(05/11/17) Bi-Level Auto Carrier from Menards!

AMCDave posted:

Go to the website Shapways and look at the parts for sale. They own the fastest and cheapest printers that the public can use. High def printer and GOOD media (plastic) will cost you that from a vendor. Buy your own printer and do it yourself but the part will not look like a Shapeways part......$1K desktop printers are very limited in size and definition. 

Laser cutting ( I own a laser and commercial cut) cost $1 a minute and only use electricity and no media. 

Well I hear what you're saying but I just went through their site and they offer to make an S scale hopper for $65.  Obviously someone didn't spend tens of thousands of dollars to make a die here.  Someone obviously designed it but if they can make these to order for that price, that must take into account the dsign costs, so surely it's possible to design a new freight car for much less that "traditional ways".

Ah , maybe I am misunderstanding their listings.  Are the prices the cost of the design  for your own 3-d printer?

No sounds like the $65 is for one hopper body printed for you. But let's admit the difference between a S scale hopper and a scale O 40ft box is a lot. You need a floor with the box and a much larger volume. But still if it's $120 then still a great deal for 3D printed considering you do not have to do design work (part of the cost)

Back to the auto-carrier, has anyone who bought it had any success removing the Buicks and replacing them with era appropriate vehicles?  Any suggestions?

Thanks.