Geoff started with a basic filament printer and was soon experimenting with 7mm cattle (the herd beyond the bridge). He and Stephen were both able to create 3D CAD drawings and so a host of models, accessories, bits and pieces etc., were soon coming off the production line. The downside of filament models is the surface texture, which is finely ridged. The cows all needed to be filed to reduce the effect, but the potential for railway modelling was obvious.
Geoff then moved to a resin printer and things took off. There's a lot to learn to produce good models and Geoff built up the knowledge with every new print. When the Edwards building was designed, standard A4 sheets of plastic corrugated iron were planned, but the resin printer meant homemade cast-iron sheets were possible. An accurate, standard cast-iron sheet was drawn using the manufacturers information, complete with bolts and standard overlap adjustment. 2 x 5mm layers of foamboard formed the base of the building and the CI sheets were glued on. Different sizes and special sheets were a 'doddle'. Then the windows were 3D printed, then the gutters and downpipes. The cottage doors and windows were printed, together with the roof ridge tiles (Stephens favourites). Figures and animals can often be downloaded for free. Pigeons adorn the roofs and rabbits forage in the grass.
Where would be without a 3D printer now?
