Ok, bear in mind I model in 1:1 Scale, then rescale the model to print but we will talk in the 1:160 dims. The wheel sets I modeled in where 13.78mm tip tip, which should be MTs. But when I tried to fit some in I broke one leg off the truck and the others would not turn. So I added a little bit more width. The dim in the model from the inside tip of the axel box to the other tip is now 15.219mm. The back of the 'V' shape to put the wheels in to the back of the other 'V' shape is 14.326mm. So I am guessing that why they are falling out! And I think I know why, the wheel sets I was given to try I am guessing are atlas not MT!!!! Therefor I had it right first time, just the wrong wheels! I am not shore what I have in there now but mine will be smaller than yours anyway. I am also wondering now when I added the extra width I might of added it to both sides not half to each side, basically doubling the extra width! Bob, Please let me know what you get to work, if any. If nothing at all works I will update the model, based on a agreed dim, and work out a way to get you all some with the least cost possible. I want this to be right for you guys. Another option, just thinking aloud, does anybody make metal axle cones to make wheel run better in damaged trucks? Something like that could work, taking out the extra space and making them run better? -James
Good lord, no idea what I was thinking there. Flipped it around and it's a perfect fit. Time for the Goo Gone Cheers, -Mark
OK, I could use a little more guidance here. I soaked mine in Goo Gone (total immersion) for a couple of days, taking a toothbrush to them every 5-6 hours to get the shmootz off. But after rinsing them off in warm, soapy water it turns out that the sides didn't turn white like everything else (not to mention being pretty raggedy looking) - Did I do something wrong? Thanks, -Mark
Mark, No you did nothing wrong. I have had basically the sane results. I use goo gone as I have found it works out of the limited stuff available to me over here. Bisten appears to be the preferred stuff but I cant get it. Somebody please correct me on this if I am wrong but I would not recommend putting it back in the Goo Gone as too much can cause it to soften. Yes the toothbrush is the best way to remove the fluff but for me I left it in the Goo Gone for 24 hours, with out touching it. Then washed it in warm water. Then left it to dry for another 24 hours. In this time the whitening steadily got more and more, but like you have had not every ware went white, this may be the difference between Goo Gone & Bisten. Only after that did I use the tooth brush by which time the fluff had dried out and almost fell off. Another thing I have noticed, don't use enamel paint, it dose not seem to dry at all. Acrylics work very well. Every body's will look different after the Goo Gone as it also depends on which way up it was printed. Some people have said, on other models, that they have even sanded some sided to make things smooth. I haven't done this but once my stuff is painted and weathered I think it looks good. I haven't, or I should say, bobthebear hasn't painted my water bottle yet but the DD35 shell came out the Goo Gone like your water bottle and after a week I still was able to scrape off some fluff. But now it is painted it looks fab! Hope that helps, -James
Mark, that's Bestine, which is rubber cement solvent - heptane, IIRC. Nasty stuff, but it does a great job on the Shapeways FUD. Available at many sources in the US, and on line.
Ah, looks like Dick Blick Art Materials carries it. We have one of those nearby. Should I just soak the shells in the Bestine overnight and then go back in with a toothbrush? Thanks, -Mark
I am still waiting on Shapeways to deliver the missing chassis print. The GOO Gone followed by a good scrub with a nail brush brought the main body up fine ready for paint. I might try the Goo Gone in an ultrasonic bath next time to see if it helps any.
James, Pleased the shell is ok, hopefully the chassis will arrive soon. Have you tried any wheel sets? -James
When I cleaned some FUD printings, I soaked in Bestine overnight (Sealed jar, VERY volatile stuff) then took them out and let dry. No brushing was needed...YMMV, of course.
I tried the Bestine but it didn't seem to remove anything that the Goo Gone hadn't already removed. Going to try spraying primer today and see what I wind up with. Cheers, -Mark
Just finished soaking my water bottles for 24 hours in goo gone and to my surprise i some how only have 7 ladders don't know what i did from the time they went in to the finished wash and dry process but poof gone. James do you think you can offer the parts separately on Shapeways so i don't have to buy a whole car just for the ladder? Other than that this is my first product from Shapeways and I'm very impressed with the detail. Also coming back to the wheel issue i noticed that you put a V shape groove to aid in wheel installation it seems if the V was filled in the wheels would stay in better. I have some old roundhouse metal wheels that are close to the right size but if the V was gone they would be perfect. I'm going to try some thick CA in the groove and let you guys know what the outcome is i will also post the axle length of the roundhouse wheel set to see if fox valley has anything comparable. Thank you Phillip
James' Now that we have the rebuilt UP Water Cars and the pre 2005 UP Water Cars on the way how about the DLMX water car for the 4449 GS4 for you next project? Phillip
I only have 7 ladders too (missing one of the straights). I thought I'd somehow lost one (despite being very careful), but maybe I only had 7 to start with... Anyway, moot point since I made a big mess of mine. After all the Goo Gone / Bestine soaking, the chasses didn't fit the shells anymore. Dunno, either the chasses got bigger or the shells shrank. In any case, I mangled the hell out of the chasses trying to get them mounted, and given their extreme warpedness, no amount of CA was ever going to salvage them :-( Now that I've (hopefully) gotten all of my mistakes out of the way, I think I'm just going to hold off and wait for the pre-rebuild versions. Cheers, -Mark
Mark, Im missing one of the curved ladders. Have you tried soaking them in warm water to take the warps out? Do you think the Goo gone and the Bestine had a reaction to each other causing the warpage? Phillip
The chasses were warped from the get-go. It's mainly the "nothing fits anymore" size change that screwed me up. I think next time I'm going to assemble everything before doing any soaking... -Mark
Phillip, Yep I can and will add some 'loose Parts' for the tender. There is a minnimum model size and the ladders on their own may not be big enouth so it may be the ladders, headlights and toolboxes. I will do some test and get them up ASAP. Now, an open question, should I include a spare straight and spare curved ladder in each kit or should I put all the ladders on a sprue? What ever I do adds cost to the kit as Shapeways charge by cubic volume of material. -James
James, I think a couple extra ladders in the kit wouldn't hurt then you have replacements if they break later on. Phillip
