Has anyone out there tried to create a CAD file to print a Southern Pacific whaleback tender? I think this would be a great way to make this tender, perhaps to fit a bachmann spectrum lower frame with a bit of bashing. I have zero experience with CAD files and really don't have any idea how to start a project like this.
I've made tenders, but not round ones. Fortunately whalebacks have a single curved section so should be fairly easy to design with a simple free 3D program like Google SketchUp. Problems may arise if you want to show rivets as they'll be tedious to do correctly on a curved surface without a more sophisticated program, and the railings will have to be added with wire or PE. The footboards may also be better as a separate part or use wood. You're at the mercy of the print operator too, as different print orientations will affect the degree and location of graininess or stiations that can occur, but the size and shape should make things easy for them to do right. With no rivets it's easier to clean up problem surfaces. Make sure the curve is smooth (or made of 100 or more segments if using SketchUp), wall thicknesses are at least .025" and add ample bracing inside the edges to prevent warping and it should turn out okay. Make sure to measure the donor chassis and shell very carefully too. Eric Cox http://www.shapeways.com/shops/panamintmodels?sort=name
I've kitbashed one from a Model Power tender (in making a SP MK-3 2-8-2) and then scratch built everything above the chassis (years ago before the advent of 3d printing). I even embossed the rivets on the styrene. It turned out pretty good but now I wish I was better at 3d CAD programs. This would be on my short list of things to create. Maybe I'll dust it off and take some pictures to post. I considered casting it (I'm a wizard at casting things) but never really needed more than the one I have in the size that it is (some day I plan on making a smaller one for a 2-8-0).
