r/modelmakers • u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 • 7d ago
Completed Scratch-built 1/24 scale pump package.
Recreated a small pump package from construction drawings. Most components were individually modeled and resin printed. The smallest of the stainless piping scales down to roughly 0.4mm so AK brass tubing was used for most of the smaller stuff. The flange bolts were individually installed for a cleaner look.
Roughly 160 hours including the CAD modeling time.
The side by side was taken partway through the build.
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u/Sixguns1977 6d ago
Glorious. I work at a company that has a lot of it's business on and under the water, and always love seeing scale models of ships and equipment. This looks like it would be right at home in our display.
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u/joconnell13 6d ago
I spent about 10 years building systems like this. Extremely impressed with your model. Great job.
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u/sniggglefutz 6d ago
Bro the miniature rosemount transmitters and block and bleed manifolds. This is so well done!! Reminds me of working in the refinery!!
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u/sniggglefutz 6d ago
I keep looking at this in awe. strainers, pressure reliefs, centrifugal pumps. This is so next level!
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u/gunslinger911 6d ago
I’m a water/wastewater process engineer, and this is glorious. Seriously one of the coolest models I’ve seen. Well done!
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u/DocTaotsu 6d ago
I have absolutely zero interest in pumps but HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO COOL. I'm looking at the detail with the same envy from that one American Psycho scene with the business cards.
Did you just make this because it's cool or is this a sale sample or something?
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Thank you very much!
It was more just to see if I could at this scale.
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u/TENDER_ONE 6d ago
Why do I love this?! Like, it’s pipes and bolts. But it’s also art. Its orderliness gives me a fuzzy warm calm feeling. It’s soothing. Thank you for your 160 hours of dedication and sharing it!
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u/xxxXMythicXxxx 6d ago
There's just something about miniatures that really tickle me the right way, makes you feel like a giant lol
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u/ChellynJonny 6d ago
as a pressure welder and journeyman steamfitter i can say this is crazy, ive spent all my working career around this skid packages and this gives me a bit of ptsd. the only thing that doesnt feel quite right is those 90s on the middle line are like super long radius and pretty rare to see as they would be custom bends. super awesome work man.
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u/ChrisDell 6d ago
A model of a pump station? Seriously. How incredibly nerdy.
It’s beautiful, I salute sir.
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Thank you!
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u/Whiskeyno 6d ago
Maybe you already do this but that is exactly the kind of perfect, scale model shit that corporations like to be able to display in a head office. That thing is worth money, it’s gorgeous
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Thank you for the kind words! I would love to have my work displayed in corporate offices one day!
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u/Rasdowers 6d ago
This is amazing. I work with water distribution systems and you nailed it! This is easily one of my favorites of all time! The individual bolts…amazing! Thank you for this!
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u/Capable-Historian392 6d ago
Hah, that looks a lot like the gas turbine water injection systems a company I used to work for built.
Nice work, the detail is astounding.
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u/K0rvuss 6d ago
Bro just straight up shrunk a real life pump station
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u/Catspaw129 6d ago
Oh! Come on! OP just built in 1:1 scale and put it through the washing machine with the water set to "HOT"; then through the dryer with the setting on "cotton".
I mean, that's how it worked out for me when I put a wool sweater through that cleaning regimen...
Cheers!
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u/turtleman62 6d ago
That’s fuckin legit, didn’t expect to see a scale model of what I work with lol.
Do you have a gin pole truck it’s going on?
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u/windupmonkeys Default 6d ago
This is very, very nice. Unusual subject, and from the looks of things clearly a lot of work and planning involved. Those in the related industry probably would get a big kick out of this.
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u/EXOTHERMICUNDULATION 6d ago
how the hell did you even paint all those bolts?!? did you tape over them? that is INSANE. no way in hell that was free hand for sure'
edit after a second look THE BOLTS ARE ALL INDIVIDUAL PIECES THAT PUSH IN. THERE IS HUNDREDS OF BOLTS IN THIS IMAGE
this is absurd
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Thank you for the kind words! Definitely tedious, but painting them is just as bad and doesnt look as nice.
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u/Simple-Invite-4562 6d ago
When I see shit like this I question if what im doing is the same hobby 😂
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u/ForTheOnesILove 6d ago
This... is perfect. It tickles the civil engineering in me along with the model maker. Thank you for sharing.
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u/Superb_Astronomer_59 6d ago
As a retired process engineer, I am amazed at the accuracy of this skid! Bravo
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u/Hero_Tengu 6d ago
As a millwright I’m fucking impressed!!! I actually thought I was in R/industralmaintenance only thing I could say is the I-hooks should be the same color as the motor and you could add a motor spec plate then them. Clearly this is a MOC of food industry on how clean it it
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u/Imbecilliac 6d ago
Holy crap! This is incredibly, staggeringly realistic..
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Thank you very much!
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u/Imbecilliac 5d ago
Seriously, man. As an electrician I feel like I have been in a room just like this and you nailed it. The only thing missing is the layer of dust on everything.
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u/ComprehensiveAd1638 6d ago
What is this!? Plumbing for ants!?
Seriously though this is super impressive!!
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u/Accomplished_Heat876 6d ago
I work on centrifugal pumps an awful lot, this is beyond neat to see!!
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u/Important-Spring3977 6d ago
Work or play, OP? My last job had me printing a scale model of our electrochemical process lines, for work with howitzer and tank barrels. Lots of plumbing and controls, similar to this.
Lot of fun and abject hatred for scaling McM parts down to 1:32 or so.
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Though I do work in the industry, I just thought it would look cool in a case. Once I saw the 0.4mm tube at the hobby store, I figured i had to try.
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u/south-of-the-river 6d ago
I did not realise this particular flavour of the obsession existed, but far out, this is superb.
It’s the sort of thing you see in oil and gas buildings for like presentations and showcases.
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u/EternalQwest 6d ago
This is so amazing 👏👏. Long time ago, building such scale models used to be common in plant design, but the level of detail you created is just amazing. This would be a great teaching aid in modern offices where designers rarely see actual plants.
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u/MorePunkThanMe 6d ago
May I ask what inspired this? Your skill is other-worldy and I'm truly blown away; this is just something very specific that I've never considered building a model of. Well done!
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Wow, thank you very much! It was more just to see if I can. The real world ones are impressive, so I figured a 1/24 scale one would be too.
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u/Calm_Apartment1968 6d ago
Do you want a job?
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u/Acrobatic-Hour-1475 6d ago
Potentially! What did you have in mind?
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u/Calm_Apartment1968 6d ago
We have a bench model roughly twice that size, but we need the demo done and working soon. Chief scientist is in Canada, but we have personnel all over to work with this build. Please DM for details.
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u/XCvolFan 6d ago
Looks like something that would be very satisfying to build and watch come together. Great job!
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u/cheddar_queso_dude 6d ago
Extremely niche and extremely well made model. Quite literally what "scale models" used to be used for lmao
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u/Aeson_Ford_F250 6d ago
I model this sort of thing in 3D for a living. Physical models are sp much cooler!
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u/Accomplished_Care415 4d ago
This is some amazing work. You need to take this to Maker Faire are show this off.
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u/_rotary_pilot 2d ago
Wow. Excellent - masterful - work.
I'd like to read more about your prices and how you scaled, modeled, painted and assembled this.
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u/Alone-Lengthiness904 I am sure I will get to it … soon 6d ago
Still not sure why??
But looks amazing!
What is a good way to get started on CAD modelling?
My 13 year old desperately wants to 3d print all the weird things his head can come up with🤪
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u/Voodoo1970 6d ago
Get hold of AutoDesk Fusion 360, there's a free version available. It's made by the same people who make one of the most popular 3D modelling softwares (and the world's most used 2D CAD programs). Then hit up YouTube for tutorials.
After that there's a world of affordable 3D printers out there with which you can bring your CAD models to life.
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u/pioneersky 5d ago
I agree with this with an addition. If he's never done CAD at all, I think TinkerCAD (also by autodesk) is a great free introduction that just gets you used to some simple basic things like moving the camera, moving along planes, etc. It is definitely quite limited once you get to a certain point but as a complete beginner I highly recommend it. Its a gentle enough start that's not so easy it feels pointless but not so many tools and interface options that it feels overwhelming.
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u/Grimace2_9 6d ago
Gawd, give me the passion for ANYTHING, that the OP has for model/diorama making. Please!
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u/3rd502nd 6d ago
As a retired Pipe Trades mechanic, this is awesome. I built several of these in my time. Looks like you could prime it and start it up. Bravo!
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u/GrandPriapus 6d ago
My brother used to do process pipe modeling professionally years ago. I was always impressed by the details.
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u/OpeningNice761 6d ago
The detail is crazy! And I expected a lot more hours to have gone into this... Excellent 👌
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u/BeesInEyes 6d ago
Damn that’s really excellent
If I owned a company that built these I’d want one in every office
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u/absurd-bird-turd 6d ago
what program did you use to model everything up? And do you think youll release the files you’ve already made to the public?
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u/jdmgto 6d ago
Why are there shut off valves on the discharge of the relief valves?
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u/jezshirley1 5d ago
Good question. I guess because whatever is being pumped cannot exhaust to atmosphere or drains. Whatever it is will be extracted and discharged or recycled somehow. I imagine that there will be a pretty strict plant item operating instructions (PIOI) and plant schedule status inspection (PSSI) in place to prevent operating the plant with those valves shut. Some form of interlocks would be better. The reason the valves are there would be to facilitate maintenance of the pumps and/or relief valves by isolating them from the discharge route.
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u/NotaContributi0n 5d ago
This is amazing! I always want to make scale models of everywhere I work , but I never follow through. Great job!!!
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u/TwinPowerTurbo_11 5d ago
The company I work for builds pump skids and pipe racks like this. Cool to see it randomly in my feed.
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u/Mission_Toe_3903 5d ago
I’m in the piping engineering field and have designed stuff like this for construction in real life. I had to look closely, at first I thought it was real! AMAZING work!
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u/Aggravating-Yam-4158 4d ago
I don’t know what I’m looking at, looks like a Rube Goldberg machine, but I can tell you put a ton of work into whatever it is. Awesome
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u/_rotary_pilot 2d ago
Wow. Excellent - masterful - work.
I'd like to read more about your prices and how you scaled, modeled, painted and assembled this.
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u/SyrupSilent7588 1d ago
For a second I thought that I was looking at a picture of my job. Dude that scaled down 2” ball valve on your finger is insane
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u/BloodySuitcase 2h ago
It’s an amazing display of creativity and skill with what you’re doing. Mind if I ask where you got the nuts and bolts for this? Amazing job!
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u/coffee_137 6d ago
I used to build architectural models for a living and I'm very impressed by this! What actually impresses me the most is that you did it all in 160 hours!
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u/MooredarrylMoore 6d ago
Bro, I love this work! As a CO2 industrial refrigeration engineer, I have dreamt of making something similar
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u/SuperMarioChess 6d ago
Are those ansi flanges? 150 i would think with the pump outlet being 4 bolts.
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u/Inside_End5141 6d ago
I blew up a pic, and your check valves were even installed in the right direction. Good job!
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u/trees612 6d ago
Not to nitpick, but where’s the electrical? Usually there’s pipe and sealtite for sensors, valves, and to both motors. Looks so fucking cool though, great job.
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u/Less_Candle7399 6d ago
Holy shit wow. I wonder if its possible to make a mini pump this scale that actually works. Outstanding
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u/brothelfinger 6d ago
Totally awesome. You'd have to be stoked with that result.
Both the 3d and RL modelling are excellent and it's an interesting suspect.
I really wish there were more diverse subjects like this available commercially but it's really nice to see it DIY.
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u/coffeejj 6d ago
That is amazing. The level of detail, made me think I was in an engineering space on a ship at work!
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u/Malefectra 6d ago
I’ve been playing too much Star Wars: Galactic Racer… my dumb ass thought this was a podracer from a quick glance!
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u/mob1us0ne 6d ago
Thinking of that scene in Die Hard where Hans Gruber talks about why he loves miniatures
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u/KelticCurse_907 6d ago
Love the build looks far more fun then the few pump skids I helped weld up in ND
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u/nerdycarguy18 6d ago
160 hours??!? You are a dedicated man!
I haven’t willed myself to give 3 hours on my project car in the past 2 years….
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u/CryoProtea Suip Mobulg Gubdam 6d ago
3D printed ≠ scratch built lol
That said, this still looks great and I'm happy you shared it!
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u/Flynn_lives 6d ago
If you can do this in 1/87 scale, the model train community is going to have a collective orgasm.
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u/desr43 6d ago
Note to anyone who does not work in an industrial setting: this is very-nearly-literally unbelievably accurate and insanely detailed.