I must say regardless of how this works out your are to be applauded. You are listening to what most of us want and trying, if economically possible, to
provide that product. In a time when few are doing anything your are at least looking for ways to fill this hobby niche and for that salute you! Also your
patience with our questions, concerns and comments is excellent as well. Thank you.
3-D modeling with a laser machine
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 marc33594 |
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Posts: 355 (06/28/09 03:59:39) |
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CombatGroupDynamix |
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Posts: 201 (06/28/09 07:41:03) |
marc33594 wrote:You are welcome! |
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Randy Schuster |
50 cal | ||
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Posts: 788 (06/28/09 11:59:03) |
Just give me a price pre gun and I'll give you a order
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CombatGroupDynamix |
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Posts: 202 (06/28/09 19:15:35) |
Okay, an update on the situation:
I've sold 14 tanks in total to 6 customers. There are request for the unpainted version, and there are request for T34-85 turret for conversion and .5 cal machine gun. This is what I am going to do: I'll make some improvements/fine tuning to the M24 mainly for reinforcement and emphasising the details, then I'll be ordering another batch. I expect the cost from shapeways will be a bit higher than before but I'll still keep the current retail price as further test. I'll also set up a Shapeways shop too so that anybody required the unpainted version can order directly from them. They offer free shipping but a minimum order of US$25, and they take PayPal and CCs. And I don't have to do the painting and pay ebay fees, great! With this batch of tank I'll be building and ordering 0.5 cal machines guns. They will be most likely be 20 guns per set and include a tripot like the one currently on the M24. So if you would like some painted guns, please let me know as soon as possible and I'll get back to you regarding the cost after I uploaded the file to Shapeways. If you would rather paint the guns yourselves, please also let me know so that I don't over ordered. You can then order direct from Shapeways. The same applies to the T-34/85 turrets, it's on my to-do list. I'll keep posting updates here and please spread the word. I think BD's blog did help a lot, thanks. Meanwhile, do you guys know of any free online survey sites that I can set up a survey to gather feedbacks on the M24? Thanks! |
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machinehead |
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Posts: 210 (06/28/09 20:36:08) |
When you have the Shapeways shop set up please post a link here as I would like to order a few of the unpainted M-24s.
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CombatGroupDynamix |
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Posts: 203 (06/28/09 21:26:59) |
machinehead wrote: Yes, I'll do that. |
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Randy Schuster |
50 cal | ||
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Posts: 791 (06/30/09 17:47:36) |
As for me, you can leave them unpainted. i'll just do them in black anyways
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pbhawkin |
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Posts: 26 (07/02/09 20:51:55) |
CGD,
Hi. I just received my M24 today (Australia). I think the level of detail is very good and it looks in proportion (I will leave it to someone else to get the calipers out to confirm it is 1/144). The surface texture would represent rough cast surfaces very well or even Zimmerit. However, I think that it would not be suitable for doing softskin vehicles, halftracks or most AFVs that have plate armour as it is too rough. To some extent this can be hidden or overcome with additional equipment and camouflage (especially German vehicles). Also the texture makes doing certain camouflage (ie as on the French Char as per recent PanzerDepot release) almost impossible as well as weathering techniques like washes. I think by offering unique and not available anywhere else items (or at least ones not easily available ie Atelier Infiniti models) then you can make a market space for this product. You may also want to advertise or but a link up on the TMP (http://theminiaturespage.com/index.mv) website. So for collectors who wish to display them then the texture may be a problem and limiting factor, However, they would be excellant for wargamers. I was looking at this technique to cast the 1/144 planes I currently make in resin. But even though the level of detail is perfect for what I would want the surface texture is just too rough for any aircraft. regards Peter PS any chance of doing the Australian Sentinel tank? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel_tank |
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CombatGroupDynamix |
Australian Sentinel | ||
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Posts: 209 (07/03/09 05:42:04) |
pbhawkin wrote:Hi, Peter, thank you very much for your detailed comments. The Australian Sentinel is certainly an interesting vehicle. If I could find some scaled plans and if you don't mind the surface texture, I certainly would put it in my to-do list. Rather than choosing in the dark what vehicles to do next, I might as well work on those that people have shown interest. |
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pbhawkin |
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Posts: 27 (07/03/09 14:04:13) |
hi,
The Sentinel is unique for a number of reasons but mainly because "The hull was cast as a single piece, as was the turret; a technique not used on the hull of any other tanks of the era". Also with 4 different turrets (2 pdr, 25pdr, 17 pdr and a double 25pdr (test bed)) it makes for some intersting varients. Peter H |
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CombatGroupDynamix |
Sentinal, and M24 feedback | ||
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Posts: 210 (07/03/09 17:05:40) |
pbhawkin wrote:Hi Peter, I managed to locate a scaled drawing of AC1 Sentinal and one for AC3 Scorpion. Looks like the hull is different too. Certainly on my to-do list now, but don't expect it too soon. Meanwhile, the M24 feedback I got so far seems to be not going too well regarding the surface texture of the printing process, something that I feel pretty helpless. CGD |
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Randy Schuster |
What to make | ||
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Posts: 796 (07/04/09 07:35:47) |
Wouldn't it be better to make a M4 body and then see how many different turrets you could make. Also remember that your in a new market and need to push
forward. You need to make items that no one else is making
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CombatGroupDynamix |
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Posts: 211 (07/04/09 07:53:20) |
Randy Schuster wrote:I did want to start with a Firefly with hybrid hull before I settled with the M24. At the moment I haven't started on new models yet but firstly to repairs some details on the M24. I noticed that although the printing process should make the tanks identical, the M24 are actually different in the last batch. Some of them lost the engine hood details. Some have very good engine hood details but they usually are the ones that lost their turret machine gun. I just received a notice from Shapeways that my current non-tank batch failed completely. One item that printed well last time did not work this time. May be the technology is still young. And the surface texture seems to be an issue amount customers. |
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pbhawkin |
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Posts: 28 (07/05/09 01:29:51) |
CGD,
have a look at this company: http://www.printapart.com/technology/limitations.php they seem to offer finer resolution (down to 0.25mm). Peter H |
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CombatGroupDynamix |
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Posts: 212 (07/05/09 05:59:57) |
pbhawkin wrote: Hi Peter, Thanks for the link. Actually Shapeways offers 0.2mm detail resolution, but unfortunately the process give rise to a rough surface. If you look at Printpart's photos, they also have a textured surface. Furthermore, they did not offer instant quotation, free shipping, and the chance for end users to buy direct from them. When I set up shop on Shapeways, you can buy the unpainted models directly from them with free shipping. You can get the models cheaper, and I still can make money without paying eBay fees. YES!! CGD |
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CombatGroupDynamix |
Surface texture | ||
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Posts: 213 (07/05/09 06:21:18) |
Actually Shapeways has another acrylic based material which is smoother than the current Nylon. I've tested a black colored one and indeed it is smoother.
The drawback of the material is than it has a even thicker wall thickness limitation. So the 0.5 cal. machine gun will be as thick as the M24 main gun. And
being an acrylic base material (like those used for clear display boxes), they are brittle and your machine gun probably won't survive your wargame
battles. And it is twice as expensive too.
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Randy Schuster |
50 cal | ||
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Posts: 797 (07/05/09 07:19:57) |
As for me, I don't play wargames! The vehicles I have are all stored in plastic fish box (bait). Tanks like the T-80s that have machine guns are still
stored the same way, without any mount.
I for one collect not in Platoon, Company, Battalion or Regiment, but in Divison and use both 144 and Micro Machines and its mostly in the MM that I want to replace the 50 on these vehicles and to have a Nylon 50 will be up their alley |
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CombatGroupDynamix |
50 cal | ||
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Posts: 214 (07/06/09 06:28:32) |
Hi Randy,
Something for you: 
Around $5 for 24 guns. |
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manycubes |
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Posts: 24 (07/06/09 08:02:33) |
Now that is something I would buy as well and the price is reasonable.
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Randy Schuster |
50 cal | ||
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Posts: 799 (07/06/09 09:24:36) |
I'll take $20.00 worth and you know my PayPal address.
Randy |
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