My stock-building antics (was:access to laser cutter thread)

[Spule 4]

Wow, impressive, especially the interior sliding doors. Nice model.

[Chris Cairns]

A very nice box van, with the sliding doors making it even better.

One question - is it possible to laser scribe planking on the reverse side of sheets, as none of the current kits available seem to offer that option?

Chris Cairns.

[Busted Bricks]

One question - is it possible to laser scribe planking on the reverse side of sheets, as none of the current kits available seem to offer that option?

Chris Cairns.

Yes, that is possible. You just need to flip the sheets over and use a jig or some alignment marks to ensure they are in the right location. Takes extra time which is why most kits don't feature it and of course it also increases cost.

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

The problem is reallighnment, getting the parts back into the machine in exactly the right lace to scribe in the right place is increadibly difficult. Its cheaper and quicker just to make two parts out of thinner material and put them back to back.
Lovely box van! Reminds me of a better version of my fish van!

[Busted Bricks]

The problem is reallighnment, getting the parts back into the machine in exactly the right lace to scribe in the right place is increadibly difficult.

Not difficult at all with jigs or some indexing pins. Just cut some indexing holes on the first pass.

[Chris Cairns]

Michael & Zach,,

Thank you for your answers. I've been considering the Manor Models Railways Railway Open Wagon kit to pimp up some Mamod/MSS flat bed wagons, but without the internal planking detail they just look rather cheap to me.

Making something similar out of 'free' coffee stirrers will probably look more pleasing to the eyes.

Chris Cairns.

[big-ted]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I actually cut two sets of pieces for this wagon to enable me to build a second, as my laser cutter access is about to expire as I move on to (hopefully) bigger and better things work-wise. I think this will give me an excuse to put wheels on some of these wagons.

And yep, putting some kind of fixed reference on the cutter bed would be key to scribing front and rear. It's not immediately obvious how one would do that on my cutter though.

[big-ted]

I added some detail bits to the open wagon last night...



Dummy hinges and corner bars made from styrene components following tips from FBGR here:

http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/sutra77149.php#77149

My rivets are a little, um, "pronounced", but I think they have a certain charm about them!