This is an experiment to see if I can make a reasonable bridge tie that fits code 250 rail. First test prints going ok, if a bit too long.
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How long is TOO long? I would assume you can make at least 2 per day,(if not, then maybe look for a faster printer?). 2/day gives you 60 per month. Yeah, it’s a real pain to print even one, but maybe it’s not so bad.
Back in the day, I used real wood for mine, but it was a giant pain to hammer in the spikes year after year.
Maybe make one or two masters and use them to cast the rest?
Its not too bad, each tie takes slightly less than an hour, and I can get 34 on the build plate at once.
Given commentary seen about the brittleness of 3D prints and my own experience with them I have to wonder how durable printed crossties would be with current printing materials.
Are there known tests/experiments done to see how well they hold up?
PETG and ASA are both filaments that can be used outdoors. PLA (most common) is not. I will make a handful of the ties in PETG and leave them out over the winter to see how they hold up.
Sounds like a plan.
Other element of question is that even though G scale trains have magnitudes less axle loading and dynamic impact loads than 1:1 scale trains, they do have substantially more than On30 trains and I have to wonder how the printed ties will take the repeated stresses imposed by things like a 12 pound Bachmann Big Hauler or Annie; will they develop stress fractures over time?
send me one and I can have it sun tested by December for you Bob!! I can nail it to the deck of my trailer for even more testing! LOL