcome and therapeutic break from it.

But I'm happy for others to do the CAD/3D printing and to be able to purchase the results which then turn up in the post - so I'm not missing out on the technology. There's quite a sizeable industry of small suppliers offering a range of N/2mm parts and accessories. And I guess I can call on friends, who are happy with 3DP, to help out if necessary.

Recently I received several packs of 3DP point heater cabinets and trackside electrical cabinets which I'd need quite a quantity of. Same with air-con units, wheelie bins (I didn't realise how long they'd been around) and other scenic details which are now painted and in my stash, along with other media (like etched skips, white metal and resin castings and scratch-built styrene items) ready to add to the layout.

 

[grahame]

I succumbed to the modelling itch and had a little dabble with one of the buildings, featured in a pic on the previous page, after I got back from the hospital yesterday evening in an effort to improve it. It now has an extension and sits on a pavement base although not fully detailed and complete; gutter and downpipe, kerb stones and flue, etc., to add.



I added the side extension to take the building up to the main road - generally land is valuable and isn't wasted in urban environments so it seemed appropriate. It wasn't a large enough space for a separate building/use so is a somewhat nondescript extension. Compare the pic below with the one on the previous page.

I've also added a couple of 3D printed commercial dumpster bins, from my scenic items stash, being that it's the rear of an industrial unit (now gone) and back of a retail premises (currently a fried chicken takeaway). Although it's not essential to do anything, I'm not sure how best to finish off the broad pavement area (fence it off, have a parked delivery van on it, add other details, etc) so will give that some thought.

 

[John57sharp]

The dumpsters really help bring that building to life. I really enjoy the small details on and around buildings.
Cheers
John