Author Topic: 1/60th scale 3D printed Crawler (Read 14790 times)

George B · « **on:** 10/01/2022 07:55 pm »

Hello everyone,

Years ago I built card models, I no longer have the patience to build them so I’ve made the switch to 3D printing.

I’d like to share with you my latest build, a 1/60th scale Crawler (Apollo Era). This is actually my second one which has undergone many design changes.

I started with designing the bottom frame and floor.

George B · « **Reply #1 on:** 10/01/2022 07:55 pm »

The corner structures dry fitted to the floor frame.

George B · « **Reply #2 on:** 10/01/2022 07:56 pm »

Adding the end structures.

George B · « **Reply #3 on:** 10/01/2022 07:57 pm »

I decided to add the X bracing for the end structures.

George B · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/01/2022 07:57 pm »

Here are the fuel tank and Apollo era fans.

George B · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/01/2022 07:58 pm »

Some of the fuel tank details.

George B · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/01/2022 07:58 pm »

I made several different cabs like the Apollo Era, and Shuttle/modern era.

George B · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/01/2022 07:59 pm »

Propel Motors R Us, we take trade-ins and have attractive finance terms.

George B · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/01/2022 08:00 pm »

Here's my attempt at the Apollo Era Brake Calipers.

George B · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/01/2022 08:00 pm »

While I was at it I also designed the modern Twiflex version.

George B · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/01/2022 08:01 pm »

The interior was another area that took some research to design. I designed the Alco 251 and White Superior Gen Sets, again in keeping with the Apollo era.

George B · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/01/2022 08:02 pm »

Here are some of the truck parts going together.

George B · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/01/2022 08:02 pm »

136 rollers later and the trucks are complete.

George B · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/01/2022 08:03 pm »

The track sets are printed in place with live hinges which are broken free after printing, all that’s required to assemble them are two metal pins per set.

George B · « **Reply #14 on:** 10/01/2022 08:04 pm »

The walkways for corners A-C are printed in one piece, with the remaining corners and sides separate pieces.

George B · « **Reply #15 on:** 10/01/2022 08:04 pm »

After the walkways are printed the yellow railings are added.

George B · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/01/2022 08:06 pm »

And lastly, I'm currently working on side 3 of the walkway and stairs leading up to the MLP.

Metalskin · « **Reply #17 on:** 10/01/2022 10:57 pm »

Looking really nice! and I mean really really nice. I stopped 3d printing because I was disappointed with the finish for small features and considered resin but didn't have the space to handle the fumes. Very impressed with the detail you are getting and how nice the finish is.

Do you mind if I ask what 3d printer setup you are using and how long the printing has taken so far (including printing, tweaking design and reprinting)?

Also do you do any post processing to make it smooth?

George B · « **Reply #18 on:** 10/01/2022 11:47 pm »

Quote from: Metalskin on 10/01/2022 10:57 pm

Looking really nice! and I mean really really nice. I stopped 3d printing because I was disappointed with the finish for small features and considered resin but didn't have the space to handle the fumes. Very impressed with the detail you are getting and how nice the finish is.

Thank you

I decided against resin also because of the smell and cleanup required, not to mention the smaller build volume.

Quote from: Metalskin on 10/01/2022 10:57 pm

Do you mind if I ask what 3d printer setup you are using and how long the printing has taken so far (including printing, tweaking design and reprinting)?

Not at all,.....I have a couple of Ender 3 V2's printing at .12 using a .4 nozzle. I've been working on this particular Crawler for about a month now. I printed my first Crawler with a darker gray filament and it just looked too dark for my liking so I started all over again, but that gave me the opportunity to make some design improvements.

Quote from: Metalskin on 10/01/2022 10:57 pm

Also do you do any post processing to make it smooth?

No, what you see is right off the printer. The tracks required a bit of cleaning using a wire brush to knock off some excess filament but that's all.

AS_501 · « **Reply #19 on:** 10/02/2022 01:10 am »

Very nice workmanship. I like the "rusty: crawler cleats!