JLC GG1 Truck Deterioration

[Rufus T. Firefly]

That's the point. The Hennings solution is not currently available. They did a number of sets, but not nearly enough to cover the entire production run of JLC GG1s.

Non-trivial mold to make. Probably more so to just use successfully.

Glad I'm about 99% done making molds; the 1% is for my own use. Cost of resin and everything has doubled and shipping like-wise.

[bob turner]

I think that is what happened. That, and their expert mold maker figured he was working for $5/hr.

Apparently not all of these JLC GG1 trucks failed. In that long string, a number of folks stated that they saw no damage. Maybe the zinc pest was in only one pour, and it isn't as big a problem as it seemed in 2019.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I think that is what happened. That, and their expert mold maker figured he was working for $5/hr.

Seems likely.

Apparently not all of these JLC GG1 trucks failed. In that long string, a number of folks stated that they saw no damage. Maybe the zinc pest was in only one pour, and it isn't as big a problem as it seemed in 2019.

Different batches of alloy and different QC.

[gregj410]

https://o-gaugeforum.com/thread/13179/e ... on-project

[healey36]

https://o-gaugeforum.com/thread/13179/erecting-shop-tales-harmon-project

I saw this over there and wonder why it took so long. I will say I've had some issues with some small, thin prints warping, but 3D prints in general seem a good solution to this problem, maybe.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

https://o-gaugeforum.com/thread/13179/erecting-shop-tales-harmon-project

I saw this over there and wonder why it took so long. I will say I've had some issues with some small, thin prints warping, but 3D prints in general seem a good solution to this problem, maybe.

I do wonder about the longer term stability of resin prints. I guess if there's little physical stress or temperature variance that they might be good. But the history of resin casting (not printing) is resplendent with examples of what were perfectly flat and straight parts when put into the box years later being found to be significantly warped. I have also been told that some of the 3D printed O scale bodies for cars and others stuff has turned very brittle over time. It may all be resident in the types of resin printed or cast. Let's see where these go over time.

[bob turner]

Another hobbyist bought a JLC GG1 on eBay, and upon unpacking the truck side frames disintegrated. OGR post.

I see these things - only out of the box for photos - $750. Is that what they are worth with crumbled side frames?
I am ready to restore one with beautiful lost wax castings, but not ready to invest quite that heavily.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Another hobbyist bought a JLC GG1 on eBay, and upon unpacking the truck side frames disintegrated. OGR post.

I see these things - only out of the box for photos - $750. Is that what they are worth with crumbled side frames?

If you can sell it for that much, it was worth it to the buyer, The seller was a Ferengi!

I am ready to restore one with beautiful lost wax castings, but not ready to invest quite that heavily.

And if you did not have the castings to replace the side frames, what would you pay for one of these?

[bob turner]

Nothing. It would be worthless to me.
As it is, with no shortage of really nice bronze GG1s around here, a good JLC body with pantographs - I would give a hundred bucks.
I think I can afford to wait.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Nothing. It would be worthless to me.
As it is, with no shortage of really nice bronze GG1s around here, a good JLC body with pantographs - I would give a hundred bucks.
I think I can afford to wait.

The pantographs might be worth something,

[Norton]

Pretty sure someone is 3D printing these now. Posted on OGR though may be harder to search for now. I have seen photos and they appear to have good detail.

Pete

[bob turner]

I saw that. And Hennings is going to do another production run of urethane side frames.

I never buy stuff to resell - and I amnot desperate for a die cast GG1.

Now if they made a die cast PA or E7 I might be tempted. Maybe.

[bob turner]

By the way, my dentist buddy has a scanner that is accurate enough that he no longer has to stick that giant tray of wax in one's mouth to get an accurate tooth shape. I have no doubt that it could scan a casting with the same accuracy. The question is only cost, and the availability of a metal 3D printer.

My theory is that ultimately this will happen even on the level of toy trains, and JLC GG1 owners will have good all metal models.

By the way, we were ready to provide lost wax sideframes in lifetime brass, but the interest went away when Hennings produced the urethane parts.
I probably posted that earlier in this thread, but figured it was worth repeating.

[bob turner]

I just checked. It is all on page 1 of this thread.

Seven years ago they "solved" it with urethanes from Hennings. Now apparently an outfit in Wisconsin -

The vision line sounds doable and i guess i can understand the elongation of the screw hole when i see it?

Summerville Trains in Butler WI i've been told has laser printed trucks.

That is from a new thread on OGR - might check it out if you have access - I suppose I would assume laser printed = plastic?
Sommerfeld's Trains & Hobbies
http://sommerfelds.com
5/5 (13 reviews) · Retail in Butler, WI
12620 W Hampton Ave, Butler, WI 53007
Open · Closes 5 PM · More hours
(262) 783-7797

[Rufus T. Firefly]

By the way, my dentist buddy has a scanner that is accurate enough that he no longer has to stick that giant tray of wax in one's mouth to get an accurate tooth shape. I have no doubt that it could scan a casting with the same accuracy. The question is only cost, and the availability of a metal 3D printer.

Mine as well has moved forward from the wax or "blue goo" that they used to use to take impressions; now it's all scan and 3D print crowns for teeth.

My theory is that ultimately this will happen even on the level of toy trains, and JLC GG1 owners will have good all metal models.

Price will have to come down a lot; I can visualize a time when everyone has a "printer" in their home and access to files, etc. for a cost to download and use x many times.

By the way, we were ready to provide lost wax sideframes in lifetime brass, but the interest went away when Hennings produced the urethane parts.

Urethane would need brass or metal bearing of some sort and over time questions about stability would remain. Maybe a metal filled urethane would work.