I completed this American RR ditcher a few weeks ago. It is 3-D printed from Shapeways. I added the swing down window shutters from a photo I saw. I added the bracing on the door and the sheet metal panels in the rear window. I also added a steam whistle. It needs a cord of some kind. I'm open to suggestions on what to use. . The next one will have the roof removed and a boiler put in. I primed it with Tamiya primer and spray can yellow. It is weathered with washes and pastels. 3-D printing and laser kits have made z scale much more interesting for me. Items like these were unheard of in z scale. It looks like the possibilities are endless. Jim
That's a nice looking ditcher, Jim. If you want a tight cord I would suggest thin fishing line. It can be CA glued to the pulley, the body and the bucket while you hold it tight. It can then be painted black with your weathering. If you want a looser cable thread can be used.
Thanks, Thom. I am leaning towards silk thread. A couple of other folks have said the same. It comes in lots of colors. Really all I need is about 3' to last me a lifetime. I do have a few projects where rigging is the final step to finishing a project. zdrada. Is the 3-D ditcher paint/finish in danger of fading/changing colors. Is there a problem with painting 3-D models that I am unaware of? What is the proper way to seal a 3-D project after it is painted/weathered? Thanks, Jim
I used the silk thread on this 1912 steamshovel I designed and 3D printed. It has working parts boom and bucket. removable roof does not have boiler inside. the thread holds it shape with little weight! I used the silver colored thread here. It would be a better model if etch metal parts were used. As for the painting I have only found one thing and not sure what causes this but it might get a crystal look on it as if it had frost on it but a dry brush takes it off. I thought it might be the bestine but I did a few other models with out it and used just hot water and dawn dish soap. and it seems it still shows up! this is with the FUD Frosted Ultra Detailed material! this is seen after sitting a while not right away!
That looks great! I am going with the silk thread. I have several other builds that need rigging. The silk thread comes in dozens of colors. I've heard from you and a couple of others that it looks more natural than other types of line. I was going to use fly-fishing thread, which is basically silk/nylon. Since it is "specialized" I'm sure it will cost more than silk thread used for sewing. The brand I heard of is "kimono." I have a couple of other things I will probably retro-fit (if I can) if I like the results with silk thread. Thanks for the tip. Jim
Been a while! seems no one has any new projects up! I have been working with the 3D printing and my process has been slow since it's been nice weather. I finished these Log cars painted just looking for some fine scale chain to finish them up! I tried to do some 3D printed chain but couldn't make it small enough to look right in Z scale 1:220. There rules on Wall size and support wire thickness took that ideal out the door! The three logs were pencils cut up and sanded then ends painted to cover the pencil lead. Next I will take a fine saw blade and run it along the sides to give it some texture to look like bark and paint them black and dry brush with dark brown and light gray. I guess painting them will be the most fun!
Here is a photo of the thread I had to get it online! it's very fine and goes thru small hole with out trouble! Also another project was changing the boom for another model from the steam shovel. designing a claim shell bucket as in photo also use the same thread for that! design the flat car for the steam shovel called the American Ditcher!
To make it even easier to thread Walt, put a little crazy glue at the end of the thread. Let it set and then cut it at a 45 degree angle with an exacto knife right on the hard crazy glue. You get a nice sharp rigid end that acts like a needle and even more easy to thread thru small holes.
Thanks to you! Heavy Equipment Designer I would have never started using this thread! I haven't had any trouble yet threading it thru the Shapeways 3D prints yet! Except for the hard to get spots inside the enclosed spaces like attaching it to the winch drum. I did the American Ditcher with the removable roof then design one with a different boom and A car with a set of tracks!
back to the logging cars! Found some fine chain waiting for it to arrive. I started working on some Z scale logs for the cars. I use a pencil for the first three then found some round stock for the other two. I have four cars now. logs ready to be chained down. I use a saw blade to get the texture on the logs. I painted them black then dry brushed with dark brown then light gray. I think it looks good!
Another chapter in my continuing project. My first functional crossover with Fast Tracks #6 turnouts and Tam Valley Microswitches (powered by a QUADLN_S). Shown here with an AZL Amtrak E8. In this chapter I learned that there's a difference between a turnout that rolling stock will go through reliably and one a locomotive will go through reliably. I definitely need to file down the base rail on the frog to get a tighter fit (along with some other stuff). I also weathered, ballasted, and landscaped it and then put a Weirwood tree on it for good measure.
Small chain Arrived looks good to me and is much smaller then the 3D printed chain I think I can now finish my logging cars with this chain. They appear much smaller then chain I found in some hobby shop! I though I would post the link in case some one else needs some fine chain! https://www.shop.z-railways.de/product_info.php?products_id=2090
You know Walt, if you ever decide to build a new layout incorporating all of your creations, it will be a mighty large layout by the time you include scenery with all your structures and accessories.
Loren, Yep! It would have to be! but if I put it all on one layout I would have to break it up in section since I have so many pieces form different time periods and some even European models! I have started one just for my logging. But been busy with other things! yard, tuck, house seem like the year for everything to have a problem. Have a great day!
I am building the new Archistories "Goldtree" American Train Station. With "no glue" windows you insert and outside bracing holds them in place https://zscalehobo.com/archistories/101181.html
