Standard Gauge PRR K4 - 3D printed

You know Jim......we could really use a standard gauge Camelback. 

FASCINATING cutting edge technology!

NJCJOE posted:

You know Jim......we could really use a standard gauge Camelback. 

Joe - I too am fond of camelbacks, especially the CNJ L-7 series (ala #774). Have to get my young CAD modeler working it! Gonna be a little while though.

Man Jim!  I didn't think you would get that printed so quickly!  I... ahh... ahh like.  I can't wait to see more!

Dennis Holler posted:

Man Jim!  I didn't think you would get that printed so quickly!  I... ahh... ahh like.  I can't wait to see more!

Dennis - the cool thing about the printer is that once you have it set up, you go away and come back tomorrow and there it is! The boiler took about 40 total hours of printing. I cut the cab and boiler front and printed them first, then the boiler, which used up all 15" of height in my printer. The printer I bought is called a "Creality CR-10" and has a print envelope of 12 by 12 by 15 inches, pretty big. Cost just over $400 new. There is a great group on Facebook with lots of hints on how to set it up, and some mods to make it better, but it generally has worked well since I got it (except for infant mortality of the ceramic heating element in the print head!!). Fortunately, they can be had for a couple of $. For another $50 or so, I have lots of spare parts, including a complete print head. There are some 'free' models out there you can download and print, but usually it's all about creating or modifying your model using CAD tools (several really good free ones). 

Jim,

Since winning a John Harmon standard gauge Challenger at a Stout Auction November 2017 and learning about the 600E, I have been searching the Internet for someone who makes Standard Gauge trains with real wheel configurations (i.e. not a 400E 4-4-4).  I covered a lot of history through Robert's Lines, Bob Thon, Liberty Lines, John Harmon, Harlan Creswell, Bob Hendrick, and many more... and landed on you :-)

I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know that if you make 'em, I'll buy 'em.  I do plan to operate them in a large barn on a massive layout so Big Boys, GG-1s, Challengers as well as Hudsons, Berkshires, etc... are on my wish list.  I am getting ahead of myself I know but I am interested in standard gauge engines and cars made out of metal.

What material does the 3D printer produce?

Thanks and I apologize for jumping in on this thread this way but I did not know how else to contact you.

Rich

jim is the material you used a resin based product?

You might want to check out the 4-8-4's Jim has been putting together if he has any left.

Still making the Lee Lines Daylights (these are 4-8-4's, dual motors, painted to SP Daylight, American Freedom Train or black wartime in SP or Western Pacific.  A couple are left - new castings this time, quality is great. Aluminum shell for the boiler and tender, steel frames for the mechanism. (picture shows the engine and passenger cars I'm producing). 

My 3D printer prints plastic. I'm using PLA, which is an organic based plastic. The K4 is still in work, I am contemplating using the printed model as a pattern for a metal cast boiler. Also printed a scale GG1, same drill. The K4 will use the Lionel sized drivers - 6 of them. I don't have a pattern for the Delta trailing truck yet, but working on it. I have some candidate steam chests, and a plan for valve gear and the drive. Will be large can motor and electronic reversing unit. 

For Terry - I think you can call the plastic a resin, it's a thermoplastic, so enables melting a fusing to the previous layer. My printer is known as a Creality CR-10 and can print up to 12 by 12 by 15 inches. For the K4, I had to print the cab separate, because overall length was 20 inches plus. The GG1 was printed in halves, side by side - a 56 hour print. Good that the power did not go off. 

Jim

Also have shells and tenders for a scale version of the Daylight, resin castings but very nicely detailed.  Also on the list, but not yet available. 

Jim

The future is upon us:  GREAT WORK!  Please keep us posted!  

Rmann - contact me at watermaj@comcast.net if you want more info on the Lee Lines engines

Jim

Thanks Jim.  I'll email you.

> I am contemplating using the printed model as a pattern for a metal cast boiler

I am really hoping that you will do that.

Thanks again,

Rich

rmann1932 posted:

Thanks Jim.  I'll email you.

> I am contemplating using the printed model as a pattern for a metal cast boiler

I am really hoping that you will do that.

Thanks again,

Rich

in any way ,shape or form,,,would be a great addition from this master craftsman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

terry hudon posted:

rmann1932 posted:

Thanks Jim.  I'll email you.

> I am contemplating using the printed model as a pattern for a metal cast boiler

I am really hoping that you will do that.

Thanks again,

Rich

in any way ,shape or form,,,would be a great addition from this master craftsman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, you're the best. Thanks

Jim

Thanks Terry.  I am sure they are awesome and I love the fact that Jim was planning to make scale versions.  That is such a big thing now with O and One gauge and I would really want those if I were doing One Gauge, which I seriously debated doing.  Non-scale but close to scale is fine for me with Standard Gauge as long as there are more than 4 drive wheels and the material is metal.  If Lionel Visionline offered Standard Gauge I would be all over that.

Rich 

That said, if Jim decides to make scale Standard Gauge engines and cars using metal, I will absolutely be a buyer.

Rich