Monorail Sets? (not sure where to post (as usual))

nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm hitting a rather curious moment here, and I'm wondering the responses I'll get!

A little back story, I have just purchased my FIRST MONORAIL from Ebay!! Now, obviously it's been used etc etc, BUT, It got me to thinking... Disney's only released about what, 8 colors? I want all 12-17 looks?

Soooo, I'm contemplating getting the monorail and either (making a mold of the shells) make my own, or (purchase a ton off ebay) paint them for each color and wrap (should I get into the wraps anyways...)

So my question is, obviously people have done mods (such as Monorail Silver's/Michael Andrews) for drive, audio, rc, but, do you think it's possible to make a mold of a train, and make your own given that you're NOT SELLING THEM FOR PERSONAL GAIN??

I DO NOT intend to sell them. If I'm going through this work to create the whole fleet, I'm doing it for me! Plus, I could make one extra car for each train, LOL!!!

So is it possible do you think??
 
Tom

Tom

Beta Return
Yeah, you can do whatever you want as long as it's just a hobby and there's no commercial gain.

Are you talking about the electric toy monorails they sell at the gift shops, or what?
 
nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I guess the question I'm more or less asking, is IS IT POSSIBLE to make a mold of this train and make your own? Cuz tbh IDK how... XD I mean I have an idea, but yanno.
 
nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
lazyboy97o said:
If you don't know how to make plastic parts then just re-painting a fleet is probably going to be a lot easier than mastering a new craft.
Click to expand...

Ergh... I'm hoping to get more, or just make some, simply because the only sets (without doors) are on ebay.
 
nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Daniel Johnson said:
Could you 3-D print a monorail train? I mean, it isn't going to be as cost effective as making a plaster mold, or even making a plaster mold. But it would be simple and effective, easy to customize. And it would be extremely unique.
Click to expand...
Honestly, I'm not even sure where I could have that done, or if it could read the inside as hollow... Hmm...
 
Daniel Johnson

Daniel Johnson

Well-Known Member
Not sure, the only reason I brought it up is because an old college friend sent me video of him making parts for an old vintage model car he had a while back. He makes mother board frames for his job, so it was pretty much a "research" right off for him to get a 3-d printer.
I don't even know if you can find one just to rent the time and materials to do such a project.
I don't think it would be hollow though. From the looks of them, they take a solid material and carve out the parameters inputted.

Interesting idea to make your own though...
 
Monorail Mike

Monorail Mike

Well-Known Member
nace888 said:
So my question is, obviously people have done mods (such as Monorail Silver's/Michael Andrews) for drive, audio, rc,
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for the shout out!

The real questions as you approach a project like this is, how much do you want to invest and what are your goals? I've looked into this a bit, so here are some ideas.
Would you like your own fleet of realistic and drive-able trains, say at 1/10 scale (20 feet long) or is the goal for a static display?
3D printing is great and all, but you need a perfect CAD model to start off. Parts can also be CNC cut from ABS plastic from a less-precise CAD model and detailed/finished by hand. This would probably be the most cost effective way to get a smooth exterior surface for painting/wrapping.
The purists will also tell you that the scaling on the toy is incorrect. Each car should be like 2-3X longer for the right proportions.
Is this the kind of info you're looking for?
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Daniel Johnson said:
Could you 3-D print a monorail train? I mean, it isn't going to be as cost effective as making a plaster mold, or even making a plaster mold. But it would be simple and effective, easy to customize. And it would be extremely unique.
Click to expand...
A hollow model can be printed, but the thinness if the plastic would require a very high quality (expensive) printer. An equally high quality 3D model would also be needed.
 
nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Monorail Mike said:
Hey, thanks for the shout out!

The real questions as you approach a project like this is, how much do you want to invest and what are your goals? I've looked into this a bit, so here are some ideas.
Would you like your own fleet of realistic and drive-able trains, say at 1/10 scale (20 feet long) or is the goal for a static display?
3D printing is great and all, but you need a perfect CAD model to start off. Parts can also be CNC cut from ABS plastic from a less-precise CAD model and detailed/finished by hand. This would probably be the most cost effective way to get a smooth exterior surface for painting/wrapping.
The purists will also tell you that the scaling on the toy is incorrect. Each car should be like 2-3X longer for the right proportions.
Is this the kind of info you're looking for?
Click to expand...

THAT WAS YOU?!? OMG!! I wish the site didn't go down, I was gonna see about uprgrades etc, LOL I'm more or less trying to figure out the cost effective way to have my full fleet. While I understand that the cars should be 2x longer, it really doesn't bother me, as I'm happy I have a full (well 5 car) train, and I'd like all the rest, LOL!

landauh said:
Many modelers, including myself, use Alumilite (Google it) to make copies of parts.
Click to expand...

I'll look into it! Is it useful?

lazyboy97o said:
A hollow model can be printed, but the thinness if the plastic would require a very high quality (expensive) printer. An equally high quality 3D model would also be needed.
Click to expand...

Oof, I'm not sure where to find it, XD
 
landauh

landauh

Active Member
nace888 said:
I'll look into it! Is it useful?
Click to expand...

There are different types of molding materials as well as different types of plastic to make the parts. It is easy to learn how (the web site has many videos) and I have had no problems making small and large parts.
 
nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Monorail Mike said:
Hey, thanks for the shout out!

The real questions as you approach a project like this is, how much do you want to invest and what are your goals? I've looked into this a bit, so here are some ideas.
Would you like your own fleet of realistic and drive-able trains, say at 1/10 scale (20 feet long) or is the goal for a static display?
3D printing is great and all, but you need a perfect CAD model to start off. Parts can also be CNC cut from ABS plastic from a less-precise CAD model and detailed/finished by hand. This would probably be the most cost effective way to get a smooth exterior surface for painting/wrapping.
The purists will also tell you that the scaling on the toy is incorrect. Each car should be like 2-3X longer for the right proportions.
Is this the kind of info you're looking for?
Click to expand...
Oh, speaking of which, do you have any videos of your set? I loved the couple of clips of the trains in a travel and holding pattern. XD
 
nace888

nace888

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
landauh said:
There are different types of molding materials as well as different types of plastic to make the parts. It is easy to learn how (the web site has many videos) and I have had no problems making small and large parts.
Click to expand...
Double post, sorry, And maybe I could find something... Not quite sure yet.
 
Monorail Mike

Monorail Mike

Well-Known Member
nace888 said:
THAT WAS YOU?!? OMG!! I wish the site didn't go down, I was gonna see about uprgrades etc, LOL I'm more or less trying to figure out the cost effective way to have my full fleet. While I understand that the cars should be 2x longer, it really doesn't bother me, as I'm happy I have a full (well 5 car) train, and I'd like all the rest, LOL!
Click to expand...

Yep, it's me. I had step away from the business last year due to the birth of a future monorail pilot who now crawls around the house and basically takes up all my free time.

Here's a video made by one my customers that shows a two train operation.

The associated website is: http://www.mylazyafternoon.com

The most cost effective way to build up a fleet is to buy incomplete or broken sets off eBay and mix and match the parts!

@landauh do you use a pressure/vacuum chamber when casting parts from alumilite and how do you handle undercuts?
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom