We seem to be losing resin manufacturers at an alarming rate.

[Rob Hall]

One caster niche that I do miss are the chromed original kit reproduction parts that the Modelhaus did so well...their wheel covers, bumpers, etc were very nice to have available for restoring vintage kits and promos. No one else is really in that niche... 

[Ace-Garageguy]

27 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

One caster niche that I do miss are the chromed original kit reproduction parts that the Modelhaus did so well...their wheel covers, bumpers, etc were very nice to have available for restoring vintage kits and promos. No one else is really in that niche... 

Good point.

And does anyone happen to know if there's anyone still doing vacuum-metalizing "chrome" for model car parts?

[Texas_3D_Customs]

37 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I guess I should clarify somewhat that I'm more concerned about losing availability of certain products than I am about losing casters per se.

Lets take R&M for instance. His product line caters in large part to "traditional" rod and custom builders, and the quality and resolution of his parts is second to none.

Frankly, I've seen very few printed parts that match the fine surface finish of R&M's offerings. Some, but certainly not all 3D commercially-available parts match his surface quality. Casey's (Forward Resin) parts, also primarily focused on earlier wheel designs, have exceptionally fine surface finish too.

If we were to lose just these two small manufacturers entirely, many trad builders would be screwed. It's kinda doubtful anyone doing 3D would pick up their entire old-school lines and maintain availability of this stuff. And even if they did, it's likely surface finish wouldn't be quite what it is now from these two very capable resin casters.

So again, if you want it, buy it now if you can afford it.

I think my surface quality is quite good, I would even say better than most molds. And the level of complex details that are impossible with molding.

[Ace-Garageguy]

11 minutes ago, Texas_3D_Customs said:

I think my surface quality is quite good, I would even say better than most molds. And the level of complex details that are impossible with molding.

Agreed entirely, and as soon as I have time, I'll be getting an order in to you.

But you, and a few others, are the exceptions rather than the rule---at the moment.

I've already stated that the absolute best parts I have in my possession, and most of the parts comprising the single best 1/24 scale model I've ever seen, were 3D printed, and I'm fully aware of the possibilities when the printer cares about, and consistently delivers, quality.

[Texas_3D_Customs]

4 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Agreed entirely, and as soon as I have time, I'll be getting an order in to you.

But you, and a few others, are the exceptions rather than the rule---at the moment.

I've already stated that the absolute best parts I have in my possession, and most of the parts comprising the single best 1/24 scale model I've ever seen, were 3D printed, and I'm fully aware of the possibilities when the printer cares about, and consistently delivers, quality.

I can agree with that statement that most are not this good but I think the same thing is true about resin casters there are plenty of them out there that make stuff that for lack of better words is hot garbage and then there are some who are really good The same thing can be said about just any profession there's good plumbers there's good electricians there's good car mechanics there's also ones who are well for lack a better words I wouldn't let them touch my property with a 10-ft pole The issue I have with resin casting is it's kind of like carbureted engines there were some really good ones out there and they're still a niche for them but as a general rule everything's fuel injected it's easier to maintain the proper air fuel ratios it's more efficient I mean direct injections taking over port injection I really think 3D printing is taking over res and casting there might be a few scenarios where resin casting is still more viable and I can think of a couple off the top of my head but as a general rule the niche market of aftermarket is headed to 3D printing

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 minutes ago, Texas_3D_Customs said:

I can agree with that statement that most are not this good but I think the same thing is true about resin casters there are plenty of them out there that make stuff that for lack of better words is hot garbage and then there are some who are really good...

Yup, and the specific two I mentioned above are at the top of their game.

[Calb56]

 

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I guess I should clarify somewhat that I'm more concerned about losing availability of certain products than I am about losing casters per se.

Lets take R&M for instance. His product line caters in large part to "traditional" rod and custom builders, and the quality and resolution of his parts is second to none.

Frankly, I've seen very few printed parts that match the fine surface finish of R&M's offerings. Some, but certainly not all 3D commercially-available parts match his surface quality. Casey's (Forward Resin) parts, also primarily focused on earlier wheel designs, have exceptionally fine surface finish too.

I agree. RMoM for example offers the LaSalle, 49 Merc and 53 Ford pickup transmissions for the flathead... I can't find anybody else that offers anything similar. That's just one category. There's a guy on Shapeways offering a Muncie with a flathead bell housing for almost $13 and VCG is working on a top loader for the flatheads they got from Chris Bolide, which the flatheads look great and it'll be one more option.

Casey at Forward Resin no longer offers his Artillery Wheels because of lack of interest and he does have a beautiful looking set of Spyder Mags but it seems his focus is going towards the modern larger wheels for the most part.

I recognize this hobby is mostly adults and there are fewer of us focused on more traditional builds... hence why Revell has never offered a more traditional option for thir 32's as far as rearends or suspensions. Still, it seems like there is enough interest in "retro" hot rods to warrant a few aftermarket options.

Mapleleaf Modelworks has a few options, I've been communicating with Josh at VCG Resins and I'm hoping he'll be putting out some more options as well. Oh, and I can't forget Jason and his louvered parts or early Halibrands and the items that Ed Fluck Jr still has...

Maybe someday something like this will be available again...

Edited March 15, 2023 by Calb56

[Texas_3D_Customs]

48 minutes ago, Calb56 said:

 

I agree. RMoM for example offers the LaSalle, 49 Merc and 53 Ford pickup transmissions for the flathead... I can't find anybody else that offers anything similar. That's just one category. There's a guy on Shapeways offering a Muncie with a flathead bell housing for almost $13 and VCG is working on a top loader for the flatheads they got from Chris Bolide, which the flatheads look great and it'll be one more option.

Casey at Forward Resin no longer offers his Artillery Wheels because of lack of interest and he does have a beautiful looking set of Spyder Mags but it seems his focus is going towards the modern larger wheels for the most part.

I recognize this hobby is mostly adults and there are fewer of us focused on more traditional builds... hence why Revell has never offered a more traditional option for thir 32's as far as rearends or suspensions. Still, it seems like there is enough interest in "retro" hot rods to warrant a few aftermarket options.

Mapleleaf Modelworks has a few options, I've been communicating with Josh at VCG Resins and I'm hoping he'll be putting out some more options as well. Oh, and I can't forget Jason and his louvered parts or early Halibrands and the items that Ed Fluck Jr still has...

Maybe someday something like this will be available again...

You want more Flathead trannies I can mate my Muncie to it without an issue, I also have in my opinion a great manual already for it, what you won't like is that it will be made to fit my Flathead not a kit engine or someone else's 

Edited March 15, 2023 by Texas_3D_Customs

[Calb56]

9 minutes ago, Texas_3D_Customs said:

You want more Flathead trannies I can mate my Muncie to it without an issue, I also have in my opinion a great manual already for it

Charles, 

I realize I hadn't mentioned your work and though I haven't had an opportunity to buy from you yet, you definitely are bringing a lot of options to the table. You've shown yourself to be responsive to wants mentioned on the board (the 32 Winter grill, which I definitely want and the baja bug transkit and options which you keep putting out for the bug).

You also have a couple of flatheads which look great and a Nailhead. Did I mention the Nailhead? (Lol).

I definitely will need to get one of your flatheads and see if any of my 1/25 speed parts will fit...

Thanks 

[Ace-Garageguy]

18 minutes ago, Texas_3D_Customs said:

You want more Flathead trannies I can mate my Muncie to it without an issue, I also have in my opinion a great manual already for it

The "trick" gearboxes from the wayback flathead days were the 1937 Caddy/LaSalle "top-shift", Buick 40/50 series (cheaper than the LaSalle), and the Packard of about the same time frame.

Adapters from several companies were available to mate them to Ford flathead engines.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[ctruss53]

Less and less people are resin casting parts every year because during the same time, 3D printing becomes easier and easier to do. Printers are getting better, print quality is improving. There really isn't a reason for new people to cast resin when 3D printing is easier to do.

[Texas_3D_Customs]

10 minutes ago, ctruss53 said:

Less and less people are resin casting parts every year because during the same time, 3D printing becomes easier and easier to do. Printers are getting better, print quality is improving. There really isn't a reason for new people to cast resin when 3D printing is easier to do.

The main issue with printing is that it's not as easy as some people lead you to think, at least not with really high quality. As said before there are 100 turds for every vendor that prints good quality much less great quality. Then there are the files, lots of low cost highly low detail inaccurate models out there but very few affordable good quality models. 

[Texas_3D_Customs]

1 hour ago, Calb56 said:

 

I agree. RMoM for example offers the LaSalle, 49 Merc and 53 Ford pickup transmissions for the flathead... I can't find anybody else that offers anything similar. That's just one category. There's a guy on Shapeways offering a Muncie with a flathead bell housing for almost $13 and VCG is working on a top loader for the flatheads they got from Chris Bolide, which the flatheads look great and it'll be one more option.

Casey at Forward Resin no longer offers his Artillery Wheels because of lack of interest and he does have a beautiful looking set of Spyder Mags but it seems his focus is going towards the modern larger wheels for the most part.

I recognize this hobby is mostly adults and there are fewer of us focused on more traditional builds... hence why Revell has never offered a more traditional option for thir 32's as far as rearends or suspensions. Still, it seems like there is enough interest in "retro" hot rods to warrant a few aftermarket options.

Mapleleaf Modelworks has a few options, I've been communicating with Josh at VCG Resins and I'm hoping he'll be putting out some more options as well. Oh, and I can't forget Jason and his louvered parts or early Halibrands and the items that Ed Fluck Jr still has...

Maybe someday something like this will be available again...

So I have said this before and will say again, I can scan and reproduce any of these items, the only requirement is that the company is either out of business or is no longer making them and gives me the go ahead.

[Ace-Garageguy]

11 minutes ago, ctruss53 said:

Less and less people are resin casting parts every year because during the same time, 3D printing becomes easier and easier to do. Printers are getting better, print quality is improving. There really isn't a reason for new people to cast resin when 3D printing is easier to do.

I wouldn't agree that it's "easier", as there are several necessary and complex skills involved, each with a learning curve, and lots of stuff that can go wrong while getting up to speed.

There are going to be a number of people who will never be able to master 3D printing, just as there are folks who've tried to cast resin parts and failed.

[Texas_3D_Customs]

1 minute ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I wouldn't agree that it's "easier", as there are several necessary and complex skills involved, each with a learning curve, and lots of stuff that can go wrong while getting up to speed.

There are going to be a number of people who will never be able to master 3D printing, just as there are folks who've tried to cast resin parts and failed.

Well that's not get confused you are absolutely right It's not like I just started printing yesterday I've been 3D printing probably 7 years now I've been selling for two It's also like resin casting messy stinky and irritate your skin like really irritate your skin Don't want to get it on your eyelids that's horrible and there's a lot of issues but mainly it's the smell and the nastiness of it I was exiled to the garage before I even started selling one resin printer and I was moved to the garage

[thatz4u]

On 3/2/2023 at 1:03 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

All that I can say is that I'm actually quite happy that I'm closer to the end of my modeling career than the beginning.

Call me an old curmudgeon, but I am now, and always will be, an "old school" modeler.

I don't use a lot of PE and almost no billet or brass.

I use very few resin and almost no 3-D printed parts to speak of, and I'm perfectly happy with that.

 

As I see it, 3-D printing is quickly beginning to crowd out resin, and I can see a future where it could eventually do the same to styrene kits as we know them.

I have no ability or desire to leap into entirely new mediums and techniques such as 3-D printing.

Not to say that I might not buy an occasional 3-D printed part, but there's virtually no chance that I'm going to jump into that quagmire with both feet.

 

I understand the "evolution", but I really have no desire to participate in it.

Just put me in a room with my boxes of plastic and Evergreen stock and I'm as happy as a gopher in soft dirt.

I'll leave the high tech stuff to all of you.

 

 

 

 

Steve

 

Yeah Steve, me also...

[peteski]

I agree that for things like engines and similar mechanical parts  contemporary 3D printing beats resin, but I have yet to see a 3D printed car body which would have as smooth of a surface finish as resin cast bodies from good resin casters (like RMCoM or Modelhaus, or few others). Say what you will, the layering i still present on the 3D  printed bodies.  And if you haven't guessed, I do not sand/prime/sand/prime/sand my model bodies. 

I think for te best of both worlds it would be nice to have someone 3D print a model car body, and then prep it to be as smooth as styrene bodies, then cast good quality resin copies.

As for the plating service, the only one I know of is Little Motor Kar Company, but who knows how long Dale will keep the business open.  I don't have contact info handy, but it has been posted many times on the forum.  Dale is not good responding to emails. Best to call him on the phone.

[Texas_3D_Customs]

3 minutes ago, peteski said:

I agree that for things like engines and similar mechanical parts  contemporary 3D printing beats resin, but I have yet to see a 3D printed car body which would have as smooth of a surface finish as resin cast bodies from good resin casters (like RMCoM or Modelhaus, or few others). Say what you will, the layering i still present on the 3D  printed bodies.  And if you haven't guessed, I do not sand/prime/sand/prime/sand my model bodies. 

I think for te best of both worlds it would be nice to have someone 3D print a model car body, and then prep it to be as smooth as styrene bodies, then cast good quality resin copies.

As for the plating service, the only one I know of is Little Motor Kar Company, but who knows how long Dale will keep the business open.  I don't have contact info handy, but it has been posted many times on the forum.  Dale is not good responding to emails. Best to call him on the phone.

[Ace-Garageguy]

14 minutes ago, peteski said:

 ...I think for the best of both worlds it would be nice to have someone 3D print a model car body, and then prep it to be as smooth as styrene bodies, then cast good quality resin copies...

Yup, for model car bodies, I agree...and if I were 30 years younger, that's exactly what I'd be working on...though the surface resolution is about there so as to not require any post-processing of a printed master.

The best aftermarket bodies I have are resin copies of rare annuals, and the best of the best are indistinguishable from glossy injection-molded styrene, other than their solvent resistance.

Resin-casting a car body in a "squish" mold is much faster than printing, and there's only flash cleanup required.

On the other hand, I have a lot of half-azzed resin bodies where people used idiot trash like talcum powder for mold release...but when it's the only game in town for a particular subject, you get what you get.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[Texas_3D_Customs]

4 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Yup, for model car bodies, I agree...and if I were 30 years younger, that's exactly what I'd be working on...though the surface resolution is about there so as to not require any post-processing of a printed master.

The best aftermarket bodies I have are resin copies of rare annuals, and the best of the best are indistinguishable from glossy injection-molded styrene, other than their solvent resistance.

Resin-casting a car body in a "squish" mold is much faster than printing, and there's only flash cleanup required.

On the other hand, I have a lot of half-azzed resin bodies where people used idiot trash like talcum powder for mold release...but when it's the only game in town for a particular subject, you get what you get.

Oh absolutely when it comes to time and price molding bodies full bodies is definitely the way to go now body kits or trans kits whatever you want to call them I still think 3D printing is the way to go

[peteski]

Charles, the photos of 3D printed bodies you posted don't convince me. Actually in some of the photos (which with a gray resin don't really show the surface very well) do show some striations and stepped curves.  Evaluating the surface of 3D prints is best done viewed in-person.  I'm not disputing the fact that 3D printing has already revolutionized scale modeling. I agree that it is a game changer. But not (yet) for everything. Hey, we all have our own standards and requirements.

[Texas_3D_Customs]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

Charles, the photos of 3D printed bodies you posted don't convince me. Actually in some of the photos (which with a gray resin don't really show the surface very well) do show some striations and stepped curves.  Evaluating the surface of 3D prints is best done viewed in-person.  I'm not disputing the fact that 3D printing has already revolutionized scale modeling. I agree that it is a game changer. But not (yet) for everything. Hey, we all have our own standards and requirements.

So yes there is some evidence of voxel lines I am not sure what rock layering caused by crystals twinning you are seeing as this is not a rock by any means. You love to throw that word around but that's a really bad way to talk about voxel artifacts. I agree bodies are not the best to do with a printer and if you go to my sight guess what I don't sell them.

[stitchdup]

For me the main advantage of 3d printing isn't really the quality but the variety. I've spent most of today playing with a vw saveiro g3 pick up, which was never going to be done in plastic or resin by anyone except possibly in south america and since i dont speak or read spanish the chances of me getting one would be slim to none. I spent 2 years hunting for a tempo matador truck and thanks to 3d printing i now have it. Sure the savairo needed a lot of mold lines smoothed down but it was scaled up to 1/24 from a 1/32 slot car so i expected that. I've got plenty more vw group cars to build now some that just need a couple of coats of filler primer and some that need a bit more work but i enjoy that bit, and many more lined up to print and probably 95% of them would never have been done in resin or plastic and its all down to 3d printing. 

[peteski]

2 hours ago, Texas_3D_Customs said:

So yes there is some evidence of voxel lines I am not sure what rock layering caused by crystals twinning you are seeing as this is not a rock by any means. You love to throw that word around but that's a really bad way to talk about voxel artifacts. I agree bodies are not the best to do with a printer and if you go to my sight guess what I don't sell them.

Dude, why are you bustin' my chops?! What "word" am I throwing around?  I'm not stupid, but I don't own a 3D printer and I describe things I see using terminology generally used by non-experts.  I call them as I see them. "Voxels"?  "Voxel artifacts"? "Rock layering caused by crystals twinning"?  If anything, you are throwing "those" words around.  I ended my post with "Hey, we all have our own standards and requirements". Is that so difficult to comprehend?

[Texas_3D_Customs]

31 minutes ago, peteski said:

Dude, why are you bustin' my chops?! What "word" am I throwing around?  I'm not stupid, but I don't own a 3D printer and I describe things I see using terminology generally used by non-experts.  I call them as I see them. "Voxels"?  "Voxel artifacts"? "Rock layering caused by crystals twinning"?  If anything, you are throwing "those" words around.  I ended my post with "Hey, we all have our own standards and requirements". Is that so difficult to comprehend?

Striations you used a geological specialized term you have used it many times sure I used the term voxels which is not that uncommon of a term a lot more common than Striations. Why am I busting your chops because you seem to always chime in on my comments and make claims you have little to no experience with from my standpoint. Perhaps they are just uninformed. You do also have a way about rubbing people the wrong way.