Thank you for the update, Dave.
I’d agree with the sentiment. It’s still a dilemma and on the tipping point. The resin prints (SLA) for detailed parts are fantastic, but it seems to me that the filament printing whilst good is not economical on a commercial scale. It’s a point I argue many times it has its place but not for everything. Recent experience has been disappointing with filament printing and for the home hobby maker quite expensive when you look at the real cost vs quality.
I’m not so sure, my limited experience with 2mmFs is that mass is everything. For scenery, i.e. anything static then yes to 3D printing but any vehicles, locos, coaches and wagons you really need to make everything as heavy as possible, that isn’t 3D printing. Use it for wax masters but cast brass components are required as much as possible for 2mm.
We use 3D prints for some axleboxes. They are fragile though but once glued in place are OK. We tried 3D prints for some levers on the forthcoming caprotti black 5 kit but they are far too fragile and are being replaced by lost wax brass castings. 3D prints are also excellent for mechanical lubricators as they are easy to drill for the oil pipes.
