Hello all, this is my first main post apart from a brief introduction and only recently started out in 3D printing at the age of 65
One of my hobbies is N Gauge model railways and I thought I’d save some money by printing some parts and accessories. I found quite a lot of various scale figures, vehicles accessories etc. on the Internet, sliced them in Cura and began to print in PLA. Most of the vehicles turned out very well with maybe some minimal stringing but the small figures (little people) just won’t print. The printing process begins well with feet and legs being printed…and suddenly it starts stringing, knocking over the figures and leaving a mess on the base plate.
I’ve looked at various YouTube videos for help or ideas and changed some of the sttings for the printer (Ender 3 KE), namely the printing speed (reduced) and increased the heating temperature for the initial layers. I’ve also tried printing the N Gauge figures on a small Tina2 Basic printer but the same thing happens. I've tried printing them standing up and laying flat without success.
I'm not at a stage where my knowledge extends to adding supports or other things (yet!) so I'm wanting to learn.
Any suggestions or ideas?
Thanks
Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
Moderator: CrazyIvan
Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
It would really help with diagnosis to see pictures of various stages of the print (but see Including Images In Posts).
Assuming your printer is of the common type where the head moves in X and Z but the bed moves in Y, any model which is tall and thin can easily wobble with the shaking from the Y motion. Using a raft can help, but if the model is thin enough even that won't stabilise it.
One solution is to print the figures lying down (rotate the model in Cura), but you say you've tried that. Have you enabled support? You could try setting the minimum support angle really low, and enable tree support.
To repeat: pictures needed!
Assuming your printer is of the common type where the head moves in X and Z but the bed moves in Y, any model which is tall and thin can easily wobble with the shaking from the Y motion. Using a raft can help, but if the model is thin enough even that won't stabilise it.
One solution is to print the figures lying down (rotate the model in Cura), but you say you've tried that. Have you enabled support? You could try setting the minimum support angle really low, and enable tree support.
To repeat: pictures needed!
- 2E0PWD
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Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
Thanks for the reply CrazyIvan.
I've tried printing more this morning but something isn't right. Some pictures here if it works. As well as the 'little people' I've printed an Allen Key handle and that printed just fine.
Some of the figures were printed laying flat, some standing and some with supports. All of them have excessive stringing and it has made me wonder if they are too small to print at 1:148 scale
Having said that, the N Gauge vehicles that I've printed have turned out OK.
As I said initially, I'm only a beginner and trying to learn everything from scratch. It's getting there...slowly!
I've tried printing more this morning but something isn't right. Some pictures here if it works. As well as the 'little people' I've printed an Allen Key handle and that printed just fine.
Some of the figures were printed laying flat, some standing and some with supports. All of them have excessive stringing and it has made me wonder if they are too small to print at 1:148 scale

As I said initially, I'm only a beginner and trying to learn everything from scratch. It's getting there...slowly!
Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
I reckon there are two things going on (assuming the same filament is being used throughout):
First, some filaments behave better than others, even according to colour. What everyone should be doing is printing test towers to optimise nozzle temperature, although you might not find a "best" setting for some filaments. The room temperature affects results too, so the settings need tuning according to season.
Second, the figures print looks like there are a lot of intricate separate shapes per layer, so the nozzle path is continually swapping between the different sections. That's going to amplify any tendency to stringing. The "other" print is simpler shapes so simpler seam lines (where the nozzle starts and stops any particular path).
I've not explored any slicer settings for controlling the nozzle path within a layer, but there might be some. However, I would start by trying different filament.
First, some filaments behave better than others, even according to colour. What everyone should be doing is printing test towers to optimise nozzle temperature, although you might not find a "best" setting for some filaments. The room temperature affects results too, so the settings need tuning according to season.
Second, the figures print looks like there are a lot of intricate separate shapes per layer, so the nozzle path is continually swapping between the different sections. That's going to amplify any tendency to stringing. The "other" print is simpler shapes so simpler seam lines (where the nozzle starts and stops any particular path).
I've not explored any slicer settings for controlling the nozzle path within a layer, but there might be some. However, I would start by trying different filament.
- 2E0PWD
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:21 pm
- Location: North Yorkshire, England
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
Thanks for your reply
The filament used is standard PLA although I've used different colours. I'm not sure that a different coloured filament would make a difference. I'm wodering if it's worth trying another type of filament
I've printed some more bits and pieces, mainly boxes for electronic projects, and they've all printed very well. As you say, there aren't the intricate layers and structures in a box that there are in tiny people!
I think that I'll try printing them again and change the settings one at a time to see the results. It may be time consuming and waste filament but it's all part of the learning curve
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions. It's appreciated.
The filament used is standard PLA although I've used different colours. I'm not sure that a different coloured filament would make a difference. I'm wodering if it's worth trying another type of filament

I've printed some more bits and pieces, mainly boxes for electronic projects, and they've all printed very well. As you say, there aren't the intricate layers and structures in a box that there are in tiny people!

I think that I'll try printing them again and change the settings one at a time to see the results. It may be time consuming and waste filament but it's all part of the learning curve

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions. It's appreciated.
Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
In my experience, it does.2E0PWD wrote: Thu Aug 08, 2024 8:06 am I'm not sure that a different coloured filament would make a difference.
Another material (eg ABS) will come with its own set of problems and require a separate learning curve. Be aware the Tina2 is only suitable for PLA and TPU.I'm wodering if it's worth trying another type of filament![]()
Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
Hi,
I am in the latter stages of printing 1/72 1/48 and 1/32 accurate human figures 'standing up' and using SLA.
establishing which printer is best to upgrade an Any Cubic Mono X6K to. I wouldnt even entertain the idea of heated filament. OMG.
I can act as agent for you and pass on your stl files to my bureau when we get functional. Well overdue for reaching that stage, just sussing the new range of printers at the mo.
Its an idea. Its one of the revenue streams I suggest is out there.
A service for super small detail figures is rare.
PM me if interested.
Cheers
DBenz
I am in the latter stages of printing 1/72 1/48 and 1/32 accurate human figures 'standing up' and using SLA.
establishing which printer is best to upgrade an Any Cubic Mono X6K to. I wouldnt even entertain the idea of heated filament. OMG.
I can act as agent for you and pass on your stl files to my bureau when we get functional. Well overdue for reaching that stage, just sussing the new range of printers at the mo.
Its an idea. Its one of the revenue streams I suggest is out there.
A service for super small detail figures is rare.
PM me if interested.
Cheers
DBenz
Re: Problems with printing N Gauge (1:148 Scale) figures
SLA comes with its own set of problems. I wouldn't recommend it for a casual hobbyist.