meltonpieman

Hi Mike That looks interesting and I will explore it as they seem to have sorted some accuracy problems. I actually found my own fault/solution by mistake. The files that are exported from Inkscape seem to be a a very high zoom factor and so I could see nothing. By zooming to 'see all' in Draftsight the file becomes visible (all be it at a very low zoom factor). Your link looks good and I will explore it later. Regards Dave

Hi Tony Great collection box ..... but maybe I am biased! Dave

Hi everyone I have been trying to save a dxf file from Inkscape to modify in my CAD (Draftsight 2018), before passing on to a laser cutter. Problem: no matter what I do the file size always seems to be 4kb and when opened in Draftsight all I get is a completely blank screen. I have tried openning the saved files in Inkscape and there are blank there as well. Therefore, I suspect that my problem is in the saving part of the process. I think that I have tried every option in the options box when saving, but ..... Has anyone any useful suggestions to enable me to do this 'simple' task? Regards David

Ray Do you mean that you cut a strip of tiles out completely? Then, I assume that you intend to glue them overlapping the row below, etc. That has given me some interesting ideas, I would be interested in seeing a picture and the cutting file if that is possible. Regards David sent from my iPad

Hi Rich Back in this post (February) you showed your design of laser cut servo mount. I am working towards servos for a layout and would be interested to hear about the design. Is it intended to hold micro swithes as well? It looks like it might use piano wire to move the throw, am I correct? Do you have files for the cutter? Regards David

Thanks for that Roger. I had been considering making one of these but was not sure where to start. Can you help a little more? About how much did you grind off the tip of the blade? Also, about what sort of angle did you grind it off at? Regards David

Thanks for that Jason. I will probably just engrave/emboss with the blade then. If I get adventurous later I might invest in a scriber and give it a go. But hey ho simple is best to start with.

Hi everyone I have read through this whole epic saga! Half way through my wife and I bought a Portrait but I am still waiting to start using it (after the wife lets it out of her grip). I have a project to build a large stone viaduct and to be able to emboss styrene with the stone patterns, dressed facings, and keystones (that suit the spans I want) is fantastic. Some many pages back there were various comments on trying diamond tipped embossing tools for this (rather than a blade). Can anyone tell me if this succeeded? If so, what type of embossing tool and holder were the best? Yours a silhouette novice

Hi everyone I recently came across the Silhouette Portrait machine through a chance encounter with a YouTube video. Like almost everyone else, I saw all sorts of potential for modelling (my wife also saw potential for her craft projects - so possible fights for access are on the horizon). I have quickly flitted through parts of this topic (all 51 pages will take a little longer than I have this morning) and seen even more potential that I had imagined and I apologise if my answer is already here and I have not seen it yet. I have a question - has anyone used one to 'engrave' a sheet of styrene to produce the face of a stone arch and pillars for a bridge or viaduct? If so, what were the results like?

Hi Dave Thanks for that information. Great model and while it might be a while yet, I think that I will be happy with my model when it arrives. Great work! regards David

Good luck in getting an answer about the sound chip. I have posted the same question to DJM twice and had no response! Even though I am unhappy about that, I am still looking forward to getting my pre-ordered model (even more now seeing these closeups). From the look of the model and open boiler space there will be some room for speaker, zimo and - I hope - capacitor. David

I have just about completed building the small signal box. I have two suggestions for improvement to what is a first class model: 1. At flue pipe on the roof. There would always have been a stove and so a metal flue pipe. It was not hard to add one, but included it would have been great. 2. There is no opening into the base of the box for the point rodding and signal cables. This would have been at the front. I have detailed the inside of the box with a Springside small signal box white metal kit and glazed all the windows. I am just waiting to get a small LED to light it up and add it to the layout. Must get around to the goods shed that I also bought at Warley. David

Dave I was wondering what size sound chip and speaker would fit the OO model of the J94 that I have on pre-order. I normally use Zimo MX648R (9pin plug or bare wire equivalent the MX648) and sugar cube speakers 10x15x11mm (or if space is tight 10x15x9mm). The sugar cube enclosures are just for convenience in fitting into non DCC ready locos or small DCC ready Bachmanns that make no allowance for sound and speakers - I have a few legless drivers and firemen! Advice for pre-planning and purchasing would be appreciated. Then I can be ready to roll ........