Brass Signal Update

I have almost finished the brass 23 foot lower quadrant timber post and 23 foot lower quadrant steel post signals, only requiring the 'glass' spectacles to be added with Krystal Klear and Tamiya clear tinted paints. If ordering these brass signals a White Strong and Flexible (WSF) base mechanism and a ladder need to be ordered to complete them. The platform safety rails are to be made from 0.015 inch phosphor bronze or brass wire.

Current total prices including the extra parts are about AU$80 for the timber post signal and AU$74 for the steel post signal. Prices of taller, shorter and bracket signals will vary due to the amount of brass involved. These two signals are currently available from my Shapeways Signals Branch shop.

While writing this post I received two emails from Shapeways announcing pricing changes for Frosted Ultra Detail and Raw Brass 3D printing. The changes come into being on 22 May for the Raw Brass and 25 May for the FUD. Apparently smaller brass items will go down in price and larger will go up, of course signals are large!

Of course any FUD items on my shop will change in price as well, which way up or down, I don't know at the moment, the FUD formula is difficult as it involves a calculation on the amount of support material used for each different item and some other factors. I will be informed of the actual price changes for my items on 22 May 2017 for Raw Brass and 25 May 2017 for FUD. Apparently Shapeways will adjust the prices automatically and then I will have to review and adjust prices accordingly,

I have used the supplied formula to calculate the new Raw Brass prices and they are:

23 ft LQ Timber Post Signal - Approx. AU$87
23 ft LQ Steel Post Signal - Approx. AU$80

Be aware that the prices on the shop are in US dollars.

So if you want to save a bit of money then buy the brass signals now before 22 May 2017.

Annoying!

Werris Creek UP Platforms Bracket Starter Signal

Also just needing the 'glass' added is the Werris Creek UP platforms bracket starter signal, this one was a real challenge! I had previously had it printed in Frosted Ultra Detail (FUD) acrylic material but I felt that it could easily have been broken by a clumsy arm reaching across the layout. The problem was that the upper bracket area is supported on the thinnest part of the tapering post. I then had to re-draw it for brass as the minimum design limits are slightly finer for the FUD material.

This pilot model of a steel bracket signal has the detail parts and signal arms on the dolly posts done in FUD with the posts being 1 mm Albion Alloys brass tubing, 1 mm rod would work equally well. I will be looking at how to print the two dolly posts in brass but the advantage of using the FUD parts and the tubing or rod is that you can decide what those dolly posts are like. Further thought required.

Given the just announced pricing changes from Shapeways, I have not been able to calculate an approximate price as yet because the FUD formula is difficult. The likely price before these changes using the FUD parts but not including the brass rod/tubing was going to be about AU$112.

If you are going to the Modelling the Railways of NSW Convention at Loftus this coming Saturday 20 May 2017 you can see these signals and others as I will be doing a clinic on building my signals.

Anyway, here are the signals, price changes aside I am very happy with them.

23 ft Lower Quadrant Timber Post Signal - Brass

23 ft Lower Quadrant Steel Post Signal - Brass

Werris Creek UP Platforms Bracket Signal - Brass