MGWR 7 ton van

[Maitland]

This represents the 1893 series, drawing in Ernie Shepherd's book. Created using Solid Edge community edition, and not quite complete- I haven't worked out how to do the door fastenings, obviously the undergear and roof are missing. It's actually to 4mm scale, but the STL (about 3MB) can be scaled. When reasonably complete, I intend to put this on Github so anyone can use it. I got a quote to make it from the Chinese company Seeed Studios, who I've used in the past to make very good PCBs, about $26 for two, including shipping and taxes. Actually I'm not very sure what they've quoted for, they could have taken dimensions as mm not inches, a bit like Spinal Tap's Stonehenge  (how do I check the dimensions field in STL?), and I can't contact them as it's Chinese holidays. Who would grudge Chinese workers their holidays?

 

Anyway, you resin printing experts: should I do the roof/ buffers as separate parts or will it print with them in place? I can't try it out as my order for a printer and washer hasn't been delivered yet, boohoo. Has anyone tried printing open- spoked wheels?

[jhb171achill]

Wow!! That looks great! Will it be possible to purchase a complete one? 

[Past-Avenue]

Hi Maitland 

In my experience you are best to print as one complete wagon. I have tried to print roofs separately and could not get them to my satisfaction and I now print as one unit. 

The ranks grain wagon is the only one that I print in three parts and it works out fine. 

If you need any further information please feel free to contact me. 

Enda 

[leslie10646]

Hi @Maitland. First, good luck with this interesting project. Like @jhb171achill, I'll have one too, please!

@Past-Avenue is giving you good advice, straight from The Stables, if not the actual Horse's Mouth. His work to produce my two cattle wagons and the van was done as a single print and the results were quite excellent. (Still available from me, of course!).

Our good friend @Mayner has used a 3D printer in Hong Kong and I can attest to the total excellence of their printing.

But rather than face the Slings and Arrows of the taxman, why not persuade @Past-Avenue to do it?

What about it Enda? I think they'd sell.

[Mayner]

While its feasible (with a suitable choice of resin & printer) to print a wagon with separate body, chassis and roof its often simpler, quicker and cheaper to produce a wagon as a single print.

The JM Design range of wagons were printed in full size 'bottom up" printers using specialist engineering resins in print houses in New Zealand, Singapore & China. In the end our Chinese print house proved the only one capable of consistently delivering consistent high quality prints at a reasonable cost.

Interestingly packaging (card box & foam insert) was a significant cost factor, also wheelsets, couplings, decals & paint (all  quantities).

Being located in New Zealand business was registered for GST (local equivalent of Vat) in order to claim back GST/VAT paid on expenses plus annual Accountancy Fees for business accounts, soo selling kits or model trains is an expensive business with hidden costs.

Enda @Past-Avenue produces a modified version of my Grain Wagon under license as it was not feasible to reliably print the original verison on his printer.

 

In the end I discontinued producing 3D printed wagons, with relatively low level of demand for Irish outline kits/batch built RTR items it was not worth the effort financially

[leslie10646]

5 hours ago, Mayner said:

While its feasible (with a suitable choice of resin & printer) to print a wagon with separate body, chassis and roof its often simpler, quicker and cheaper to produce a wagon as a single print.

The JM Design range of wagons were printed in full size 'bottom up" printers using specialist engineering resins in print houses in New Zealand, Singapore & China. In the end our Chinese print house proved the only one capable of consistently delivering consistent high quality prints at a reasonable cost.

Interestingly packaging (card box & foam insert) was a significant cost factor, also wheelsets, couplings, decals & paint (all  quantities).

Being located in New Zealand business was registered for GST (local equivalent of Vat) in order to claim back GST/VAT paid on expenses plus annual Accountancy Fees for business accounts, soo selling kits or model trains is an expensive business with hidden costs.

Enda @Past-Avenue produces a modified version of my Grain Wagon under license as it was not feasible to reliably print the original verison on his printer.

 

In the end I discontinued producing 3D printed wagons, with relatively low level of demand for Irish outline kits/batch built RTR items it was not worth the effort financially

Folks, take note of John's comments on the "bits" you need - a huge addition to the cost - £5 for two axles of wheels, another couple of quid for couplings (more for some types), decals at least a quid a wagon, usually more like two and to keep the price that low you're buying a hundred and might never sell that number of wagons.

Pre-1970 wagons are always going to look expensive beside Accurascale's ones, but that's the price of playing minority sports?

[Northroader]

Me, too [in 7mm)