A Guide to using the Silhouette Cameo Cutter

[MikeTrice]

If you refer to the description above I tell you which layers were laminated to which and in which order however I may not have explained it very well. Basically pairs of layers were laminated together and set aside under weights to cure, then the next pair, until I had three distinct sets of 20thou layers for final laminating together.

 

The solvent I used was Deluxe Materials Plastic Magic which I had never used before, being a former MekPak man, however I am very impressed and am now a convert. It seems milder than MekPak. I applied a light run along the seams with a brush, around windows and along panelling but did not attempt to put any between layers (if that makes sense, so I suppose it was not sloshed about). A pair of laminations stayed under the weight for around an hour before the next set, the whole lot eventually being left under the weight for a couple of hours.

 

For the weight I simply put a steel ruler over them and then stood the solvent jar on it (although my solvent jar is stuck in a glass T Light holder with blutack which adds to its weight and makes it difficult to knock over). I did not provide any additional venting in the sides and have not experienced any issues with subsequent solvent melting or distorting the layers.

 

Edited December 28, 2013 by MikeTrice

[Buhar]

Thought I would try and cut some grab handles. The jury is still out:

I'm not sure either, Mike. Better than design clever, mind.

[allan downes]

Hi Mike, just a question if I may.

 

Does Plastic Magic leave a smear on the clear glazing when run down the edge of glazing bars for example ?

 

The coach side is really impressive and I can't wait to see it track ready and up and running.Terrific stuff.

 

Cheers.

Allan.

[MikeTrice]

Does Plastic Magic leave a smear on the clear glazing when run down the edge of glazing bars for example ?

Just tested it on some Evergreen Clear Styrene. Yes it does leave a smear.

[MikeTrice]

Further parts cut in 10thou on the Silhouette, including the inner partitions, all 18 of them (as they are laminated from 3 pieces):

 

The only hand cutting (and even that I got wrong) was a 30thou rectangle for the floor, here seen with the ready laminated partitions in place:

 

First side attached:

 

Second side attached:

 

A laminated end comprising a 3 * 10thou partition and outer end in 10thou:

 

Ends fixed in place:

 

End panelling attached:

 

The resulting body which has worked out quite robust:

 

[allan downes]

Mike, that is sensational, you've taken the art of coach building into another league and have achieved what was once an almost impossible undertaking and something that was very specialised and that only a very few people could ever achieve  to the standards you have shown here.

 

You and JCL have really started something !

 

Amazing.

 

Allan.

[pointstaken]

Allan is most definitely right. Means I'd better stop sitting on my footplate pass, looking at RMWeb and looking at the machine, and "do somefink wiv it". Also thanks to JCL for bringing the machine to my notice and all those others who have published their efforts. Some rather splendid workmanship on here.

 

Dennis

[JCL]

Hi Allan, thanks very much!

 

It was great to start this thread and then hand on the baton to master modellers who are taking all of this to a new level. I'll keep sticking my oar in (especially when my software license turns up), but I can't wait to see what other people will do next.

 

Running a B&B in a ski resort at Christmas means I've not picked up a scalpel (I still have one) or paintbrush for a while, but the armchair modelling continues apace.

 

Mike, your coach is looking fantastic! The pictures show your progression very clearly, and I won't be surprised if other people get inspired to have a go as well based them. What are your plans for the area below the sides?

 

I hope you all have a happy and healthy new year.

 

Cheers

 

Jason

[MikeTrice]

Also thanks to JCL for bringing the machine to my notice.

Agreed. Without his initial input my work would just be vague dreams.

[MikeTrice]

What are your plans for the area below the sides?

I am curious how much I can produce using the machine and 10thou plastic so I am going to try w-irons, springs and axleboxes all from styrene. Should be viable. Might use some internal compensating units from some bloke called MJT.

[MikeTrice]

Roof laminated from 3 layers of 10thou using offcuts from the large sheets left after cutting. I needed a suitable former to use. Ahh Bisto to the rescue (just make sure the lid stays on!):

 

The roof after curing and trimming:

 

The previously machined profile ribs (laminated 3 * 10thou) fixed in place:

 

Needs a little extra trimming but getting there:

 

 

[JCL]

I am curious how much I can produce using the machine and 10thou plastic so I am going to try w-irons, springs and axleboxes all from styrene. Should be viable. Might use some internal compensating units from some bloke called MJT.

Same here.

 

I did manage to put together a test "cradle" of W irons fixed to a pivoting base before work stopped, and it was pretty sturdy. The wheels were turning well, and because the dimensions were exact, it wasn't difficult for me to line everything up. I'll be using [ section for the solebars though seeing as I have some exactly the right profile. I'll put the file up that I used later today if anyone's interested.

[MikeTrice]

Jason, I have a confession. I only discovered your blog by accident yesterday even though you include it in your signature. Your experience of cutting w-irons is what makes me think I can get away with it, My biggest problem is lack of good prototype information for the coach in question. So far I have been working from the coach diagram only.

[Colin parks]

Roof laminated from 3 layers of 10thou using offcuts from the large sheets left after cutting. I needed a suitable former to use. Ahh Bisto to the rescue (just make sure the lid stays on!):

IMG_4617.JPG

 

The roof after curing and trimming:

IMG_4618.JPG

 

The previously machined profile ribs (laminated 3 * 10thou) fixed in place:

IMG_4624.JPG

 

Needs a little extra trimming but getting there:

IMG_4629.JPG

Hi Mike,

 

We have seen a vision of the future!  That last picture is remarkable.  In fact, there are quite a few remarkable pictures.  Andy G sent me some trial pieces of panelling cut with a silhouette machine, but yours is the first coach I have seen assembled.  The crispness is on a par with etched sides and to my mind, plastic sheet is a more versatile medium that brass (when the solvent is applied sparingly!)

 

The use of such a machine puts just about any prototype coach within reach of most modellers for a modest outlay.  The potential is enormous: anyone who can write the cutting files could build up a library of stock to be built in the future or even sell downloads of particular coaches to those of us who lack the skills to do that.

 

All the best,

 

Colin

Edited December 29, 2013 by Colin parks

[allan downes]

Mike.

 

It's looking better with every post - brilliant workmanship.

 

Cheers.

Allan

[Branwell]

Inspirational stuff. So much so I've just gone and bought a cutter - got a good deal at Ryman thanks to being an existing customer - and have started digging out some Furness Railway coach drawings.

[MikeTrice]

Colin./Allan

Thank you for your comments. A month ago I would not have thought I could achieve something like this. Jason's introduction of the Silhouette cutter changed all that. There is no great skill involved other than being able to perceive how the various laminations might work. Even those I have had to modify in the light of expereince, something the Silhouette makes easy to cut alternative designs. Interestingly a etched coach kit is what £40 plus? The Silhouette allows virtually any coach to be produced for the cost of around 3 sheets of styrene so hopefully will pay for itself quite quickly.

 

As far as craftmanship is concerned, yes you have to be able to use computer software to produce the cutting files but I find that far easier (and more accurate) than doing things by hand. The only other 'skill' is being able to laminate the various layers together in alignment and for this I do struggle, however good lighting and a magnifier help. As has been said, once you have a drawing you can produce multiple copies.

 

At the moment we are still pushing the machines to see what they are capable of, which is why I don't feel too guilty hijacking Jason's thread ;-)

[uax6]

I've been working out that effectively if you only cut 10 coach sides, the coach body comes out at £10 each, dirt cheap!

 

It's fustrating trying stuff out to see what works (I'd rather be building the coaches!) but once it's cracked, it will be a winner and the world is your oster!

 

Now whos going to be the first to produce a van?

 

Andy G

(whos just put some pics up on his thread of a slightly wonky coach!)

[nick_bastable]

I've been working out that effectively if you only cut 10 coach sides, the coach body comes out at £10 each, dirt cheap!

 

It's fustrating trying stuff out to see what works (I'd rather be building the coaches!) but once it's cracked, it will be a winner and the world is your oster!

 

Now whos going to be the first to produce a van?

 

Andy G

(whos just put some pics up on his thread of a slightly wonky coach!)

you called done this a couple of years ago

 

 

a 2mm experiment

 

Nick

Edited December 29, 2013 by nick_bastable

[uax6]

Wow, what machine was that with?

 

Andy G

[allan downes]

Mike.

 

It would be interesting to know - once you have all the techniques mastered of course - just how long it takes to build an average coach, complete with paintwork.

 

As you probably know, buildings are my forte and I can almost scratchbuild as fast as I can assemble a kit, but this is all down to familiarity with ones subject - and apart from which, my kit building leaves a lot to be desired !

 

Cheers.

Allan

 

PS :was Andy referring to your coach as 'wonky' ? If so, sue !!!

[uax6]

Oiw Downes!

 

I was referring to my wonky coach here:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79446-coach-bodging/page-3

 

I wish my coach was like Mikes.... ;-{

 

Andy G

[MikeTrice]

I wish my coach was like Mikes.... ;-{

Your next version might be.

[nick_bastable]

Wow, what machine was that with?

 

Andy G

done with my original craft Robo since upgraded to a silhouette  which works much better 200gm card laminated

[JCL]

Mike and everyone, hijack away! The more the merrier.

 

I've noticed a spike in ownership in the poll at the top, has anyone else had a chance to have a go?

 

I can compete on wonky ones. Interesting we have all been thinking about 6 wheel coaches. I wonder what that means?

 

 

Here's that Cleminson file I was talking about. It's just a few things that I'm trying out. The bases for each axle are on the right, and there are three laminations for each. The ones with two circular holes are to test the difference between having the pivot on one edge or in the middle of the axle.

 

cleminson chassis 2a.svg