About the 3D Slot Forum

[Slot Car Corner]

Whether you already own a 3D printer, are in the market for one, or are just curious about the technology in general, this forum is for you. Many of us on HRW are watching 3D printing from the sidelines hoping someday we'll get a chance to play. Like many new technologies that preceded it, the 3D printing landscape is evolving quickly. With so many 3D printers to choose from, continually improving features, and increasingly attractive pricing, it can be daunting to decide where to start.

While commercially available 3D printed slot car parts have been available for some time, personal 3D printers open up a whole range of new possibilities for slot car racers. If you already own a 3D printer, please tell us about your 3D printer and the types of slot car related prints you do. If you’re so inclined, share your designs for other HRW members to print. If you're in the market for a 3D printer, or just curious about the technology, use this forum ask questions.

In summary, this forum is for slot car racers with an interest in personal 3D printers – it’s a place to learn about the technology, to share information and designs/prints, and to experiment with your wildest ideas.

[Kevan]

3D Forum is almost 2 years old already, HRW quickly responded to requests for this section and has since become THE place for 3D Slot Car and related printing.
Roll on the next 2 years

[HRWForum]

Thank you Kevan. The future of 3D printing within the slot car community, and especially here on HRW, is very bright indeed. We too are very excited to see what the next couple of years brings to 3D printing in general and the HRW 3D Slot Forum.

[chappyman66]

Definitely leading on the 3DP front. Well done HRW.

[Rastas]

Yes, I'll definitely second that, I've learnt so much from the HRW 3D Forum over the last year or so thanks to everyone who has been able to make it work so well! And thanks for the information contained within.
John.

[Barc 1]

It is because of this forum I bought a printer. Exposure to the work of others and then when I got looking at printers, I was actually shocked at how inexpensive they had become. I thought resin printers were still thousands of dollars not hundreds. However resin has its limitations so it wasn’t long until I purchased an FDM printer to go along with my resin printer. So I jumped in and have never looked back. This is my one year anniversary with respect to 3 D printing, and I am now regularly printing complete slot cars with the only purchases being motors and bearings

This intent of this forum has been realized, and many examples of what can be done at home exist here. Slot cars are the perfect subject for 3 D printing. Along with the cars, there are all the scenery items and spectators to print.

My suggestion to people who are interested is to go to Thingiverse, 3d export.com, 3d printable.com or Cults 3D. Here you will find thousands of files for free or reasonably priced. Without files these printers would be useless to me as I don’t have the CAD software or skills to build my own car files. I am a perfect example of a consumer 3D user. Zero CAD experience, but because of the available files and current printer technology, the path to printing has been easy.

[Bal r 14]

Thanks to this forum, I'm pretty sure I will buy an FDM printer for chassis and pods and I really don't want to deal with resin printers or bodies.

[DC_OR]

Thanks to this forum, I'm pretty sure I will buy an FDM printer for chassis and pods and I really don't want to deal with resin printers or bodies.

I've got an FDM printer and while it is great I would encourage you to think about what kinds of prints you want to do. I have found that while I can do smaller items on the FDM (Prusa MK3S) it doesn't end up looking anywhere as good as the ones I've seen done on resin printers. On the other hand, the Prusa has done a great job printing larger prints. Get one of each 😂🤣😂

[Bal r 14]

I only want to be able to make motor pods and some chassis or chassis parts. I have seen FDM printed chassis and pods in images and videos and while they are certainly not pretty, they do appear to be durable. I used to do brass chassis and solder the motors in place back in the 60s. Brass does not have the same energy absorbing properties as plastic, so I would rather not do that again.

[DC_OR]

For those purposes an FDM would definitely do the job. Good luck, I love seeing more people take on 3D printing!

[Barc 1]

A chassis done with PTEG is almost bullet proof. Each printer has its strengths and you will most likely graduate to both. However if all you are interested in is chassis, then The FDM is the place to start. Wheel inserts, wheels, drivers and with the right resin, body shells are mastered on a resin printer

[MrAdept]

I very much enjoy seeing all the other projects - I bought a printer 2 years ago and have a number of projects "almost" done.
Got stuck on the windows!

[chappyman66]

Windows need a vac former, although I use my printer to make the buck since I seldom pull more than a couple sets of windows. I made 8 sets of Mirage glass, though. Worked fine.

And while resin bodies are smoother, you can certainly do bodies on FDM. Different settings, and it's workable.

[MrAdept]

I have a vacformer also but never sure about how long to leave the clear sheet to heat.
Do you print the bucks using an FDM printer?

[Kevan]

You can, and fdm printed bodies take a whole lot more abuse.

It's also easy to smooth them by brushing UV resin on and curing then flatting back with wet&dry and water.

[chappyman66]

MrAdept I leave the sheet until it sags an inch or so. If it goes too much further it thins out and you get odd wrinkles in the surfaces. And yes, I print the bucks using an FDM printer (one design is below). I have learned to insert them just before pulling the vacuum though instead of leaving them to heat under the sheet.....saves warping and straightening.



Kevan yes.....and it appears that brushing Future on will do the same thing so cheap and easy.

[MrAdept]

Is the red part also 3d printed? What layer thickness do you use?
I like the idea of using Future - I have a bottle of it somewhere!