Jim have you looked into Blender?
https://www.blender.org/
Todd, I agree, DesignSpark is pretty amazing, 2D, 3D, all free... moreJim have you looked into Blender?
https://www.blender.org/
Todd, I agree, DesignSpark is pretty amazing, 2D, 3D, all free, and a fairly high-end platform. I use DS circuit board design, it lets you do your boards (say, a custom board of relays and diodes, or more involved stuff), and export all the "gerber" files needed for having them printed (for super cheap).
John Lenheiser said:
I don't subscribe to any magazines anymore, it's just another thing in the past that is slowly going away. ... moreJohn Lenheiser said:
I don't subscribe to any magazines anymore, it's just another thing in the past that is slowly going away. I do remember when going to the mailbox and getting the new issue, it was a great feeling and I would read it from cover to cover.
trainman
How true. Yep, way back when got LOTS of magazines, but no longer. Technology has pretty much made them obsolete.
Bob,
I don't own a printer, but have associates who do.
I have quite a few bits and pieces printed for me by them.
They have mov... moreBob,
I don't own a printer, but have associates who do.
I have quite a few bits and pieces printed for me by them.
They have moved on from filament printers to resin printers.
The results of the resin types are superior to the filament.
I hope for most of you the shipping on these shippers is much better for you them it is here in the DFW area, or Texas in genera... moreI hope for most of you the shipping on these shippers is much better for you them it is here in the DFW area, or Texas in general. The past big freeze and power outages has pretty much brought shipping to a stop, or weeks to get anything that we normally would get in 3-4 days. I'm now hesitant about purchasing anything on line at this time, because not sure if it will come in the next two weeks, that seems to be the delivery time here. The worst in the USPS, then UPS, and FedEx which has been the best of the three. Good Luck with your carrier getting back to normal delivery times.
I decided that the cleaner should have the ability to shut itself off when not moving or being dragged rather than pushed.
 ... moreI decided that the cleaner should have the ability to shut itself off when not moving or being dragged rather than pushed.
I run Kadee couplers so I made a sliding mount that lets the coupler mover fore/aft abour 1/8". When the cleaner is pushed, the coupler slides forward and a magnet can trigger a reed switch, or it can just push a momentary switch.
When the engine pulls the cleaner back, the Kadee slides back and away from the reed/switch shutting off the cleaner's motor.
If the engine stops, the cleaner pulls itself forward via the the abrasive wheels and shuts itself off.
I made a copper reinforcement and slotted it on the mill. I slotted the trucks just using the drill press and pulling it against the bit as it turns. This allows the coupler to slide back and forth but not up and down while retaining its position.
The Kadee is actually mounted through the slot in the copper (and plastic) and the existing plastic tab that sticks beyond it is unused, but d... less
Hey Y'all;Just came across this Flickr post via someone sharing it on Tumblr; a little 4 wheel Soo Line caboose with the modelab... moreHey Y'all;Just came across this Flickr post via someone sharing it on Tumblr; a little 4 wheel Soo Line caboose with the modelable features of a "too big for its body" cupola and sliding cupola windows via boxcar door hardware.https://www.flickr.com/photos/barrigerlibrary/50993661758/
Shane Stewart said:
That's cool Dan. Did you know that they are once again owned by CP. I wonder if they'll try to sell them a s... moreShane Stewart said:
That's cool Dan. Did you know that they are once again owned by CP. I wonder if they'll try to sell them a second time. Are you going to make yours out of styrene, or 3D print them? I hope you share some photos.
Yes, I'm aware. In fact I have posted that question on the Eastern Canadian Pacific FB group to get an idea of how much time I have to get good close up shots before they disappear. I'll use the USAT frame as a base. Combination of Styrene or PVC and 3d printed parts. I've been toying around with milling the doors into the long hood with a CNC.
-Dan less
Wow, what an amazingly thorough photo shoot Scott, thanks very much!
The pics bring back memories of the sadness I saw in... moreWow, what an amazingly thorough photo shoot Scott, thanks very much!
The pics bring back memories of the sadness I saw in each vendor and layout team member, as they saw all their hard work and travel expenses go up in smoke. What a surreal event! But they all seemed to keep cool, and take things in stride.
We must have a great hobby, because it sure attracts great people.
Photo borrowed from an auction site "Worthpoint.com"
Think this is what you are curious about Dave, just the emblem on th... more
Photo borrowed from an auction site "Worthpoint.com"
Think this is what you are curious about Dave, just the emblem on their crack lash ups.
I enjoyed the drag and brag. It was fun to see you guys, the projects and hear the jokes. I agree with Bob's ... more I enjoyed the drag and brag. It was fun to see you guys, the projects and hear the jokes. I agree with Bob's suggestions to make it better for the next time.
It was tough to hold my laptop and walk around the big factory because I couldn't see what you guys were seeing but I think you got the idea. The next day my wife got her dining room table back. LOL
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's RR's on zoom this coming Summer. The new factory will be working by then.
If you guys want to see my RR today I have a bunch of videos on Youtube under the name Capecodtraintodd.
Here is the video.
The Mik 2021 factory will be going in at the site that appears on the 7:50 mark and seen again at the 8:26 mark on the left.
Here is part 2 of that day which finishes the plow duties then we take a ride round the RR on the rear platform of the ins... more Here is part 2 of that day which finishes the plow duties then we take a ride round the RR on the rear platform of the inspection vehicle.
Here is a link to an album I put together of photos from the ECLSTS in Maryland last march just before the governor shut i... more Here is a link to an album I put together of photos from the ECLSTS in Maryland last march just before the governor shut it down because of Covid 19.
I have been so busy with the sign busness that this is the first chance to post photos from last march.
Begining of album is the NHGRS and Big Green, second half is photos of other layouts and the dealer hall.
Since my layout is indoors I'm going to add switch lanterns to some of my Bachmann Switch Stands. Only the ones on the mainline ... moreSince my layout is indoors I'm going to add switch lanterns to some of my Bachmann Switch Stands. Only the ones on the mainline will have them, pretty much as the D&RGW Narrow Gauge did back in the day, siding not so much from what I can see from pics. I'm pretty sure I'm going with the Ozark Miniature's ones (#0098), I like there size and just more to my liking. I will also replace the stand post with a brass square hollow tube that will fit into the Bachmann base. These OM lanterns do come with the deflectors, so I will not have the targets on the post with the lanterns. This is just to give the layout some different looks, if all looks the same it takes on the toy like appearance. I will power with one 9v battery for all the lanterns (6-8 total) and will use the 0402 LED'S in the lanterns. so this should work out just fine as I have done this before with other lights. If I was doing this outside I might consider the Aristo-Craft Lanterns as there size would blend into the layout better, where most things ... less
I did a bit of weathering to simulate how it might look after some time out in the cane fields.
I went a bit overboard and toned... moreI did a bit of weathering to simulate how it might look after some time out in the cane fields.
I went a bit overboard and toned it down a few notches but it probably need some more toning down in places.
The grey things on the back buffer beam are "air con" units, they are made out of a couple of Bachmann big hauler oil lanterns with fly wire to simulate the fan grills a piece of balsa is used to highlight the fly wire/screen.
Somebody got to open his presents today...
...which means Tonka Man (Diesel Dan's engineer) and I have a week to find the tech m... moreSomebody got to open his presents today...
...which means Tonka Man (Diesel Dan's engineer) and I have a week to find the tech manual and plot a means to jam that circuit board into Diesel Dan:
I also broke out the bag-o-parts and showed it to Kid-zilla. The horn needs a new "business end," which I think we can craft. That will let us keep the spare PLAYMOBIL truck horn for something else. The signal bell and mount are fine, and most of the ladders seem to be in the bag and in good shape. I kept all the handrails so that I could have patterns for the shapes. I plan to replace them with wire, as I think that will stand up to life on Triple O much better.
We've cleared the picnic table of all other projects. Only routine incantations to resurrect our B'mann railtruck stand between Diesel Dan and his return to the rails!
HI Al,
Thanks for the info. The more I stare at the web picture I have your right, They are tool boxes just made of metal with a... moreHI Al,
Thanks for the info. The more I stare at the web picture I have your right, They are tool boxes just made of metal with a round top. The angle on the picture made it look like two different things. I'm almost done and when I'm finished I try and post some pics. Bachmann was allot closer in the On30 model than the F scale one. I know it was originally a 30 in gauge so maybe they chose to make the tender wider and no smoke box extension to make it a little different in large scale.
Bill
I bought one of the climax locos during trainworlds $199 special. I run track power and soldered in a Phoenix sound system to th... moreI bought one of the climax locos during trainworlds $199 special. I run track power and soldered in a Phoenix sound system to the board shown. I have the plug in board with the wires that I’ll probably never use.
Hi Stanley,
I do have a Connie axle you are welcome to. If you still need it, I can just send it to you in the mail.
Thanks for ... moreHi Stanley,
I do have a Connie axle you are welcome to. If you still need it, I can just send it to you in the mail.
Thanks for the great advice concerning my Connie!
Phil Nymark
Andy Clarke said:
Korm, she does real well understanding what's in my head...
Edited to add: ""If you talk to folks... moreAndy Clarke said:
Korm, she does real well understanding what's in my head...
Edited to add: ""If you talk to folks that know me, they can tell
you that understanding what's in my head is a feat in itself...""
I'm amazed at all the small details that she gets into the paintings...
Although, she also does the wall paintings for her husbands
HO scale layout, among other jobs...
Truly amazing work! You found a gem.
Bob McCown said:
I will be posting the meeting link and meeting code in this thread, and on the event, a few days before the mee... moreBob McCown said:
I will be posting the meeting link and meeting code in this thread, and on the event, a few days before the meeting.
As far as prerequisites, if you havent already, go to https://zoom.us/download, and download, install, and test the software. You want to grab "Zoom Client for Meetings", I believe. Its pretty easy to use.
I'm sure I saw that information here earlier, but now I'm not able to locate it!!!! I don't see it in the event.
EDIT: Never mind - I found it in the Event off the home page. less