"Sculptors view - practical to create?" Topic

The practical question is about ability to create the pieces, not the financial feasibility. Here is a link:

link

So, in general – and in 15 mm specifically, can you sculptors create the masters for such items? At the very least, the wheels. But other components as well. I am thinking in terms of a 'toolkit' of parts that can be used to create a variety of such vehicles – not just a one type only. I'm guessing that would be three different sets of wheels (2 small, 2 large per set) and then a couple of boilers and a few other key components like the take-off wheels. And then some other parts. Maybe a base kit with a few optional 'expansion' kits.

Would also like a rough ball park on price to have such created from design to sculpt to master to mold ready for production.

Thank you for your input.

I bet I could laser cut something close to the wheels. Inner wheel with a skin of styrene for the outer edge. Might be a pain in the butt to put together and make the two pieces connect. Might also be too thick in 15mm. How wide are the wheels normally?

3mm thick MDF will be 12" in scale so the wheel would be more like 18" to 24" to look right. sounds a bit big to me.

Don't see why it should be a problem. The N gauge model railway boys have been doing it for decades. There may well be some existing kits for this type of steam engine.
If you are looking for a few items for your own use, then scratch building is feasible, perhaps using existing commercially available parts such as wheels.

Found this:

link

Not 15mm, more like 20mm.

This is TT (approx 1/120 scale so close to "true" 15 mm)

link

CorSecEng – MDF will not give me what I seek. steamingdave47, the first link is actually larger than HO, pretty close to 25 mm (old 25). I do know of the Langley models and might acquire those. I am looking for that "toolkit" approach, though, that provides the core pieces that can be used to build a variety of the images in the link in the OP. However, thanks for the input. And it may well come down to scratch building. Just those wheels are really tough (maybe some small gears for toys?)

Original question still stands. Sculptors?

I have some ideas about these. Email me at highlanderstudios (at) comcast (dot) net if you'd like to discuss them.

Rod

I do a lot of work for the model railway market and recently a very similar kit in 1/150th scale passed through my hands.

I mainly do organic sculpting but I've lathes, milling machines and a laser cutter in my workshop to handle this sort of project, along with the mould making and casting equipment to run off a batch of metal parts

if you want to chat e-mail aidan (at) aidan-campbell (dot) co.uk

There should be no problem sculpting something like that in 15mm.

Getting more detail than you normally see in a 15mm sculpt would take a bit more time to get right, but it could be done. I'm currently sculpting some WW2 weapons in 20mm scale with a considerable amount of detail, it just takes more time and patience.

The materials you want the masters to be sculpted in would also be a factor. If you are going to master these parts in resin you have a wider range of materials to work with.

If you want to talk about this further you can check out my portfolio here:

link

You can message me through that site as well, I check it several times a day.

Thanks for responses. I will be in contact with one or more of the responding sculptors. Busy with a convention just now. And then a work related delay. But I will be in touch.

EMW

I have carefully noted the responses from the sculptors and will be in contact with at least one of you in good time. Have a very large tax bill this month and a couple of other hobby bills to attend to before launching forward more commitments.

Trivial with 3D modeling for such simple shapes.