The final appearance of this is totally professional and could have been produced by a major manufacturer with all the costs of their machinery and technology. Wow!!

The consequences for the hobby in terms of folk being able to produce all sorts of things without needing a kit, let alone RTR, are breathtaking.

John.

Thank you very much; that is high praise indeed!  I totally agree, I think this (and 3D printing) are going to make things very exciting and interesting when it comes to the smaller, more unusual prototypes that ordinarily would never be considered for manufacture.  Especially considering how the likes of Shapeways and Silhouette will let you design something, upload it to their stores, and then make it available for general purchase, it is already possible to buy something and then print it out at home for construction. 

If there is interest I may put my designs on the Silhouette website for others to download and build.  So far I have drawn up and built the all third and I have just cut out parts for a brake third.  I am planning a composite and a full brake at the very least to do too, and maybe (in a few months time perhaps) some 48' Parker stock and 50' Edwardian stock. 

Having made a few sides myself, I must congratulate you on an excellent job!  The registration of the windows looks perfect and you've added the ventilators and other small details, as well.  How many layers did you use for the sides and what thickness of plasticard did you eventually choose?

It's also nice to see that you are experiencing the excitement that I felt, when I realised what an amazing new world this machine had opened up.  There are plenty of unusual prototypes out there with which to amaze you friends

Thank you!  I eventually went for 0.25mm thick plastic, which is very thin and flimsy but once the internal bulkheads are added it straightens up beautifully.  There are two layers for the side; the one to the rear has just the windows cut out whilst the one to the front has all of the beading and panelling added.  The ventilators over the doors are the small beading cut-outs refitted. 

I've been caught out this morning!- I drew the beading on the next carriage (brake third) too fine and when it cut out, well it sort of overlapped itself and split the plastic.  So I've had to redraw that part and will have another go at cutting it out later. 

Have you any idea about blade life?

I hear many varying reports and of course I know it will depend on how thick the material etc but hearing stories of new blades being required every few sheets of plasticard and blades costing £7 or so is a bit of a concern.

Any thoughts to report?

Dave.

In all honesty, no.  All I can say is that I have used it to cut one sheet of 20thou plastic and about three of 10thou and at the moment it still seems okay.  It is my understanding that it is possible to buy multiple packs of cheaper blades via ebay, which I think is the route I shall be going down when the blade does go dull. 

Thanks thats encouraging.

Lots of scare mongering out there from guys who no doubt have never set eyes on a cutter.

We are seriously considering one for our new build layout which features a large Scottish station with a lot of repeat in respect of window and door rebates plus canopy valancing and footbridge cladding.

We did have a limited run of etched canopy valancing produced for Alloa way back but that was before anything like this was available.

Currently working out which to go for as don't want to underspend then find we needed the next one up so to speak.

Interesting your comments on the programs as one of the main things stopping us jumping in right now is who amongst us has the time or resolve to sit down and digest the boring bits…no volunteers!

We are all modellers of a certain age and although I am on the Mac every day its really a tool to me and like my colleagues a bit reluctant to get involved with complicated programs and procedures.

It sounds as though the scanning and downloading of the info was easier than expected?

Dave.

I found the drawing software included really easy to get my head around (this was perhaps the bit I worried about most,as usually I and computer software don't get on well at all). 

Very encouraging and thanks for replies.

We will no doubt dip our toes in the water with this.

Dave.