Zinc pest and/or rot. Isn't there some way to slow it down or stop it?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I've personally talked to folks that have products fabricated in China and there are many small shops doing stuff like diecast parts, they don't do all of the work in those large modern factories.  Manufacturing in China is not that different than here in the US, lots of different suppliers contribute to any reasonably complicated end product.

I see I’ve mirrored your reply,…..so we’re on the same page,……😉

Pat

@Junior posted:

With the proliferation and affordability of 3D printers nowadays,  Lionel would post the item components 3D printable file in an online library managed by them..

Item owners (i.e. consumers) could then purchase the printable part file from Lionel for a nominal fee and print the replacement part themselves.

If the premise is that 3D printing has become accessible and affordable, its no leap to say that 3D scanning of objects to create input files to a printer has or will become accessible and affordable. Interested parties can find a good part to borrow and scan, then print as many of their own as they like.

@Norman R posted:

If the premise is that 3D printing has become accessible and affordable, its no leap to say that 3D scanning of objects to create input files to a printer has or will become accessible and affordable. Interested parties can find a good part to borrow and scan, then print as many of their own as they like.

Scanning a part and creating a fully specified design is not as simple as it seems.  Here's one of many guides to turning a sample 3D scan into a suitable part for printing, this one is from FormLabs.

How to Use 3D Scanning and 3D Printing for Reverse Engineering

Its hard to bet against things getting more capable and easier.

The scene is the living room floor in the 1970’s as little Billy and his grandfather play with grandpa’s train set.

Grandpa: “Billy, when you grow up, you’ll be able to control your train set with your phone.”

Billy: “Moooooooom!   Grandpa’s off his meds again!”

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I've personally talked to folks that have products fabricated in China and there are many small shops doing stuff like diecast parts, they don't do all of the work in those large modern factories.  Manufacturing in China is not that different than here in the US, lots of different suppliers contribute to any reasonably complicated end product.

This is correct. It has been confirmed here by multiple people with experience in O gauge train production.

What some just don’t seem to realize is that the volume of O gauge trains produced in China is minuscule compared to major American companies doing business there. The number of diecast couplers, trucks and frames needed dictates small-scale operations.

Even the main factories involved in toy train production are small compared to larger factories that produce items for mass-market consumption, like Mattel’s Hot Wheels (which were sourced from several Asian locations over time).

3D printers turn out plastic parts.  The parts that are subject to zinc issues may not work in plastic, like wheels for example.

@ogaugenut posted:

3D printers turn out plastic parts.  The parts that are subject to zinc issues may not work in plastic, like wheels for example.

There are 3D printers for metal too and I think most wheels are steel, no?

@ogaugenut posted:

3D printers turn out plastic parts.  The parts that are subject to zinc issues may not work in plastic, like wheels for example.

There are 3D printers that print metal parts. Clearly, those printers are currently a whole bunch more expensive than the ones that print in the various plastic materials.

Also, it's not out of the question to cast wheels, Henning's Trains makes tens of thousands of wheels every year, and they are selling all they can make.

Too many have used 3-D printing as a panacea to a number of manufacturing shortcomings. While the process is promising for a number of custom designs in our hobby, it still doesn’t serve as the answer for the complete design and manufacturing of O gauge trains, a process that takes years and involves a whole lot more than a few cast parts.

The answer is that manufacturers have to clean up their production processes. It’s clear that they are trying to maximize profits, not merely hit a low target price point as in the olden days. If you are going to charge more than $1,500 for a locomotive, ensure it’s a quality-checked item.

Beyond that, keep in mind that zinc alloy castings have topped the century mark, in some cases, and Lionel’s postwar models of steamers are still doing well. It can be done right, and should be.