I know and I was only helping Sean.
Like he needs help??
Blackening day. I think this is all the bits.
The lower left bunch is the brake shoes with their new hanger wires. I was glad to see that the weathering held up to the Jax.
In the upper left is a pile of mini nails, which are the “sequin pins” for the chassis planks. They come as shiney plated steel, and nothing was touching them. But I had a bottle of metal finishing fluid from some ancient project, and that eventually took off the plating. After that, the Jax “steel and iron” blackener did great.
Some parts need another Jax treatment, but mostly they seemed to come out ok.
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Sean, here’s an updated answer. After blackening touchup (maybe), I’ve got part prep to do for the bins (including their feet and doors). Maybe pause to make the decals, not sure. But after that, assembly commences, woo hoo!
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Bin part prep (lots of sanding) and decal-making were done Saturday-Sunday, and bin pre-assembly began.
Two bins had serious flaws that I didn’t notice earlier, but it took all day Sunday to get my printer working again. So now they’re printing ok, and this stack should be done soon.
The bins all need a primer coat, then decals applied, and then weathering. At that point, all the parts and subassemblies should be ready for final assembly (in stages).
Another update. I checked the fit of the bins to the chassis frames, and it was abysmal. There was too much slop – mainly in varying shrinkage / warpage of printed parts, some in frame variance, unintended consequences in a tweak hear or there, etc.
First thing was to replace two overly-thick spacer boards on each frame.
Next was to slightly sand the outer sloped edges of those end supports, in order for the printed bin to fit them. The angle and amount was important, so I lasered a sort of sled to gradually sand them with.
I thought that would be that, but then I discovered there were variances between one foot and another… and I wasn’t wanting to reprint and prep all 64 of those. So I shimmed each one, resulting in all 8 bin-to-frame surfaces finally in contact.
The tags are to keep each bin and frame paired, because they’re no longer interchangeable.
After that, I darkened the frame repairs with the vinegar+iron solution.
Then started painting the bins…
…and staining the frames.
Back on track now, I think. After painting comes decals and weathering the bins.
Cheers,
Cliff
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So the pit falls of stick built remain with the lasered perfection of 3D. Still a great way to go for gotta have one offs. 
You bet Hollywood, pitfalls everywhere. Starting with designer & operator error… 
Got the lettering on. This is cut with Cricut, using vinyl stock which I pre-sanded to take the gloss off and help weathering powder to stick better.
Then add a healthy dose of OCD and we’re there. Or is that here? 
Cheers
N
Basic weathering done on the bin assemblies, enough to look like they’ve been in service awhile.
In theory, this should be the end of part prep and finishes. We’ll see. The next step is assembling the door mechanism parts.
They suck …you need to throw’em away and start over! This time add some detail ok?
The parts went together, yay. But now I know how NOT to put this together. I’d done the chain as the last step, and it was too fussy to deal with. So I’ll pre-make the chain, ring and links, and then install the group. Also forgot to blacken the chain and rings, so that’s what I’m doing now.
This is on both sides, for 14 cars + 2 spare sets.
[edit] So I need to pre-make 30 more of these.
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When do you plan on going back to the job that pays you?
Are you going to add HEP cabling and ditch lites or are you modeling pre steam generator?
You’re right, they kinda do…
The door mech’s are done. The shaft & handle slide out for storage or shipping (as will the brake staff and wheel).
Next is a guzillion nails and NBW’s for the chassis.
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Well, Sean won’t say it but I will. Those door opening chains look like something bondage or S&M enthusiasts would use. They just have a “kinky” look all by themselves. Kinda like when the Gestapo agent unfolded his clothes hanger in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Have fun, David Meashey