On another thread I described a 3D printed switch machine that uses a small DPST slide switch to operate an N Scale turnout ... https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/3d-printed-n-scale-switch-machine.130939/ The purpose of the switch machine besides throwing the turnout and powering the frog is to look like something that you might find track side. It uses different objects on the top of it to basically replace the handle on the slide switch that you normally use but doesn't look like anything that you would find track side. I'll post some of the pictures that I have up on my website below and you can find more and a better description of how all of this works here.... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/page-2.html I'm still in the process of coming up with new objects and also how they mount. When I'm done with that I'll try and get most of the files up on my thingiverse.com account and anyone with a printer or access to one can print them out if they want to. More info on the above here... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/page-2.html Sumner
I like this idea, wish i had known about it before installing ground throws through out the layout! For ideas, how about a parked vehicles?
I've though about the parked vehicle thing and agree that it would be a good idea. Problem right now is my 3D CAD skills aren't up to doing a car or other vehicle. One option is to use one you already have and ... glue it to the blank deck I have that is shown above. I'll soon have the files for this up on my account here... https://www.thingiverse.com/Sumner/designs I'd like to find a vehicle on thingiverse.com where the build file has been posted. I could then modify the vehicle so that the vehicle was permanently attached to the deck and they were printed as one unit. So if someone finds that please let me know. A vehicle could be glued just using it's tire/wheels but if it was part of the deck that would be best since you will be pushing it back and forth. I've also updated the decks with the objects to a better design and you can find that info here... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/3D-Printer-Index.html BTW Stephane you are responsible for me getting the 3D printer. When you helped Joe out with his bridge and I saw what you could do with one I finally took the big step and got one. This also pushed me to learning Fusion 360 (well learning it a little bit ). Thanks for the push as I'm really enjoying it all. Sumner
Ok I came up with a 50's White Fuel truck as a vehicle to use and posted about it on here... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/3D-Printer-Index.html I'll work on a version that mounts on a deck for use on top of the switch machine soon, so check back. Also I now have over 20 objects that can be printed out on my thingiverse.com account here... https://www.thingiverse.com/Sumner/designs Sumner
I worked on the looks of the truck some and ... ... you can print it out now as a stand alone like above or.. ... where you can mount it to a deck that fits on top of the switch machine and you push and pull it to throw the turnout and the slide switch for the correct frog polarity. Both versions at the bottom of the menu here .... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/3D-Printer-Index.html Sumner
I painted one up today. First model I've painted in 60+ years so go easy on me . A few more pictures here and also a link to the files on Thingiverse in case someone wants to print one. There is a version that doesn't mount on the switch machine and I've also completed one with a 3 foot shorter wheelbase. Sumner
I've added 3 ft X 8 ft concrete culverts.... ... that can be printed as standalone objects ... either singularly, as a pair on a rack or a stack of three or... ... as an object on the switch machine ... ... that you push to throw the turnout and the electrical switch for frog polarity... .. info and pictures here .... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/page-11.html The files to print the above are on my thingiverse.com account here ... https://www.thingiverse.com/Sumner/designs Sumner
The NEON's N scale train club in Tulsa Oklahomai file off the ribs on top of the switch and paint it to look like an electrical relay box. Joe
