Hi all,
I am trying to gauge if there is sufficient interest for me to start printing and selling these burnt or broken down cars in 1/35 (or smaller scale b/c my 3D printer’s platform is not big enough - maybe 1/32) to use in dioramas?
Should I make them available for sale? Would you be willing to pay $15 USD (+ 6 to 10 USD for shipping with the 48 states) per car?
Here are the screenshots of 3D files I have downloaded or purchased for this purpose - of course, the modeler has to improve the look with their modeling skills to look more realistic:
The only issue I can potentially see is painting the interior. If it is printed as one piece, the interior is pretty inaccessible except through the broken windows. If they could be printed as a frame/interior and a separate body shell, that would make painting the interior easier.
Good point, Gino. Depending on the design but most likely, they cannot be printed as a frame and body shell separately. What I can do is slice the top and the bottom in CAD and print them separately as the following to help painting.
If they’re burnt they’re fairly easy to paint inside by just shooting various shades of rust into them. That’s how I’ve done it on a couple of those old Monogram 1/32 scale police cars. The real issue is that if they’re burnt out, the seats will be a metal framework with exposed springs. Some folks may want to just model them shot up without necessarily being burnt up. I think an option to have removable seats would help. The modeler can either install them or add his own framework. The seats can even install through the window in two parts if that makes it easier for you. Burnt door panels are another issue entirely. Most feature sheet metal inner panels with various holes stamped into them. You can see it in the photo below.
About the size, 1/32 is actually slightly bigger than 1/35. I don’t know what size printer you have, but it should be able to do a 1/35 civilian car, especially if you section it for access to the interior.
Ken
OK, folks, helpful feedback but not the answers I had asked for.
The question is are you personally willing to purchase these at the suggested price? Should I make these available for sale?
I am doing a market research type of discussion. If you can stay on the questions asked, that would be more helpful. Thank you.
Useful for Paris street scenes, there always seem to be a few around after displays of public dissatisfaction over… well, pretty much anything…
Cheers,
I think the suggested price is fine, in itself. The question is the quality of the printed items, the models themselves. If interiors are not up to the level of detail needed, or are inaccessible, or other areas are not correct, it may not be worth the price. I think that is what people are looking at, and the reason for the feedback. You could try printing one (I like the “sliced” one) and post some photos of it, then people can see what they actually look like.
Ken
Sounds like there’s enough interest for me to start working on a prototype and get one printed as a sample. The details like more defined panel lines and interior details - seats, springs, etc. can always be improved using my software so the car won’t look like a resin blob. I’ll post some more STL screenshots and a sample print in the near future. Thanks.
Ok James, I’m in. the suggestios are good.Sounds if the tops were seperate like Gino was told would make it easier to paint. but I like the Idea of 1/35 vehicles. Good thinking.
That’s why I’ve decided to invest in this project b/c as a modeler, there are only a very few [modern] 1/35 civilian cars to choose from - whether plastic or resin. With the war in Ukraine, I anticipated more interest in burnt cars if folks want to do dioramas.
Remember folks, I am a modeler like you are. I am only going to make and sell things that I personally would consider as very acceptable and usable for this hobby. I am a rivet counter wannabe. I have a day job and a family to take care of - meaning that there is only a certain number of spare hours per day to work on this. So if I do this, I’m going to make the best use of my time.
I am not some company trying to make a profit. They may not care what modelers say; only make accurate WWII German stuff; or over-charge for some “modern” junk and call it Black or diamond label. I see a gap in the diorama things and will try to cover my cost of resin, while trying to enjoy this hobby. That’s it.
I’m definitely up for several of them, always a few cars laying around, and you can only use the few on the market currently so many times before it looks weird (unless you’re depicting a car dealership). One other thing we could use (well I can’t be the only one) is clear 1000ml and 500mI IV fluid bags - if that’s something you think you can do.
Hi John,
Thank you for your feedback. The fluid bags are easy to 3D print - just need to switch to the clear resin from dyed ones then print. At the same time, I have not had any requests for “clear” items to justify buying a whole bottle of clear resin to print. They’re about $30-40 per bottle so I need to sell at least 30 of them to recover the cost.
I have a day job and a family to take care of - meaning that there is only a certain number of spare hours per day to work on this. So if I do this, I’m going to make the best use of my time.