3D factories … would there be a market?

@Grimwolf:

How big are the air fields & naval bases

I am currently printing them, I will take a picture with some game pieces besides them for scale once they are done.  I should be able to post pictures in less then an hour.  I can always scale anything up or down :)  But right now, I am just printing for the first time as I just finished the design few minutes ago lol. Thus the screen shot of the 3D models instead of an actual print :) Stay tuned !

@Grimwolf:

How big are the air fields & naval bases

There you go:

Even though it is possible to scale things down, I think that the naval base and airfield are actually as small as they should be if wanting some details and be able to paint them.

@wartorn:

@DiveCrewCanada:

@wartorn:

I am DEFINITELY interested!!! A kit put together with an initial set up and the"go to" purchases would be genius!!!

My only input would be to minimal-ize the square footage. Square footage is very valuable on most territories where the major factories would be. Maybe ridding the majors of the border and merging the 2 buildings together would save some space. And, the minor factories would be  the perfect size if they were somewhere in between the size of a monopoly house and hotel.

what do you mean by “go to” ? Sorry, before beeing bald, I was blonde :/

Definitely can make the minor smaller (right now it is same size as in the original axis and allies)  and I can definitely make the major less space invasive :) I will see if I can have sometime tonight to make one and print it :)

The initial set up of major and Minor factories. Plus Minors for Greece, Egypt, 2 or 3 for Japan, and and extra for France (since they always get creamed in the first turn). Will look at the set up and come up with some numbers. Just a thought though.

By all mean, looking forward to hear that number :)

@wartorn:

You sir work quick and are mighty talented! I do like the first major factory design you came up with more, but I would still purchase the “new design.” Factory size seems perfect (small and compact is better). Only comment I have on the bases are WOW. Great job and thanks for doing this DCC!!!

Thank you sir.

Ok, following your previous recommendations and preferences, this is the final set I came up with (I trimmed the major factory and made it more compact) Here are some screenshots from different angles. You can easily refer to pics I posted above for scale of the new/old/remade/major factory.  that’s the only piece not in the pictures.

Now, what i need to know is how many of each would make  a nice set? Should Factories and Bases be separated? Ya know… in case some people are nostalgic and prefer to play with a lil carboard square… (To those, I recommend Squad leader… you would go nutz with square chits :D )

@Der:

DCC I’m pretty sure you would sell a lot of those standard factories since HBG always seems to be out of them.

It is a done deal then :)  Because I can produce them in house, I do not rely on a 3rd party manufacturing process. :)

I had a talk with YG yesterday (way past my bed time cough cough (just teasing YG here)) and he came up with some numbers:

A factory set would be composed of:  15 minor factories and 12 major factories

A Standard factory set (original size) : 15 factories (only the classic model and size)

An airfield/naval base set is a total of 43 (combined, I still have to figure out the break down) … and that one makes me a lil more nervous… that’s a big quantity for 1 set

Statistics:

Factory Set takes 3 hours to print and takes 30 feet of filament

Standard Factory Set  takes 2 hours to print and takes 20 feet of filament.

Airfields/Naval Bases Set takes 5 hours to print and takes 40 feet of filament

Note: In terms of 3D printing, this is actually not bad at all (time & material wise)
        I currently have 2 3D printers, so I think, it would be reasonable to handle the production based on the few people who showed interest.

So now, based on all that information, anyone is going the be the first at throwing numbers? It is by NO MEAN my intention to get rich or even make a living out of that… I already have a full time job and this is a very niche market. But, as everyone will sure understand, I do not want to lose money either (Or being instructed by my wife to now sleep in my gaming room because she gets jealous of the quality time I spend with the 3D printers) :)

As per 7:00 am(EST) this morning, I am printing a Factory Set then will print an Airfield/Naval Base set.

Addendum:

For anyone interested and having access to a 3D printer, we have made the files available for free download at http://www.cliffsidebunker.com in the “Work” section.

@wartorn:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/P7JFN6N8N/majorfactory-qty-12?optionId=10600458

Just sayin ;) Want your input DCC… is this a high price?

Definitely higher then what I had in mind :)  For the full set of minor(15) + major factories(12) I was thinking in the range of $20 …. $19.99 if you UP this post :P  But then again, I want to know what people think.

$25 for the Airfield/Naval Base set (43 miniatures)

$10 for the “classic” factory set (15 factories)

Now, what do you guys think? (and remember, you don’t have to buy from me lol, you can download the files on YG’s website (FREE) and pester a neighbour or family member that has a 3D printer)… If you are really ambitious and don’t mind a divorce, you can buy your own 3D printer and explain to your wife the WHY this is so critical to have one in every household (But I am confident I am cheaper then a divorce lawyer!) :D

There you go, full set of glow in the dark factories…

“Glow in the Dark?” you say… “Damn right!” I reply… “Imagine it is friday the 13th, your dog swallow one of your factories… All hell break loose, you have a game on saturday the 14th!!! What to do? What to do?..  Keep calm and Carry on (as the British once said)… Wait until night time, bring the felon pet for a walk until it poops! and Taaaaaaadaaaaaaaaaaaaa… Here is that chimney poking proudly out of the newly deposited, (and probably still warm…ewwww) to scale, Mount Everest of organic matter… There you go fellow… that glow in the dark saved the day! You can proudly walk back home and rest assured that your incoming game will have all it’s pieces…!”

Disclaimer: Ya might want to spic and span that factory before the game… just saying…   The things can be painted so you can bet your butt that dog poop will stick…

Addendum:  “But… DCC… My dog is too small to poop the factory… :(”   DCC: “Well, aren’t you a lucky one! You just got a glow in the dark dog at no extra charge… You are welcome!”

@wartorn:

Awesome set DCC!!! Thats not even a competitive price. That is ridiculously low. We the community can not thank you enough!

Awwwww… You are going to make me blush… Did I mention free shipping every February the 30th if Donald Trump didn’t tweet for 72 hours? :D

On a more serious note, shipping will be what shipping cost me, no “handling” fees of hell…