Review of Shapeways model - British Boarhound armoured car

[marshall1945]

Just completed this - took a lot more effort than I thought given what the models looked like when I opened the package but this is all covered in the review

http://smww2andnapoleonic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/review-of-shapeways-model-british.html

Steve

[barbarian]

This is the main problem of the 3D printers : you need someone to clean the print lines. It is then cheaper to cast resins of the printed master.

[GrumpyOldMan]

This is the main problem of the 3D printers : you need someone to clean the print lines. It is then cheaper to cast resins of the printed master.

I agree, at the moment it is only useful as a prototyping tool. I've done a few prints and sometime the cleaning up takes up more time than the old style mastering  . Very handy though for making sure of dimensions (Can anyone tell I'm more at home with organic subjects?  ).

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

[Techno]

Very honest review, Steve.

I know of one manufacturer who went from using a designer, who did the same type of work as our own Mart 678,  to 3D printing for his 'masters'.
The manufacturer has now gone back to his original designer.
(Cheaper, and far better results, in the end.)

Cheers - Phil

[toxicpixie]

I really like how those Boarhounds have come out - I'd be very tempted myself!

The first prints looked a shoddy though, even if clear materials don't photo well

[marshall1945]

despite my disappointment with the material - and the cost - after lots of coats of paint and my standard painting approach to finish they do look nice on the table. so while unlikely to go this route again at least I have something I am happy enough to look at with some pride

[toxicpixie]

I'd be very chuffed - they actually look really real. When you see the real thing up close, the finish is actually a lot less perfect than most wargames castings, and your wrestling of the material into shape has a/ come out really well in its own right, and b/ nicely replicates the real thing 

Not sure I'd want that amount of hassle though, not for the cost

[marshall1945]

yes, for me it the hassle and cost that is the put off to get anything else

[Wulf]

I have two of these - I bought the second one in a more expensive material when seeing the layering on the first. Sadly, I can still see layering on the second, but still, a huge and impressive vehicle!

[Steve J]

The issues you have faced are normal on vertical surfaces for this style of printing. I should know as I'm a professional modelmaker and we have this style of printer at work. To get a nice smooth finish we have to paint the model, then sand it down wet, which helps to get rid of the waxy support material, which is the stuff that cuases the grainy surface. Then we paint it again and then sand it down dry as the materials are quite hygroscopic and so swell slightly, giving a layered finish. Dry sanding gets around this. then we paint it again and generally you have a good surface to work from. So as you can see a lot of time and effort involved. Also the material is not that stable as so you may find warpage on gun barrels etc over time .

[marshall1945]

Steve J - thanks for the info.  Mine were more furry than rough on the sides, really weird. Grainy or layers I was prepared for. But from what you say even if mine were printed a bit funny this is not the material for me. I will keep an eye on the guns - at least they are easy to remove and replace with plastic or something if needed

[Wulf]

Incidentally, there's a Pz Sfl.IVb and a TOG II* on Shapeways I intend to order next week. The TOG is upscaled from 1:285, so probably none too detailed, but where else can you get a 10mm/1:144/whatever scale TOG or Souffle for the World Of Tanks fans?

[marshall1945]

Hi I have seen resin Pz Sfl.IVb on ebay (ebay.com), both as kits and completed. But comes and goes. But Waffen 1./144 do one and can get in UK:

http://www.tankzone.co.uk/images/waffen144/w1006a.JPG

There stuff is not that great but a lot of it is the rubbish paint job and the come up better with some work. the resin is a bit brittle though.

Not seen a TOG as yet though

Steve

[marshall1945]

Wulf - just got an email to say free shipping on Shapeways this weekend. I may get a couple more Polikarpov I-153 as they were as expected, a bit grainy but not bad and consistent all over and at 7 euro good value if free postage. I might be tempted by one TOG - strong white which is grainy but hopefully is the same all over. but not really sure as £12 something

[Wulf]

Hmm... postage is actually a minor concern, when you order a couple of tanks, some 1:600 aircraft and a dinosaur or two, but every little helps, thanks!