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3d printers

Discussion in 'Model Railways' started by martin1656, Jul 2, 2021.

  1. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Now that these are getting more affordable, and cad programs are allowing far more detail to be added, has anyone gone down the print your own trucks, buildings etc route for model railway layouts
    I'm certainly becoming more interested in buying a printer, mostly because i bought some 3d printed L&B coaches and i think they are actually undersized , either that of the 4 wheelers i got, are over sized, and i would like to have a stab at printing some 4w coach body's myself because the genetic ones i have just are very plain and i saw a video of one someone had planned, printed, and it had far more detailing,
     
  2. MG 7305

    MG 7305 New Member

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    Try here for a starter's viewpoint.
     
  3. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Well i took the plunge and ordered an printer, now i have to refresh my Drawing skills, I did TD at school, but that was in the days when CAD was just a dream, in some programmes mind, more like drafting, than using a mouse,
    I have been told that Sketch up for web is a good basic cad program and its free, for the basic version, so I've down loaded it, and now the fun begins, learning basic cad drawing, before i start to actually print anything, can anyone offer any advise in using these programs, for instance, scale sizing etc, I'm going to start simple, maybe a small building like a wayside shelter and booking office, and go on to designing as chassis for some coaches, then some bodies for my narrow gauge lay out.
     
  4. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    I've yet to find a topic which isn't covered by a selection of YouTube tutorial videos, ranging from cr@p to very good.
     
  5. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    You tube - the unofficial manual to life :D

    There’s quite a lot on 3D printing on there to be fair. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3DModelTrains/?ref=share
    I
    f you use Facebook, the above group is dedicated to the subject.
     

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