Kabuto Models; Details for your layout!

[ToniBabelony]

Kabuto Models specialises in high-resolution details for Japanese themed (model train) layouts and custom rolling stock that is compatible with easily available 3rd party parts. All products out of the BETA stage have been printed successfully! Please visit us on Facebook as well for the latest news!

 

Visit us!

- Shapeways (international)

- DMM.make (Japan)

- Facebook (news)

 

 

 

Landscape elements:

• Hachiman-style torii (5x), small (N-gauge);
• Kashima-style torii (5x), small (N-gauge);
• Shinmei-style torii (5x), small (N-gauge);
• Ise-Shinmei-style torii (5x), small (N-gauge);
• Myōjin-style torii (5x), small (N-gauge);
• Myōjin-style torii (40x), small (N-gauge);
• TORII SET all above styles (5x), small (N-gauge);
   
• Hachiman-style torii (5x), medium (N/H0-gauge);
• Kashima-style torii (5x), medium (N/H0-gauge);
• Shinmei-style torii (5x), medium (N/H0-gauge);
• Ise-Shinmei-style torii (5x), medium (N/H0-gauge);
• Myōjin-style torii (5x), medium (N/H0-gauge);
• Torii all versions, medium bulk set (N/H0-gauge);
• Torii all versions, medium set (N/H0-gauge);
   
• Toro shrine lights (32x), (N-gauge)
• Community signs, small set, (N-scale);
   
• Propane tanks (16pc. x 2), 50kg (N-gauge);
• Propane tanks (16pc. x 2), 30kg (N-gauge);
• Propane tanks (32pc.), 20kg (N-gauge);
• Propane tanks (32pc.), 10kg (N-gauge);
• Propane tanks (32pc.), 5kg (N-gauge);
• Propane tank SUPER SET (56pc.), 5~50kg (N-gauge);

• Trash can set (6x2), (N-scale);
• Flower pot SET 1, (N-gauge);
• Corner mirrors (24 pc.), (N-gauge);
• Beer Crates, (N-gauge);
• Air Conditioners and Boilers, (N-gauge);
• Post Boxes (three sizes), (N-gauge);

Trains (N-gauge, 6.5mm):

• Big Henschel, (N-gauge) BETA;
• Closed van 1 pc., (N-gauge) BETA;
• Closed van 4 pc., (N-gauge) BETA;
• Open wagon 1 pc., (N-gauge) BETA;
• Open wagon 4 pc., (N-gauge) BETA;
• Freight Tram SET, (N-gauge) BETA;

 

Trains (N-gauge, 9mm):

• Sneltram Utrecht (1994), (N-gauge) BETA;
• Sneltram Utrecht (1983), (N-gauge) BETA.
• RET Metro MG2 (1966), (N-gauge) IN DEVELOPMENT;
• RET Metro MG2 (1969), (N-gauge) IN DEVELOPMENT;
• RET Metro MG2 (1972), (N-gauge) IN DEVELOPMENT;

---

 

Also, if you'd like to see other small scenic details that aren't readily available, you need a lot from or are too expensive to deliver, please let me know! I'll try to keep the price reasonable and the range of materials broad, so there is a choice for every need. :)

Edited February 16, 2016 by Toni Babelony

[katoftw]

I'm keen.

 

Can we post up pictures of Tori gates we have seen and like to get made?

[ToniBabelony]

I'm keen.

 

Can we post up pictures of Tori gates we have seen and like to get made?

 

Sure thing! If they are nicely done shots, that can be used as reference) please do so as attachments in your posts, otherwise they will fill the topic up so much. Like the ones in this post of the shrine in my neighbourhood. I had to buy some beer just now, so why not snap the gate of the shrine near the supermarket (Kanayama-jinja)? ;)

 

Front (I can do the stone lanterns later as well).

Kamebara detail;

Nuki and kusabi;

Gakuzuka detail (I can leave this empty or put a name on it).

 

P.s. tilt your head 90˚ for extra realism.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Toni Babelony

[katoftw]

I'll take a pack of 40,000 to finish off my Fishimi Inari diorama. haha

[JR 500系]

Definitely interested! I made a post sometime back regarding the scarcity of N scale Tori Gates...

 

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/6680-where-to-buy-torii-gate-n-scale-model/?hl=%2Btori+%2Bgate&do=findComment&comment=74921

 

So it's sure a good thing to get this news Toni!

 

Torii gates are actually very important structures, a nice little touch to differentiate a Japanese layout. They can actually be posted at village entrances, park entrances, or I have seen them just lying around.  

 

So yah definitely keeping two eyes out for this!  :)

 

Customised structures. Who wouldn't like them?   :)

 

Just one thing, does it come assembled or in a kit form like Green Max kits that require assembly? Assembly is ok, but I think being fully painted is definitely a selling point since some of us (definitely me included) is not exactly a Picaso...

[ToniBabelony]

I'll take a pack of 40,000 to finish off my Fishimi Inari diorama. haha

 

Be careful what you wish for. Almost anything is possible with 3D printing.

 

Just one thing, does it come assembled or in a kit form like Green Max kits that require assembly? Assembly is ok, but I think being fully painted is definitely a selling point since some of us (definitely me included) is not exactly a Picaso...

 

I want to offer them in many different materials and colours, such as red, grey or black plastic, so they only require some touch-ups, like with a black marker for the foot ends of the torii. There is also the option of offering them in fully painted versions. However, the commercially available technology is not yet to the point where this can be applied on a satisfactory level in N-gauge. For rough stone/stucco structures, it's fine, but not for wooden/lacquered textured structures just yet.

 

I keep repeating for myself that 3D printing is the work of the future when we're actually doing this today. It's so amazing!

[cteno4]

Toni,

 

That's great! any idea on the pricing? Probably need to be a set to be worthwhile with the setup and shipping charges. Not a heck of a lot of plastic in it, but some printer volume, but if you nested a few of different sizes you could reduce that a lot and a few shrine bits in the center.

 

With a little light sanding and painting the surface would be fine for wood. I would go for uncolored to keep it cheap as it's an easy paint.

 

Still can't figure out why tomytec has never done this,mits sooo dirt simple for an accessory kit with maybe 3 or 4 toriis and a few other little bits of shrine stuff. Take nothing to design and mould and I expect something most every modeler would buy! This has been like this for over a decade now they have not touched it!

 

Jeff

[kvp]

Afaik Tomix has a bigger kit with a gate and several large structures.

For production, a larger batch is possible (as a single model) that can be broken up into kits for sale. A prepainted version might be viable for an extra price.

 

Ps: What does 'kabuto' mean?

[katoftw]

Yes red and grey options would be perfect.  Should cover most red and concrete gates.  Add black, gold or weathering as required.

[Nick_Burman]

Afaik Tomix has a bigger kit with a gate and several large structures.

For production, a larger batch is possible (as a single model) that can be broken up into kits for sale. A prepainted version might be viable for an extra price.

 

Ps: What does 'kabuto' mean?

 

kvp,

 

If it is the kabuto i'm thinking of, it's the samurai's helm. But the it depends on the character used for the word. Toni?

 

 

 

Cheers NB

[ToniBabelony]

I don't know about the pricing yet, but I'll keep it as attractive as possible. The choice of materials also influences the price, so it's up to the buyer to decide what colour and what material can be ordered. Single coloured printing isn't much more expensive from standard material, but there is also the option of fully coloured models. The price is low on these, but the detail quality is very crude.

 

In due time I will develop more products, which will become cheaper to ship when ordering more, as Shapeways combines shipping of multiple products (unlike DMM).

 

Kabuto indeed means the Samurai helmet. It's a play on my last name 'Helm'. I also use this character in my hanko for official business here in Japan. It's strikingly cool. XD

[marknewton]

Can 3D designs be rescaled to HO? If yes, I'd definitely buy some from you.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[tossedman]

Great idea!

[katoftw]

The Gakuzuka detail plate thingo can/will be separate and glued on as required?  Some gates have them and some do not.  Y/N?

 

Probably leave blank as in N scale you'd be lucky to see any text.

Edited May 30, 2015 by katoftw

[HantuBlauLOL]

Kabuto mushi eh?

[ToniBabelony]

The models that don't require 3rd party components (most scenery) can be rescaled easily, so I can put them on sale in H0 as well. In larger scales, the details will probably be more visible as well.

 

The great thing about 3D printing is that you don't have to make additional parts that need to be glued on. You just release different versions! ;)

[cteno4]

Toni,

 

When shapeways was getting going there I looked into doing a shop likemthis to do the odd bits of scenery stuff that you can't get elsewhere easily. I just have not had the time to upgrade my cad skills. Does take some money as well to make sure stuff prints as desired and works out well at scale before selling. Still plan to give a whirl when there is more time to play on the cad.

 

Thing I was looking at were

 

- birds (larger things like seagulls, cranes and such, but you can even do 1/150 pigeons in the frosted fine detail and they do look like pigeons! You burn more on plastic in the support than the pigeons though!

 

- dogs and cats

 

- house details like gutters, tile roof caps, window mullions, air conditioners, flower pots, etc. especially the 3d detail bits that could add some edge pop to the sankei kits. I've wondered why sankei has not thought of adding 3d printing to their kits as perhaps addons. Maybe this is another simple thing for the store would be add on detail kits for 2d laser cut kits.

 

- people - using a program like poser to get folks in unusual poses. The 1/144 scale military figures that have been done this way sound like they came out well, but have not seen them myself.

 

- curb side bits like mailboxes, trash bins, fire hydrants

 

- shrine and temple details like water fountains, toro lanterns, ema racks, small sessha. Also different roadside hokora as these are fun to pop in all over. Some of these are done, but not a lot and many as part of larger kits.

 

Looking forward to what you bring out here!

Edited May 30, 2015 by cteno4

[ToniBabelony]

Jeff, thank you for these ideas! For now, I will focus on geometric objects and maybe latet will make a shift towards organic, but for now I'll stick to street details.

 

Things I've been thinking about in the housing department, were air conditioners, gas canisters (LPG/LNG), balconies, garbage collecting spaces with bins, etc. Maybe even special vehicles. These should be relatively easy to do and I can offer these in various combinations so there won't have to be a multiple of initial printing costs to pay (+/-$5 per order).

[cteno4]

Yes you can do a load of little details pretty cheap is you do the minimum of sprue plastic as the printing base plastic can be more than the actual bits! But still not super cheap unless quite a bit is ganged up to get the per part cost down. This is the only rub with the print on demand store concept for little bits as the setup and shipping and handling can be a lot to get a few little bits. But printing large piles and then having to fulfill is a mess as well...

 

Luckily the. Ore organic stuff does not have to be very smooth at scale! There are loads of models out there to start from as well.

 

Good news it should just keep getting cheaper.

 

Jeff

[kvp]

Have you tought about ordering them from a local shop in larger batches and then packaging them in smaller sets yourself? That would allow you to paint and even partially assemble some of them, similarly like Tomytec kits. (assuming you have the free time to do it) This could increase the number of people who would buy them, decrease the setup and shipping fee for everyone and you could charge an extra painting and handling fee that would land in your pocket.

[cteno4]

Maybe the local hobby shops might pick them up as well, lots of little niche suppliers do this only thur a handful of stores...

 

Really don't think painting would be necessary or as an additional item for higher price.

 

Does require the inventory costs, luckily the storage area would be small! Simple printed paper and glasseen bag for packaging!

 

Fullfilment can be the bitch though, it can really eat up profits unless you are doing a good little volume.

 

Jeff

[katoftw]

Kobaru is the only other manufacturer that I'm aware of the does trash bins, ac units etc.  Would be good to have another supplier.

[ToniBabelony]

First, I would like to actually create the objects and make them available over Shapeways or a similar site. Setting up a mail order business from home requires not only financial input (product investment and packaging material), but also time. I'd have to set up a webshop, take care of orders, keep an eye on stocks, and so on. It doesn't seem like much, but it will take up precious time.

 

For now, I'd like to invest that time in developing new products. Maybe after summer, this can become a thing.

[marknewton]

The models that don't require 3rd party components (most scenery) can be rescaled easily, so I can put them on sale in H0 as well. In larger scales, the details will probably be more visible as well.

 

Thanks Toni, in that case I will definitely be one of your customers!  :)

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

[ToniBabelony]

Thank you for the support! I hope to be able to upload the first torii to Shapeways for ordering this week. I have started with the most complex of the basic torii forms, the Inari/Myōjin-style gate:

 

 

I have based this model off an example in the neighbourhood, which is simple and very popular. Basically, you see this style everywhere you go. This is also one of the few styles that has a complex curved and 5-sided kasagi (top).

 

Other styles that are planned are the Kashima, Shinmei (round and 5-sided kasagi) and Hachiman torii.