Make it Oily (O-Scale Machinery)

Started by Keep It Rusty, May 06, 2021, 09:24:45 AM

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Keep It Rusty

Thanks to an amazing deal I scored for a number of SierraWest O-Scale kits, I've been toying around in the dark side recently. Don't worry, I'm staying firmly planted in HO (waaaay too much invested), but I'm enjoying dipping my toe in the larger scale now and then.

One of the many things that whisked me away with these particular kits are the details originally from CHB Models. Then a thought took over.

What if we could produce high-end, complex details like those from CHB on 3D printers? All you'd need to do is separate the parts with enough experience to know they would not only print well but also construct well. Not forgetting, of course, access to a talented 3D artist (not me!). Well, I had both, so I commissioned a friend to prototype, in 3D, the original Brown & Sharpe Universal Miller machine that CHB produced.

After a few short days of back and forth, sculpting and cutting, we landed here:



Detailed as this 3D model is, some parts are easier to source than print. Like feed belts and coolant pipes (paper and brass rod). We broke down the machine into almost 25 separate pieces and then I scaled the machine for O-Scale and printed it using my custom high-res print settings on my brand new Elegoo Saturn. Everything printed extremely well.





In the construction, tiny details like the handles were the difficult to deal with but not impossible. In O-Scale a single handle measures around 2mm. Whilst the resin was stable, working with these small details takes time and a magnifier — but it's all about the details and things like this make the machine POP with life so they are worth the effort.

In painting, I used a machine-green base, dark silver highlights, silver leaf "Rub N' Buff" on top of that, and then weathered with AK Interactive enamels and oils including Engine Grime, Engine Oil and Axle Grease.

Apart from the the hydraulic hose (wire cable), the coolant pipe (.015 brass rod), the over-arm (.072 brass rod) and the feed belt (brown construction paper) everything you see here was 3D printed. Essentially, the entire machine.

I know the paint job isn't the best, but the quality of the machine speaks for itself. Even those tiny handles came out looking perfect.

I'm already producing more machinery (not CHB) and may make some of them available for a limited run, should there be any interest. Let me know below!

S&S RR

Craig


Wow - Looks great!  When will we see the HO scale version?
John Siekirk
Superior & Seattle Railroad

Keep It Rusty

Thanks, John!

HO is down the road, as it will require more fine-tuning to produce, but I do plan on attempting it at least!

fbernard65

Craig,

Outstanding.  Looks amazing.

Frank

GPdemayo

The detail is wonderful Craig, keep the photos coming .....great job.  8)
Gregory P. DeMayo
General Construction Superintendent Emeritus
St. Louis & Denver Railroad
Longwood, FL

Keep It Rusty

Thanks, all! Glad you like it. Excited to move on to other prototype machinery now that this has proven the processes worth!

deemery

I'd be interested in an early (belt driven) HO turret lathe.  My machine shop could use one of those...  I think Model Masterpieces did one, but those are next-to-impossible to find.


dave
Modeling the Northeast in the 1890s - because the little voices told me to

Keep It Rusty

A lathe is in the pipeline, for sure.

I've been searching a neat prototype to use, so if you've seen a design you like feel free to share!

SteveCuster

Looks really great Craig! I love what you're doing with the 3d printing. I'm going to pick up a resin printer soon so I can experiment on my own a bit.
Steve Custer

cuse

That finishing work is just nuts! Really really great work!

deemery

Quote from: Keep it Rusty on May 06, 2021, 07:42:37 PM
A lathe is in the pipeline, for sure.

I've been searching a neat prototype to use, so if you've seen a design you like feel free to share!


This site will keep you busy for the next decade!  http://vintagemachinery.org/home.aspx


dave
Modeling the Northeast in the 1890s - because the little voices told me to

Keep It Rusty

Steve — thanks so much. You'll love 3D printing once you get the knack. Take a beat, but it's worth the effort! I recommend Elegoo as a brand now!

John — appreciate those words! I'll be putting a lot more effort in the next machine which I'll be posting next week sometime.

Dave — love that site. It's been my got to for all the machines I have in the pipeline. Thanks for sharing, anyway!

postalkarl

Hey Craig:

Beautiful job on both of those. Love the coloring.

Karl

Keep It Rusty


Oldguy

Dam, but those are good.  Actually, they are great.
Bob Dye
Livin large on a pond

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