Still haven't heard back from Shapeways. Meanwhile I cleaned the castings and Bestine really works! Other than the one problem (well two, one of the stacks is missing) the prints are awesome, with minimum of "fuddyness" on this particular model. Visible only in extreme magnification, see pics of the exquisite sideframes. Very nice. I've scraped off the "veins" on one end, but it will look imperfect at best. Hopefully Shapeways will come through... Regards, Otto
shapeways is good at fixing your problem. I had a bad trailer and they sent out a new one in 4 days of me emailing them. I know it is a pain but they will make it right.
Everyone's telling me about Shapeways great service. I can't get them to respond to my messages. I sent them my THIRD request this morning....
Hello all, Right I have had more than several requests now for etched brass handrails for my models, and...................................Yes I am going to do it. I have hooked up with a company over here in the UK to do the actual etching; I’ll be doing the art work of course. I will be starting with DT6-6-2000 (and the DT6-6-2400 which will be available soon). This will take a few weeks to work it all out and get a test done but I am feeling positive about it all. I don' know prices for you yet but it won’t be much for an individual set of rails. Also postage can be low, even to New Zealand, as these parts are light and small. My plan is to continue to offer complete 3D printed shells for those who want them and an 'Additions Series' of kits which will part 3D printed and part etched brass for those that want to go a step further. The brass parts will need to be ordered from me directly and the 3D printed shells will come from Shapeways. So, if you are interested let me know, and watch this space. -James
James, that is great news! Thank you! The shell casting, er print, is excellent, but the FUD handrails really detract from an otherwise very nice model. I was going to form my own, but this is a much better (and much easier) solution. Maybe by the time you have these etched, I will finally have Shapeways acknowledge my inquiries and replace my misprinted one??? Thanks again! Otto K.
Just ordered my four !!! Will also be watching for the handrails. VERY good week, and it's only Tue !!! Started a new GOOD job, ordered 4 Center-cabs... what could be next ??? Maybe GF will bring her sister home, with some steaks and a case of beer !!!
Well my Shapeways saga continues. They never responded to my five inquiries over the course of a week, but more recently sent me a generic satisfaction survey, to rate them on a scale of 0 to 10. I gave them a zero, along with an explanation, and the same day, got a response and an apology....they are "looking into it". I sent them pictures of the misprint yesterday and now await further development... Perhaps my replacement shell will finally arrive? Otto K.
Should be receiving my shells tomorrow, and have ordered 3 of the 4 Atlas Alcos I will need. Each less than $70 !!! Just came by to see if Cajon's problem has been solved, and was also wondering if anyone else is working on these. Can't wait to get 'em, but I truly hope they take care of Cajon first. It would only be right, ya' know ???
Well Run8, that is very considerate of you... thank you. Unfortunately, as of today, Shapeways is still "investigating the cause of this issue", so no luck yet, see attached below. I'm really getting fed up with this nonsense; I've spent more time documenting the problem and corresponding with Shapeways than I care to admit. At least I'm getting polite responses now, rather then being ignored the first FIVE tries.... but I still don't know if I'm getting a replacement shell..... I was so excited to be the first kid on the block to build this engine and now I'm just tired of it....To be continued... Otto K.
Hi all, here is quick update in the etched handrails for this loco. Hopefully they will be in production soon. -James
James, that's awesome. Put me on the top of your list please. What's the thickness of the brass sheet? Thank you, Otto K.
Worked late, and just got home to a nice, soggy box thanks to Mother Nature and UPS !!! My 4 shells were inside and with a quick inspection, I haven't found any surprises. The fact that a horn is missing isn't really a surprise, seeing that some pinhead stuffed four shells, eight side frames, and eight "engineer pieces" into a sandwich bag !!! "Pinhead" wasn't the word I chose, but GF suggested that as an alternative !!! I happy as a clam, but nobody move, or even BREATHE 'til I find this Damn horn !!!
OK, you can all breathe again, and the .45 is back in the gun safe. FOUND THE HORN !!! Now, of course, I'll be interested in those handrails. Already picturing these things in Bright Orange !!!
Hi James, Those handrails look really good. Let me know how and when to order a couple of sets. BTW... about the 'veiny-ness' on the one end of each of Otto and my units. The problem is not isolated to your DT6-6-2000 shell. I just received FOUR Baldwin VO-660 shells from Shapeways... and had some similar problems on all of them. It seems that there is some kind of production flaw in their 3D process that messes up one end of the model... but the other end comes out okay. I sent Shapeways an 'unsatisfactory' (detractors) response to their survey and brought up both the current VO-660 and your DT-6-6-2000 as having issues during production. I was specific that it was NOT a designers problem... but... rather a production problem. I got a response within a few hours from them (yesterday) requesting more details and photos of the problems. I sent Shapeways (today) several photos and explained the problems from ALL FOUR purchases I've made from the four different designers. I'm curious to hear back from them about all of these models. Before I post those photos here... let me see what kind of response I get from them now. Otto... I hope you get some response about your issues too.
Thanks Joe! I finally got a firm response from Shapeways: I'm getting a new shell! Voila! See below.... I hope his one is good; holding my breath. Sorry Joe to see you're getting similar misprints, it seems endemic. To be continued.... Otto K.
The sheet is 0.2mm thick. I'm making a list of who wants a set or sets, if there is enough of you I will order more sheets, please let me know. -James
Sounds like we need to decide quickly if we want a complete kit to be able to get the brass detail parts.
