3D Printer!

[RAF96]

I have a 3-D printed prototype loco body. I don’t know what medium it was printed using (light grey) but it is quite crumbly with little strength. Certainly nowhere near that of injection moulded plastic, although the surface finish was good enough to prime without any extra pre-smoothing being necessary.

Maybe other types of printing material have better qualities.

[IanS]

I have been following with interest posts about 3 D printing and have just bought a set of out riggers and chimney for a Hornby Breakdown crane which were produced by a 3D printer. I dont like them at all. The 3D printed copies, I would describe as rough to say the least. The finish is poor and certainly is not a exact copy of the original Hornby mouldings. I would have been better off making my own from plastic sheets and mouldings from the model shop.
The finish of the chimney was so bad I had to finish it off with a file. I'm not impressed with 3D printers.
These 3D printers will have to do better than that or I would not bother with them again. Next time I want something like this I will make my own as us modellers have always done. With our hands.

I suspect it is not the 3D printer but shoddy workmanship and quality control.

You can print in a number of different materials and at different resolutions (just like on paper) and this will affect the quality of the finished produce (just like on paper).

[footplate1947]

Tell you the truth Ian I dont care. Mud sticks,,, I will not be wasting my money on anything printed again. I will make it in time honered fashion. With my own tow hands. Better than any printer and you get satisfaction from having made it yourself.

[IanS]

It takes a different kind of skill set to make something with a 3d printer and to make with plastic card etc.

I've more chance of learning the first set than the second, but recognise you and many others here have already far surpassed my skill set on the second and I'd never be able to catch up.

For those interested in 3D printing as an option my first rule of thumb would be to have a very good idea of what you wish to make and that it's suitable for 3D printing. Think in terms of model kits rather than finished products, where the pieces need trimming and gluing together, sanding and priming and painting.

I certainly wouldn't entertain the thought of buying an overpriced part 3D printed, but would consider spending £500-£900 on a 3D printer capable of making 100's of them!