Any tips on 3D printing train parts?

[Carefree_Dude]

I recently got a 3d printer, and still trying to learn how to properly use the things. I'm interested in printing some train parts though, such as drivers and rods. Are there files for these around anywhere to download? Any general tips on being successful at printing these? 

 

[dr_spock]

You can find files on places like Thingiverse.com.  Search on LEGO train.  Every printer and plastic filament is a bit different.  It'll take some trial and error to find the best settings for your slicer.  Happy printing. 

[M_slug357]

@dr_spock What's a good introductory printer? My CAD abilities are rusty tbh...

[idlemarvel]

I can thoroughly recommend Flashforge Adventurer as an introductory printer. I got a Adventurer 3 Lite as my first printer. Enclosed print space, heated bed, excellent support, very good slicing software, works out of the box. Currently under £200 on Amazon.  For 3D design I use Tinkercad which is free to use web based software.

[JopieK]

I would start off with Tinkercad.Don't rush to the result, experiment: get to know the materials and equipment as @dr_spock already said: trial and error.  ASA is hard to print but will be also be most like LEGO (which is made from ABS, at least for most parts). In the end you will get the best / most accurate results with a resin printer, but for driving rods etc a PLA printer would also be fine.

[Carefree_Dude]

7 hours ago, idlemarvel said:

I can thoroughly recommend Flashforge Adventurer as an introductory printer. I got a Adventurer 3 Lite as my first printer. Enclosed print space, heated bed, excellent support, very good slicing software, works out of the box. Currently under £200 on Amazon.  For 3D design I use Tinkercad which is free to use web based software.

The flashforge adventurer 3 is what I've got! Found it at a yardsale really cheaply. 

I have so much to learn in this space. I did however print off a single train wheel using the only filament I had. It turned out pretty decently! It took almost an hour to print it though so i'm not sure if that is normal or not. 

I've got a lot of learning to do, im sure there is tons to learn about materials, different settings, and I think nozzle sizes? 

Here is the wheel I printed. 

 

[idlemarvel]

That's pretty amazing for your first print!  An hour to print seems about right, maybe a bit longer than I would have expected.  Is that with PLA?  Your printer can handle ABS but I've never tried it.  The default nozzle size of the default print head (0.4mm) has been good enough for all my printing so far. You can get a 0.3mm / 240 C print head if you think you need one.  The slicer settings are probably more important to get the print resolution you need, but the defaults of the FlashPrint slicer seem to do a good job - I just turn off the the raft and leave the rest.  Sometimes I turn Ironing on (Advanced Settings) to get a better flat finish on the top layer.  If you plan to do a lot of printing you will need a replacement print head at some point.

[Gioppa]

Hey a Flsun Sr here, my first printer is a delta and is very easy to use, as somebody tell before, the slicer parmeter is what you need to Combine in the best way.

When i find the big big boy wheels i try to print, for now i have made for a friend(he give me the drawing)the wheel for the A-team car.. don't know the scale but it fit perfect with lego tire.