I guess my point is being lost on most...oh well...on to bigger and better things...I'm gonna go run some trains !!!...lol
Lets keep personal comments out of this thread, please! It is an interesting discussion, with many valid viewpoints.
Oh sure...figures. The minute I decide to go run trains and slip my shoes on...a storm moves in with thunder and lightening ! One of our dogs even dived under my desk. Cant win for losing...LOL.
Best post yet! I know I would be better off in many ways by replacing the 1-2 hours a week I spend on model railroad forums and running some trains. I am actually off to add a few tracks to my yard tonight, and may run a few trains for my granddaughter. I am getting ready to host my first op session in a month as part of a big DFW one day event......and of course, you can never have enough yard tracks to hold all that good stuff you buy. Have fun!
See my comments about 3D printing here: N Scale: Now vs. Then 3D printing only gets you to the undecorated model stage. What's your strategy for finishing the model. Are you prepared to paint and decal every model? If so, will that solution fly for the other ~99% of us? Paint and decals are getting harder to come by with each passing day. Is that trend likely to suddenly reverse itself?
Why would a company making items with 3D printers, not paint and decal the same as a company making models with mold injection?
Have you seen anyone offer "factory" painted/lettered 3D printed models to order? All I've seen, so far, are undec shells. Are there 3D printers that can also paint and letter? If the 3D models are going to made "on demand" - instead of in a larger run based upon pre-orders - are the manufacturers going to be willing and able to paint/letter these models on an individual basis, and at what cost?
I'm trying to project in the future, not look at what has been offered so far. Yeah, it might never develop, but I wouldn't count it out. But, there would have to be some advances in the basic painting process, and I hadn't considered that. It reminds me of another discussion I had with a rep at the National show at some point. He said that the print pads wear out after X printings. So I asked what happened if they had 50 more units pre-ordered than the typical paint run. He said they would only paint X for that small amount, and someone would be shorted. I can see it. IF the set up cost is Y to make say, 1000 units, its hard to spread that set up cost out over just 50. Plus, as noted here, how do they know how many pre orders will actually cancel for various reasons.
A possible vendor/manufacturer solution to the pre-order problem: What if a manufacturer announced a product with specific details and a to-your-layout release date of a year and a half. The vendor, LHS Hobby Shop took your credit card for a preorder. But the catch is that every three months, the LHS would get in touch (however that may be) and asks you if you are still interested in your preorder. A yes continues for the next three months and a no cancels and shreds the credit card info. A lack of response also shreds the info. Three months before the production date is the final offer. You cannot renew after that. If the response is in before the production date and is affirmative, then the unit is made and shipped. If not, it is not made and the order is cancelled. This way the manufacturers have a "fluid" demand structure that only is completed if the buyer shows complete and continuous interest. This would help in the case of lengthy delays and other issues such as insecure transactions that we have today. It also gives the manufacturer a good idea of the interest early and a final number when production begins.
And a bunch of consumers are fine with it. Just because a few people are afraid a little change doesn't make it bad. I have no credit cards, only check cards, and I have great fraud protection. I deal with reputable dealers and have no problems with pre-orders. If you are afraid of a hack or some other deviant thing, you had better go hide in the mountains, because if they can get into the DOD employee database, your piddly bank account is no challenge at all. To quote someone cooler than me: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." I will say it again, this one just doesn't work. It's way too easy for people to just say yes. This method would leave the manufacturer holding the bag because a bunch of armchair collectors say they'll buy 10 of everything and then remember they have to pay rent next week. If you think it will work so well, bank your life savings on it and let me know how you do. It's time to get with the times, we can sit and debate this all day long. These manufacturers are staking their futures on this. All I am hearing here is a longful desire to return to a past that doesn't work anymore. Get over it. You can't get gas for $.25/gallon anymore either, as much as you would like that too.
Yes. Too many ongoing topics, but believe I'd commented on this earlier. 3D is certainly already having an impact on smaller populated scales such as HOn30, TT. As is laser production.
Not a personal attack, I was speaking in general terms. It was not directed to you personally, so don't take it that way.
Wow. This is just a a crazy thread!! Interesting reading, scary and educstional. So, at a glance here is what I am seeing and reading. Just my observation. I'M 1. The hobby is stating to price itself to only those with ample funds. If they want nice detail and quality. Or, they can just keep buying old used equipment with no guarantee. ... 2. To many manufacturers ( I mean the big boys) Will not take many risks anymore. UNLESS they can accrue enough preorders of models that are way overpriced for the average modeller.. ( kato FEF comes to mind) 3. Some how. R &D has become an astronomical expense. With so many good existing mechanisms out there, they keep trying to make better in a down economy. A. Said down economy effects the average modeller to a point he/ she will not preorder. Not when they have no idea where the money is always coming from. B. Perhaps MFGS should reevaluate their method of research. Surely, there is money to be had with less expensive models to support the better quality ones. ( kudos bachman) 3. I am not rich. I take offense to someone saying to "stay out of it if you can't afford it." That is a stuck up statement and has no place anywhere in this hobby. I play within my means, as anyone should. And 4... Preorders just plain suck when it comes right down too it. Con Cor. Need I say more? I understand the need for it from the small to intermediate MFGS. But as an independent operator of my own business. If you can't keep 'em happy. You have no need to be in business. I hear from unhappy folks all the time. It's nature. But it seems everything is about greed. Not just to make a living and be happy with ones life. I am getting off the soap box. And will come back in a few days when the insult wears off... Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Like I said...not a problem. Although the word "You" was used alot...which isnt all inclusive but more personal. Its all good...life goes on.
That's the tough thing about typing words out, it's so hard to include tone, and you can't see me talking with my hands, so half my point gets lost.
Not a problem...really. I said just a few post back myself that my point was being lost to some people. Understandable. Most times I think a lot faster then I type...so a lot gets lost in the body of the message and/or translation.
Actually, it appears that some companies are developing 3D printers that can work with silicone rubber, which would suggest that print pads could (one day) be fabricated by that method. Supposedly, Micro-Trains is using a form of inkjet process to decorate some of their cars. So, parts of the painting/lettering process may be falling into place. Maybe we'll eventually be buying models the way you buy smartphone apps. An independent developer creates the computer design files necessary to produce the model. You then order it from a company whose business is to make things - not necessarily just train models - via the 3D process. Order as many or as few as you want, whenever you want, and receive them in matter of days - not weeks or months. No need to pre-order and then wait some indeterminate period to find out if the model will even be made. Of course, this won't be acceptable for those who want to see the finished product before they commit to a purchase.
3D and other capabilities are developing very, very quickly today. What was not happening a short time ago, or even considered "impossible", could even be here within months.
People who think that way have somehow become insulated from reality. The only cure is a very sharp setback in life as a wake up call.
