Production Blog

Carpet farming continues to grow up.

Corrugated steel bins constructed from used oatmeal containers and discarded tin cans are so old school. Today's hardcore toy farmers can store their commodities in realistic grain set ups and buildings.

Freeport, Illinois, artist Eric Schaney creates farm grain setups in 1/64th scale using 3D printers. Customers can choose from in-stock storage bins, holding tanks, tower dryers, grain legs, dump buildings, the augers and downspouts to connect them. Or they can customize grain bins and accessories to mimic their own farm down to the exact number of rings and roof vents.

Schaney grew up playing with and collecting toy tractors and never lost the love of it. "I would go to toy shows and started noticing a void in the grain side of things to make displays realistic," said Schaney. "So, I decided to start drawing."

Eric's Custom 3D Grain Set Ups emerged. While he's employed in the excavating industry and remains involved in the family farm, toy bin building has become a steady side business. His wife, Shania, keeps the orders fulfilled and the printers printing.

Computer-aided design (CAD) software is used to draw the details and 3D printers seem to miraculously deliver the final product, but there's a lot of artistry in the middle. "I take pride in doing the most detailed work I can do, especially on the custom designs where we are trying to match a real-life setup," he said.

"The 3D printer can build almost anything you put your mind to, if you can draw it," Schaney added. "All bends, augers and walkways must all be drawn and designed before printing." It's not just press-a-button magic, either. A regular size bin takes about five hours to print start to finish, he said.

Think of the 3D printers as modern-day elves without labor laws. Schaney said lately the printers in his shop have been running 24/7. He has orders booked into February, so it is important to think ahead, especially on custom pieces. Prices start around $30 for a small bin. Accessories start at $5. Pricing depends on the amount of customization, size of the item and scope of the project.

Schaney said toy grain setups are strong and durable enough to endure real play. The equipment accepts logos and can be painted.

Some of the most heartfelt moments in his business have come when a young farmer wannabe brings a farming parent or grandparent into the booth, and they leave with a treasure that resembles a memory of home.

Then, there are the adults who might be truly yearning for a new grain facility for Christmas. "Some of these systems in real life would be millions of dollars," Schaney said. "When you think of that, the miniature versions are really affordable."

Find Schaney's 3D catalog and more information at: https://www.facebook.com/… or contact him by email Custom3dgrain@gmail.com.

Need a realistic place to play with your grain setup? In 2022, a DTN article covered Boundri, a company that prints rugs and mats of your farm https://www.dtnpf.com/…. To find updated information and the whole lineup of offerings from Boundri go to: https://boundri.com/….

Pamela Smith can be reached at pamela.smith@dtn.com

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