My SW1200 shell didn’t need any additional polishing. I just used Martha Stewart metal primer and the sanded that smooth and that seemed to work. The only surface issue I had was with the top grill; some of the grid was polished off. But I just printed decals to simulate grills and it looks fine.
If Shapeways gives you your model and it does look like it should because of the cleaning take photo's of it and send the photo to customer service at Shapeways! They should re print it! I had one of my Boxcab done it brass and it looked like someone didn't know how to use the buffer tool and it looked like they cut into the meatal when cleaning! they replaced it!
I tested out some decals on this plastic S2 shell and turned it into an interesting flat car load at the same time.
I never thought I would see a z scale switcher as incredible as this one. It's a masterpiece. The load idea is great. The cribbing looks prototypical. Excellent work. Jim
What Randy is doing for the scale is Amazing! Like with the N scale Atlas S2 and BLI SW7/NW2 models that have gone to diecast bodies, a non-split frame chassis with a metal body seems right for engines this small, and the only practical solution if room for a decoder is available. As the only external differences between an Alco S2 and S4 are the trucks, and you are offering friction bearing AAR Type A Trucks for the SW1200, you could market this as and S2/S4 shell.
Looking forward to build a D&RGW S2 after finishing my SW1200. Verstuurd vanaf mijn ANE-LX1 met Tapatalk
I finally finished my first S2. I came close to finishing a few weeks ago but I broke two of the plastic trucks while working on the model. If you decide to order one, I recommend a #76 drill bit for making the holes for the grab irons. The #80 drill bit is too fragile and will likely break. I designed the etched metals grab irons to work with the larger size hole. Or you can opt for the version that has the grab irons integrated into the shell. This is an older version of the model. The newest printable model has been designed to allow certain details to print better/clearer.
This version with seperatly applied grabs is much finer than the previous. As soon as I get my disbersement, I'll be ordering a couple. Please consider a superdetailers version of one of your shells. That is, etched brass side door panels, etched brass or brass screen for grilles, etc., and just a smooth basic shell with hollowings where the panels go. It would be super easy to sand super smooth, then apply all the seperate details just like a GHQ N Scale kit.
I'm going to paint my Shapeways brass CNJ Boxcab Diesel No. 1000. My first try at painting brass. The surface is I think smooth enough but maybe too smooth! It is very shiny, it looks polished, just like the pictures of your S2. I don't have a tumbler. How would you go about preparing the surface for paint without that? Or what primer is best for brass? Color will be acrylic.
Alco also changed the windows and window gaskets after S4 production started. S2 and early S4 had "squared" cab windows, later S4's had "rounded" cab windows.
So, I got my retirement disbursement this morning and just ordered 2 of the S2 kits without grabs, and afterwards went to the the Z Maker site and much to my horror, discovered the handrails are "SOLD OUT". Can somebody who has not installed their handrails take a photo of the handrails laying flat next to a ruler and message them to me so I can reproduce a couple sets? Thanks in advance, Robert
Nice try at pirating my handrails, sir. The handrails have not been delivered yet so my only option for the website is "sold out". It should be another week or two and they will be available. They are coming from overseas so the window of delivery is vague.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I am a MASTER pirate too. I am actually. Although I do not sell what I pirate. One morning Animiek posted a photo of the parts to his caboose kit, and by just seeing the photos, later that evening I posted a photo of my version of the very same caboose, painted decaled, and ready to run! Animiek quickly emailed me asking me not to sell kits of it, as he just started after spending weeks developing the kit. Hehe, I never sold them, I just made some for my own use. That was this caboose: It's going to be a couple weeks till my shells get delivered, so I can wait for your handrail kits to arrive, I had actually thought I missed the boat on them.