teetrix

Interior is done... Maybe a little bit simple, but for me it does the trick: Interior done by Michael Carl, on Flickr Michael

Hi John, thanks for the compliments. I use 1mm birch ply for the outer body, 0.8 mm birch ply for the doors and 1mm MDF for the rest. The sheets are usually 250x500 mm. The window frames, luggage shelves and some other parts are made of 0.5mm cardboard. Michael

The project began harmless and innocent with a surplus coach roof... Fellow Alexander asked me for a body for it and provided the dimensions. Not another railcar, but a second/baggage would be fine. I made a first attempt, but didn't like it... AlexKasten3 by Michael Carl, on Flickr The second attempt was a little on the posh side, but much better: AlexKasten1 by Michael Carl, on Flickr And then, one evening, the project, developed a momentum of its own... I created a second, a second/mail and a baggage/mail., plus fronts for railcar/driving car use. I began to dream of a three unit DMU: AlexKasten2 by Michael Carl, on Flickr Then the drawings had to be broken up in parts, and the lasercutting took place. The parts for the first one: aP1300208 by Michael Carl, on Flickr The first parts assembled: aP1300247 by Michael Carl, on Flickr The mounting of the interior started: aP1300250 by Michael Carl, on Flickr Michael

There's a drawing of the transporters in "Narrow Lines Extra No.2" published by the 7mm NG Association, which should be easily adapted... (hint, hint...) https://7mmnga.org.uk/sales/publication_details.php?ref=NLE02 Michael

​I can only second that. It can help to keep the costs low, especially at the beginnings, when there are only few participants. And it's nice to have more people to talk with and have a play... We organize our Stromberg meetings mostly with a standard gauge arrangement along the walls of the hall and the narrow gauge in the middle. Even an interchange is possible, the Leek&Manifold with its transporters comes to mind... Michael

It's 1/45 (german 0 scale). The wall is from 2mm ply, steps and supports from 1mm MDF. Here's a general view of the current state of play: aP1300032 by Michael Carl, on Flickr Michael

Although Lightburn still doesn't connect, I'm able to work with Laserweb. One of my ongoing projects is a van with a brakeman's seat. The steps have fine supports, and I'm quite pleased with the laser: aP1300031 by Michael Carl, on Flickr Single support at the right. And, please don't breathe btw :-) Michael

TurboCAD is a nice and affordable CAD software, but I've found ViaCAD is more intuitive. You can download trial versions of both and test which suits your needs better: http://www.turbocad.co.uk/?rs2=AQ_UK_PP_GO_SE_TC_BRAND&rs4=AQ_UK_PP_GO_SE_TC_BRAND&keyword=turbocad&filter=&gclid=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu8HOjNfB2QIVxJkbCh1IEQAPEAAYASAAEgJsaPD_BwE http://www.punchcad.com/trial.aspx Maybe the free DoubleCAD software is worth a look too: http://download.cnet.com/DoubleCAD-XT/3000-18496_4-10907980.html Michael

Thanks for the supportive likes ;-) It seems to be a driver issue with Windows 7. Darkly labs and Lightburn are still working on it. Here are two projects which were lasered before. The shed's wall is painted now: Seitenwand Schuppen by Michael Carl, on Flickr Fellow modeller Alexander Krauth started a "mixed media" project, consisting of 3D printed "frame work" and lasercut double walls. This is how it looks after assembling and painting: OOw 201 lackiert by Michael Carl, on Flickr Michael

Bad news from me... I purchased Lightburn, installed it and copied the new firmware, as recommended. After that it seemed as Windows 7 lost the drivers and refused to install them new. Lightburn didn't connect to the emblaser. There is already a thread at the Darkly Labs forum, but none of the actions recommended seemed to solve my problem. I switched back to the old firmware and Laserweb, which works at least. It seems to be a rare issue, with only me and another user affected. I hope the helpful people at Darkly Labs and Lightburn find a solution soon... Michael

A Stepcraft is on my wishlist too in the coming years. So thanks in advance for all experiences, hints and tips you will hopefully post here! Michael

Thanks for the tipps - I will try it without AirAssist. Michael

Maybe a picture shows better what I mean: aP1290520 by Michael Carl, on Flickr Michael

I f I cut windows from cardboard, I get always small pieces which are blown away by the air assist and sometimes laying in the way of the laserbeam. I used small 0.5mm bars to hold the pieces in place, but those can't be cut properly with the scalpel after lasercutting. Any suggestions? Michael

My Emblaser had lost a few days with customs clearance (What do you expect from Germany ?), but even then I had it within 8 days. Michael

It's 1mm MDF, Martin Michael

May I join the circle? I still have to get the grips to laserweb and emblaser 2, but managed to fabricate the first useful part... aP1290502 by Michael Carl, on Flickr I really look forward the new software, as laserweb is indeed awful... Michael

Maybe out of your budget, but IMO a reasonable quality for a reasonable price: https://www.stepcraft-systems.com/en/products/desktop-systems They are available as RTR Machine or Kit, the latter saves you a considerable amount of money. There are choices regarding the software and the spindle motor. Have a look at "tools" too! Michael

The materials list for the emblaser 2 is out. It can even cut 1.5mm styrene... https://darklylabs.com/emblaser2/ The current pre-order 50% off pricing is ending "as the sun sets" on 19th February 2017, according to darkly labs. Michael

Hi Petri, an interesting approach for special conditions! Judging from the clean skillful work I assume you are working in a metal machining company ? We use an aluminum frame under a 2x3 meter "transition module". It connects two module heights of 1,30m and 1,05m, and is split in 4 parts. The frame supports the weight without problems and the adjustment is very easy. I think transporting/assembling/adjusting and disassembling a wooden construction for this purpose would be much more difficult... Michael

Poplar I think, and a plant called medium density Michael

Hi, I'm in for an emblaser2 with air assist I didn't choose the filter unit because I will build one myself. A filter mat will be placed before the activated charcoal filter to catch the coarse dirt, lefting only the fumes for the charcoal. I see a very special christmas coming this year... with a scent of burned wood... Michael

Hi Chris, the marquetry is superb. Maybe even a way to raise funds for the hobby... Sorry to hear about the flooding. I hope you was able to rescue the items your heart is set on, all other things can be replaced. Good luck with the insurance companies! Michael

Nick, I think the wagon will even look better if the wood grain follows the line of the planks instead running across them... just a thought Michael

They look superb, Giles! Michael