Plastic Modeling

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

OK so now that the pictures are sorted out.

Great stuff! Makes me want to get back into modeling.

Next step, you need a 3D printer to create some of your custom parts, and to suck up the last remaining bit of free time you have.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Good on this one, home and work.

Yep. Oddly enough this works for me at work as well. Considering that it is from Flickr I would expect it to be blocked.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Yep. Oddly enough this works for me at work as well. Considering that it is from Flickr I would expect it to be blocked.

I believe it is because FLICKR is typically categorized as a "photo search and images" site not a file sharing site.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Great stuff! Makes me want to get back into modeling.

Next step, you need a 3D printer to create some of your custom parts, and to suck up the last remaining bit of free time you have.

A 3D printer to make those wing folds would have been wonderful. Each one of those teeth on the hinge points had to be rounded and cut separately then attempt to glue them evenly spaces so they would interweave with each other. Considering they are only 3/8 of an inch long it was very fiddley and tie consuming. I also spent hours digging through my spare parts boxes for just a couple of components that I didn't want to make from scratch. The release/lock indicator levers with the small rings at the end at the top (actually it is the underside) of the wing were from a mine clearing device from a tank and the box with cables at the very top are sections cut out of a F-4's landing gear. All in all there are about 30 separate, very tiny parts in each wing. With a 3D printer I could have just converted over the few pictures there are and made it all in one section. The other nice part is that there is a huge aftermarket fo such cottage industry model modding parts. With a 3D printer I could make the wing/tail fold mechs and storage carriage, sell them as a set and probably get $50 or so each.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

A 3D printer to make those wing folds would have been wonderful. Each one of those teeth on the hinge points had to be rounded and cut separately then attempt to glue them evenly spaces so they would interweave with each other. Considering they are only 3/8 of an inch long it was very fiddley and tie consuming. I also spent hours digging through my spare parts boxes for just a couple of components that I didn't want to make from scratch. The release/lock indicator levers with the small rings at the end at the top (actually it is the underside) of the wing were from a mine clearing device from a tank and the box with cables at the very top are sections cut out of a F-4's landing gear. All in all there are about 30 separate, very tiny parts in each wing. With a 3D printer I could have just converted over the few pictures there are and made it all in one section. The other nice part is that there is a huge aftermarket fo such cottage industry model modding parts. With a 3D printer I could make the wing/tail fold mechs and storage carriage, sell them as a set and probably get $50 or so each.

The problem with a 3d printer is it is harder to produce the digital model accurately without the physical references such as the wing profile being available to check how it fits. So you have to wait for the print to complete (if it does so successfully, which is it's own learning curve) before you know if it fits and looks right in the physical model. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a few sets, but probably not going to save much time for the first take.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spuds

The problem with a 3d printer is it is harder to produce the digital model accurately without the physical references such as the wing profile being available to check how it fits. So you have to wait for the print to complete (if it does so successfully, which is it's own learning curve) before you know if it fits and looks right in the physical model. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a few sets, but probably not going to save much time for the first take.

Took much test fitting and trimming to get the inserts to fit right anyway so getting the data really wouldn't be much worse.
Doesn't matter since I doubt I will ever get one anyway.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Spuds

So you have to wait for the print to complete (if it does so successfully, which is it's own learning curve) before you know if it fits and looks right in the physical model. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a few sets, but probably not going to save much time for the first take.

The good news is the parts are small so the print time wouldn't be long (relatively speaking). But, you are correct, steep learning curve in both design and successful print.

My son has a relatively low end printer (a MonoPrice one, don't remember the model number) and we've done a few straight-from-the-web prints and a few custom designed ones, mostly D&D related, and each is a challenge.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

The good news is the parts are small so the print time wouldn't be long (relatively speaking). But, you are correct, steep learning curve in both design and successful print.

My son has a relatively low end printer (a MonoPrice one, don't remember the model number) and we've done a few straight-from-the-web prints and a few custom designed ones, mostly D&D related, and each is a challenge.

The nice part is I have access to some excellent CAD guys that would totally love little projects like this. I would pretty much just have to give them some pictures and base measurements and they would have drawing to me in hours.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Also read that resin 3d printed parts shrink in the UV curing stage, so you have to factor that in the scale and design. Major props to those who 3D print their own stuff successfully.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Also read that resin 3d printed parts shrink in the UV curing stage, so you have to factor that in the scale and design. Major props to those who 3D print their own stuff successfully.

Well my homemade ones may fall apart but they won't shrink.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Lol

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

With a 3D printer I could make the wing/tail fold mechs and storage carriage, sell them as a set and probably get $50 or so each.

This is precisely why I am working on buying higher quality and larger 3D printers. Not for the model industry but for other things.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

This is precisely why I am working on buying higher quality and larger 3D printers. Not for the model industry but for other things.

My grandson is talking about getting one to make custom parts for his airsoft guns (some of his modded ones are still air but no longer soft) so I may kick in a bit for him to get a better quality one. Even if can't get to do the fiddly parts it would be nice for bigger and none exact things like diorama components.

Oh the things I could do!

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

My grandson is talking about getting one to make custom parts for his airsoft guns (some of his modded ones are still air but no longer soft) so I may kick in a bit for him to get a better quality one. Even if can't get to do the fiddly parts it would be nice for bigger and none exact things like diorama components.

Oh the things I could do!

All I'm seeing here is "Legos"...