Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A question

Pondering time today. There has been a rush of work on the 3D CAD printing lately, with quite a few models produced. The quality of the print is not easy to make out at the moment, but for those of us wanting a 'close enough' model, the future does look bright. I must admit to being unconvinced but far be it from me to stop anyone making models, as long as they are in the right scale. It even has me wondering if I really need to put wires on the insides of my J sheep wagons (they are a pain in the ass to do and there are quite a few of them to finish). The inner finescaler seems to be rather quiet on this one as I'm keeping him occupied with dreams of 6 and 8 coupled loco mechs. I'll have to find a coin to toss.

This also raises the question about the state of S scale at the moment. Is there anyone actively modeling in the scale? Is there any progress? Is there a forum that we don't know about or has the scale fragmented into small groups isolated from each other? Likewise for the 'other' 9mm scale.
Enquiring minds do wonder....

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://www.facebook.com/groups/383072398398324/

nz S scale modellers.

Quentin

ben scaro said...

i'm doing sides for an ADL railcar at the moment ... in 3mm though. i wonder has anyone modelled one in 1:120 or would an etch sell?

they seem pretty unloved as trains go.

Peter Bryant said...

I lived right next to the avondale bank in auckland and my view was typically of ADL's running around. They are rather plain jane, but I heard someone was producing one a while ago now. Not sure if anything became of it.

Anonymous said...

I think the way forward here with CAD and stuff is (don't you just hate buzz phrases that become the norm?), as mentioned somewhere else, 3D printed basic shells that can be then detailed as desired. Using etchings or whatever else may be available. Fantastic!

And yes please do put wires in your J5s. They're not the same without :)

BTW aren't ADLs just butt ugly ? (personal opinion here)
SteveF

Motorised Dandruff said...

Hmm, adding the wires adds most of the time to building the J's up. stand back 2' and they are nowhere to be seen.

The Aucjkland surburban scene is crying out to be modeled, with the great variety of rolling stock. When the electrices get there it will be even more interesting for several months.

Lewis Holden said...

The Facebook group is the most active online group I know of.

The stuff you're doing with CAD and 3D printing is fascinating. I'm keen to do the same in S scale but have to teach myself CAD...

Motorised Dandruff said...

fascebook is all very well and good, but for thsoe of us not on facebook, its a closed shop (like the yahoo groups). This blog and the NZ120 forum are open to anyone who cares to have a look.

Anonymous said...

Well said that man! FarceBook is for figjams.

Grant M said...

Apart from the FB forum which I find good I also, like you run my web page for the S scalers http://nzrmodeling.webs.com/
I average 15-20 visiters a day and have 60 members who like to keep up to play with my work both on the layout and kit builds. S scale very much alive in my world
Grant

Peter Bryant said...

The detail on s scale is impressive to say the least! I prefer nz120 purely on the size of the layouts, long rakes of wagons & more importantly not having to shell out 700ish bucks for the correct nz narrow gauge look. And being one of the have nots, am able to sustain a good varied range of models on a meager self employed wage.

Grant M said...

Prior to the S scale bug I was a N scaler in US era, Apat from the contiuation of my layout I have now started the build of a NZ120 table top layout which I am enjoying as a change and using my N scale skills.

beaka said...

this 3D printing certainly has possibilities.i have been helping to run our clubs Raurimu N scale layout at the local woodcrafters show(don't ask why!its a long story)anyway was talking to a local businessman demonstrating a computer operated router and he mentioned he had just imported a 3d printer which he knew very little on at this stage, but for $4000, i guess he must realise a market for it exists. exciting times ahead for us all, especially if we can get printing done locally.