NZ120 Couplers

Some more work on the couplers for nz120 has resulted in couplers that will hopefully be printable in brass..

The previous test prints in brass were quite successfull all round, some work drilling out the holes with a 0.9mm drill is required however.

"Square Coupler"

"Circular Coupler"

Early print of the coupler attached to a Zp with operating door.

Di, with the brass nz120 coupler has functioned without flaw. 

 

New Design - NZR Couplers for 1:24, 1:48, 1:64 scale

After a few requests regarding making couplers in 1:64, 1:48 & 1:24 scales, I've finally gotten around to this job, and have made them available in plastics, metal plastics & raw brass/bronze.

They can be found at https://www.shapeways.com/shops/kiwitrains?section=NZR+Couplers&s=0

I've gone with 2 designs suited to accommodate a variety of materials. The faces will need sanding down for instance.

"Circular Coupler"

Circular Coupler Set - with Hook

Square Coupler

Square Coupler Set - with Hook

 

NZ120 Zp wagon arrives, with sliding door.

Earlier this week the Zp wagons arrived, the test's in Strong & Flexible Polished once again let me down, the surface is to rough for what i'm after in nz120. The test print in Frosted Detail, showed more promising results, and is displayed below.

After painting I inserted the door, and to my surprise it opens and shuts quite freely. Since 've installed my brass nz120 nzr couplers on a few wagons & loco's I decided this one is no exception. A bit of a fiddly task coupling & uncoupling but that suits my style of operation.
The NZ120 Type 14 brass bogies are from Paul Woods

My next goal for the zp, is to obtain a scale TT "Mini" car, paint it yellow... and create a scene from an iconic nz film "Good bye pork pie"

A fingernail will be enough to pull the door shut,

And a wee movie of it running with the local goods

All things shiny - Printing in Brass

With shapeways making printing in brass a reality some test items were ordered a month ago, and today turning up in the post are side-frames and couplers. With the brain now working overtime with new ideas about printing the detail parts for the steamers. The J & Ja need pony trucks so that will be a focal point to get started, Plastic was never going to really work as the trucks are best heavy! Perhaps all the fittings to the boiler etc as well. 

Taken from shapeways about printing brass (See https://www.shapeways.com/materials/brass) 

Gold Plated Brass and Polished Brass both go through extensive hand polishing to give them a smooth, shiny finish. Polished Brass has a bright yellow coloring and, with 22k plating, Gold Plated models will resemble authentic gold objects. They are both perfect for jewelry and precious objects.

Raw Brass has a rustic matte look, with rough surfaces and some tarnishing (color spots). It is great for antique-looking objects, functional parts, jewelry prototypes, and metal models that you’d like to polish and finish yourself.

Brass models are fabricated using a complex five-step process. First, the model is printed in wax using a specialized high-resolution 3D Printer. It is then put in a container where liquid plaster is poured in around it. Once the plaster sets, the wax is melted out in a furnace, and the remaining plaster becomes the mold. Molten brass is poured into this mold and set to harden. The plaster is broken away, revealing your new product. Raw Brass is briefly tumbled. Polished and Gold Plated Brass are carefully cleaned and hand polished. Gold Plated Brass goes through a final electroplating process for an outside coat of 22k gold. Please be aware that polishing and plating can wear down or fill in very fine details and edges.

Like all brass, our Polished and Raw offerings will tarnish over time and may need to be polished.

The products right after arriving. The gold covered sideframes won't be painted, but glued to a likelike pa-1 chassis truck sides.. after I find one someone may be willing to sell :P

NZ120 DQ/QR Bogie Sides, Printed in Brass - Coated with 22k Gold (HDR)

NZ120 DQ/QR Bogie Sides, Printed in Brass - Coated with 22k Gold (HDR)

NZ120 DC Bogie Sides, Printed in Brass - Polished (HDR)

NZ120 DC Bogie Sides, Printed in Brass - Polished

NZ120 Brass NZR Couplers & the W Wagon (HDR)

NZ120 Brass NZR Couplers & the W Wagon (HDR)

Zm's giving the couplers a go

NZ120 NZR Couplers

Firstly, The W wagons are slowly receiving couplers, I'm trialing scale nzr nz120 scale couplers. To make these work prototypically is certainly a challenge given the size.

NZ 10 cent coin helps illustrate size! 

As you can tell by the pics, my idea of prototypical nzr running with wagons needing to be facing a certain direction is not a big issue, 2 minutes of work if your keen will see them couplers changed. Or an excuse to include a triangle on the layout.
These things are tiny, The example first received from shapeways are printed in FUD, and are surprisingly strong enough for the job. However 2 more sets in brass will soon be arriving following the successful trial period.

Tiny screws are required... from a local jeweller.

Coupler movement is quite free..

Good ol Trackgangs couplers, very reliable and robust!

Ja with posing with W Box wagons