3D printing

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Dan Lawler

Dan Lawler

Member
I'm considering getting a 3D printer. What are sources of ready to use model railroad software are available to print things like car bodies, detail parts, trackside structures, etc.? I can't see myself developing the CAD skills needed to design my own. 🤔
 
If you're not going to do CAD, there isn't much reason to get one unless other people have made what you want. It might be better to find a friend with one or use one at a library or similar.

It's a bit of story, but I recently got one and haven't printed anything with it yet because the amount of things I have ready to print wouldn't make much of a dent in the required bottle of resin. And I even do my own CAD.
 


Purchased a used 3D printer for $100 and have produced many items for the railroad. My grandson wanted a Jurassic Park scene for his (dad's) HO railroad and I was able to print the gates. Have also printed many Jersey barriers, a log skiff, outhouses, dumpsters, a green dinosaur for a Sinclair gas station, and several Quonset huts. Recently found on the web free programs for boats, car floats & ferries. I used CAD for a CNC workshop taken at the local JC but have not tackled any model railroad items on CAD. There are plenty of items out there shared by other folks.

The used printer is small but works fine, getting the temperature & feed correct took some practice and patient. As I learned in CNC Feeds & Speeds matter for a good finish.
 
First are you looking at FDM (Filament) or SLA( Resin), I have both. Each fills different needs. SLA takes longer when only printing a couple of items, but gives a lot better details. FDM is cheaper but less details. I've found lots of ready to print items on Thingiverse. I especially like the work of https://www.thingiverse.com/kabrumble/designs though I've had to rework a couple because they didn't render correctly. All my designs are here. https://www.thingiverse.com/bigfoot13/designs
 
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