I'm afraid modern high speed trains are far closer to rocket science than to The Rocket.
Agreed, I would still consider it good modelling mixing 3d prints or 2d etchings for some of the complex shapes that need consistency to look right light the louvres with scratch building the body work.Inconsistent louvres and other details quickly spoil a diesel model even if the shape is right. It would be useful if Evergreen or similar made sheets of various louvre profiles.
Can't agree, in the nicest possible way. Where do you draw the craft skills line? I use a lathe to make accurate turned parts. No craft skill in that is there? Just operating a machine to produce parts. Likewise a milling machine. I could mark out a lot of hole positions by traditional means, centre pop them and drill them with a hand drill. If need a certain degree of accuracy to make a model work acceptably I'll use the best tools and techniques I have available. There's certainly skill to be acquired in the use of machine tools. The objects's still the same: making a model. By extension 3D modelling and prep for printing is similar isn't it? And I'd challenge the view that there's no skill in coming up with an elegant and well worked out parametric model. I enjoy the 'rocket science'. Each to his/her own...Being able to use 3d cad and getting the resulting files printed is not model making. Let’s get back to proper craft skills, it’s not rocket science!
Ian.
..the same basic skills the builders of Rocket had...I’m sure they are inside. However what we as modellers are trying to reproduce is what they look like and that can be done using the same basic skills the builders of Rocket had!
Ian
Don't despair Temeraire (keep fighting) - something will fill the void.
John
Ian
I think you are being unfair on those of us who produce our own etches and 3D prints as if it is somehow cheating. I can also use a lathe and a milling machine but there is no point using the wrong tool for the job. The picture shows the original render of the canopy columns for Love Lane. I think most of could not achieve the result by hand crafting and let alone 11 of them. These were 3D printed and then cast in brass.
The shapes encountered in some diesels present some challenges best addressed in this way. Please don't disparage the efforts of those who use CAD. It may not be traditional, but it is a skill, it does take time to learn and in no way can it be said to give instant gratification.
All that said, I wish I could build locomotives as well as you.
JohnView attachment 84997
Can't agree, in the nicest possible way. Where do you draw the craft skills line? I use a lathe to make accurate turned parts. No craft skill in that is there? Just operating a machine to produce parts. Likewise a milling machine. I could mark out a lot of hole positions by traditional means, centre pop them and drill them with a hand drill. If need a certain degree of accuracy to make a model work acceptably I'll use the best tools and techniques I have available. There's certainly skill to be acquired in the use of machine tools. The objects's still the same: making a model. By extension 3D modelling and prep for printing is similar isn't it? And I'd challenge the view that there's no skill in coming up with an elegant and well worked out parametric model. I enjoy the 'rocket science'. Each to his/her own...