Shapeways allows some models to be made that would not otherwise be cost effective.
Models such as the pylon/tower as used in this Junker drilling rig:






Using WSF from shapeways does mean the surface is quite rough, but for things like this I really don’t see that as a problem.
It is durable and cheap, and this is very much not a problem.
The problem is the shipping from Shapeways; it is a bit of a killer for small items.

So I am going to create my own Shapeways products and buy them in myself and hold stock of them at AB HQ.
It also means that I can make kits from them; if you buy from Shapeways you can only get the printed parts.
I will sell kits with metal, printed and resin parts!
That means you can order them direct with all the required bits and not have to pay their crazy shipping costs!

YAY!

First up will be a printed version of the above drilling tower.

Here are some CAD drawings of it, it is 95mm tall.
The tower is WSF from shapeways and the base plate is resin.
The rod is a simple piece of plastic.









It should be about £8.00 retail for all 3 bits.

(Shapeways would normally charge £8.00 shipping on top of this, I will just charge my normal shipping)


What are your thoughts on this idea?

_________________
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/

Hi!

I think it looks very nice AB.

Primarch

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Primarch


The Primarchload
Magnetized Titans Tutorial
Net Epic Gold
Heresy Rules

8 pounds is a lot AB, have you considered filling in the middle so the detail is sitting ontop? Then you can home cast in resin and pay the big product costs 1 time. It doesn't give the desired effect your after i know, but it will also be a lot stronger and will be able to survive to see more battles.

Just a tought,
Blind-

Edit: You could also print in a higher quality material as well since you only need to get 1 copy.

Interesting idea and nice drilling rig too.

_________________
Vanguard Miniatures

Link, http://vanguardminiatures.co.uk/

Stockist of:

Vanguard Miniatures
BattleGroup Helios
Onslaught Miniatures
Pyrkol Gaming Markers
Gregster's Lab
Microworld Games
Troublemaker Games

I like it, and as you say, Shapeways is ridiculously expensive. Consider me tempted.

/Fredmans

It is bonkers postage for what may well be a small item...

@ Blind - I don't want to sell things I would not want to play with. It is one of my main rules for AB.
I would not buy and indeed don't buy solid models of hollow objects (that is the best way I can think to describe it) they just don't look anywhere near as good to me.
I would much rather have something that looks pretty and costs more, than some cheaper thing that looks, well, cheap.




Especially when you would probably only need one of these.
If it was a tank or an infantry figure that people would want loads of then yes, maybe try casting rather than printing.
But this, like flexible roads is the future!

_________________
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/

Flexible roads have been here for ages I like your idea. Go for it

_________________
Shapeways store: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/tinywares

Blogging about 6-15mm wargaming: http://www.lead-space.net

Looks good !

_________________
Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Not sci-fi Hexway roads though.

_________________
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/

! Shhhh and make them available!

_________________
Shapeways store: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/tinywares

Blogging about 6-15mm wargaming: http://www.lead-space.net

Just waiting on the moulds to cure...

_________________
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/

Make it happen faster! No excuses..

_________________
Shapeways store: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/tinywares

Blogging about 6-15mm wargaming: http://www.lead-space.net

_________________
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/

I have ordered a test model of the Shapeways drilling rig.
It will be a 3 part kit.
The Printed WSF rig, a drill shaft (plastic rod) and a drilling plate (resin doo-dad)




Once it is here I will work out a cost and add it to the site as a special order item.
These will only be shipped if I have stock.
I will order them from Shapeways 5 at a time to fulfill orders only.

I am guessing they will be about £7.50 each.
Which when you consider shipping from Shapeways is about £6.50, is a bargain!

_________________
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/

Sounds like a bargain to me, i will probably take one of these of your hands.

_________________
Vanguard Miniatures

Link, http://vanguardminiatures.co.uk/

Stockist of:

Vanguard Miniatures
BattleGroup Helios
Onslaught Miniatures
Pyrkol Gaming Markers
Gregster's Lab
Microworld Games
Troublemaker Games