Got an e-mail yesterday saying my shipment was on it's way. Looks like it's going to show up a lot earlier than I thought.
Shapeways Scout/Courier
- Thread starter Andrew Boulton
- Start date
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Yep, I got the first e-mail saying it was shipped with the tracking number on Monday, but then today I got another one saying it was delayed, hung up clearing customs. Sounds like an excuse to justify soaking me for a big brokerage fee. I hope not but I've been stung by couriers on this ploy before. I probably should have said to heck with it when they only offered UPS (it's generally a deal breaker for me) but it's done, we'll see.
spinwardpirate
SOC-13
My dad gave me $50 for my birthday. Maybe I'll spend on it some Shapeways!
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
With luck I'll have a review up next week so you can make an informed decision 
(and depending on that, and I'm just guessing here, there may be an improved v2 available after that if changes are needed)
Unless Spinward Scout beats me to it or you can't wait
(and depending on that, and I'm just guessing here, there may be an improved v2 available after that if changes are needed)Unless Spinward Scout beats me to it or you can't wait
Interesting e-mail I got today. Seems Pay Pal had a problem with my order. Funny thing, tho - I didn't use Pay Pal with that address. I won't be responding to that e-mail.
Keep an eye out for scams.
Keep an eye out for scams.
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
Mine have just been delivered
...to my parents' house, which I can't get to 'cos of the snow
...to my parents' house, which I can't get to 'cos of the snow
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
That's a bit disturbing. Always good advice to stay alert.
Mine have just been delivered
...to my parents' house, which I can't get to 'cos of the snow
Bummer. At least you know they are close...
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spinwardpirate
SOC-13
I can wait. I've waited this long, what's a bit longer. Since I'm not actively running a Traveller campaign at the moment (I'm running a GURPS Infinite Worlds game), I don't have a burning need for it yet. But winter to me always signaled a time to play Traveller, so that may change in a few weeks.With luck I'll have a review up next week so you can make an informed decision
Unless Spinward Scout beats me to it or you can't wait
Got 'Em!
They're here!
Unfortunately, they are too small for my good camera to focus on. Had to use my cell phone. (crappy resolution pictures below)
But that's ok - I'll throw out a review anyway.
First, I have to say that it's really really cool to hold this in my hand after seeing it in pictures since the late 70's. Thanks Andrew for making it. (And thanks to Marc W. Miller for the original inspiration, of course)
1.) The material they use is very interesting. I ordered the white. Almost sounds like a Poker chip when I drop the one with the base from about a half-inch or so. The pointy edges are a bit sharp to the touch (you could poke someone's eye out with it). A little rough texture all over, but probably holds paint pretty good. I wonder if you can take sandpaper to it.
2.) Seeing it on the Shapeways page didn't do it justice. It looks really cool with the base, too.
3.) There's a slight give to the nose of the Scout - just slightly bendable (I don't want to try too hard and break it). I could see that breaking off with a book or something falling on it. Other than that, the material is solid. And very lightweight.
4.) Hull lines stand out as well as the line around the nose and the cockpit window area. There are fore to aft lines between two of the bottom hull lines. EDIT: those are where the landing gear and the stand hole are on the other models.
5.) Turret doesn't have any real detail. Maybe a slight line around the bottom of the hemisphere.
6.) Doors and thrusters on the back stand out nice.
7.) There's some machining marks on the left and right aft where the hull bends forward and all the way to the edge. Vertical grooves in the plastic.
8.) I'll bet you could throw a lot more detail on this. The material looks like it would let it show with a good paint job.
9.) I don't have a stand so I can't test that part out. I'll probably pick one up this weekend.
10.) It's almost an inch and a half long - the length of 2 pennies (sorry, I don't have any foreign currency to compare)
Suggestions:
Would you want to change the landing gear? They seem a bit like posts more than struts. I can throw a couple of pics of the ones I like your way.
More detail.
They're here!
Unfortunately, they are too small for my good camera to focus on. Had to use my cell phone. (crappy resolution pictures below)
But that's ok - I'll throw out a review anyway.
First, I have to say that it's really really cool to hold this in my hand after seeing it in pictures since the late 70's. Thanks Andrew for making it. (And thanks to Marc W. Miller for the original inspiration, of course)
1.) The material they use is very interesting. I ordered the white. Almost sounds like a Poker chip when I drop the one with the base from about a half-inch or so. The pointy edges are a bit sharp to the touch (you could poke someone's eye out with it). A little rough texture all over, but probably holds paint pretty good. I wonder if you can take sandpaper to it.
2.) Seeing it on the Shapeways page didn't do it justice. It looks really cool with the base, too.
3.) There's a slight give to the nose of the Scout - just slightly bendable (I don't want to try too hard and break it). I could see that breaking off with a book or something falling on it. Other than that, the material is solid. And very lightweight.
4.) Hull lines stand out as well as the line around the nose and the cockpit window area. There are fore to aft lines between two of the bottom hull lines. EDIT: those are where the landing gear and the stand hole are on the other models.
5.) Turret doesn't have any real detail. Maybe a slight line around the bottom of the hemisphere.
6.) Doors and thrusters on the back stand out nice.
7.) There's some machining marks on the left and right aft where the hull bends forward and all the way to the edge. Vertical grooves in the plastic.
8.) I'll bet you could throw a lot more detail on this. The material looks like it would let it show with a good paint job.
9.) I don't have a stand so I can't test that part out. I'll probably pick one up this weekend.
10.) It's almost an inch and a half long - the length of 2 pennies (sorry, I don't have any foreign currency to compare)
Suggestions:
Would you want to change the landing gear? They seem a bit like posts more than struts. I can throw a couple of pics of the ones I like your way.
More detail.
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far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Now I'm doubly jealous
Mine are in Winnipeg (clearing customs), after some weird routing through the US and an apparent split of the package, or a time warp, or a misjump...
...but being the weekend they won't be here until next week now
I suppose that means I could do "something" productive this weekend... nah
BTW Andrew, saw your weather on the news tonight, sounds pretty bad, not Canadian Prairies Winter bad but when you're not used to it, and your infrastructure sounds not quite prepared for it, that's gonna be a problem fer sure. Stay warm and don't overdo the shoveling out.
Mine are in Winnipeg (clearing customs), after some weird routing through the US and an apparent split of the package, or a time warp, or a misjump...
...but being the weekend they won't be here until next week now
I suppose that means I could do "something" productive this weekend... nah
BTW Andrew, saw your weather on the news tonight, sounds pretty bad, not Canadian Prairies Winter bad
but when you're not used to it, and your infrastructure sounds not quite prepared for it, that's gonna be a problem fer sure. Stay warm and don't overdo the shoveling out.Cool pic. Thanks.
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
How is the base? Too thick?
Excellent. I wasn't sure how visible it would be.
Would you want to change the landing gear? They seem a bit like posts more than struts. I can throw a couple of pics of the ones I like your way.
Definitely.
Thanks, this is exactly the kind of review I need.
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
BTW Andrew, saw your weather on the news tonight, sounds pretty bad, not Canadian Prairies Winter bad
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11901718
Definitely stay-in-and-watch-DVDs weather.
I don't think it's too thick, but I'm not sure what you were going for. I'd bet it would still be solid if you cut off about a 1/3 of it, if needed. It does look like it would be difficult to paint the bottom of the Scout, tho. 'Hard to get to', if you know what I mean.
I'm going to see if I can get some primer paint to try out and see what it looks like. It might look good now, but it might look different with a coat of paint on it.
I'll go through my Traveller folder and upload a couple.
Here's one I can think of right now. It doesn't show a front strut, tho. If you know who made this, please let me know. I forgot where it came from.
I figure we're 'beta testing' this a bit, so I'm trying to give you as much info as I can.
Made an temporary stand tonite for the Scout with .062 music wire from the hobby shop (pics below). They were out of normal stands. It's 1.57 mm wire with a little bit of Scotch tape where the Scout fits on, for those that like to Do It Yourself. Needed: Scotch Tape, Wire, Wire Cutters, Vice, and a Hammer
I'll try the primer tomorrow during the day.
Also, found out that it's not the resolution of the camera, it just can't focus on something that small. The background looks in focus. (EDIT: deleted other pics and took new ones with a different background)
I'll try the primer tomorrow during the day.
Also, found out that it's not the resolution of the camera, it just can't focus on something that small. The background looks in focus. (EDIT: deleted other pics and took new ones with a different background)
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spinwardpirate
SOC-13
Looks neat.
Fwiw, when I need a mini to sit on a stand but only in a temporary way, I use Blu-tack. It holds well, and is easy to pluck off of the mini and the stand once you are done with it.
Right, it's really a Solomon. :rofl:
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
Supp7 *says* the height is 7.5m, but the pic of the Seeker shows it to be a little over 9m, not far off the 10m I use.
