David Holman Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Laser cut? Be interesting to read more about how you do this, given that (whatever the method), windows are very time consuming and hard to get consistent. These look the business! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 As previously mentioned prior to Autocad/laser cutter the only way of making windows was drawing them with a pencil and cutting them out with a scalpel.Time moved on and i got access to AutoCad which greatly improved the situation for drawing the windows consistently for cutting out by hand which still took forever. Due to the amount of windows on Barrow Street I was able to acquire a laser cutter which speeds up the time of cutting and with greater precision . The time to produce a set of windows has moved from cutting by hand with a scalpel to the time spent drawing with Autocad and how to proceed. Over time you learn that most item we want to produce for your layout is made up of layers and windows are the same and most windows are either two or three layer per window especially for up and down sash windows in older buildings. I have attached the drawings of how windows are drawn in three layers for the makeup of the different type of window(see below) which are drawn in two different colours for the laser cutter. i.e green for the first cut and purple for the last cut.Normally when I start i measure the overall width and height of all the openings and due to small differences with hand cut window opes in the buildings I average the size for each type of window to be made and then proceed to drawing. All the windows on Barrow Street are cut from 320gsm straight cut folders inserts for filing cabinets which are a good quality and the different layers are glued together with 3M spray mount adhesive and when completed are painted and then fitted with 1mm perspex glazing with spray mount.Below I have attached the makeup of two types of windows as set out above and the finnish photos of the finished article. I hope this helps. regards warb 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scahalane Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Loving the work Warb. I'm applying a similar process for making my windows. I use autocad to design with and then use .25mm plastic sheet cut with a diecutter built up in layers. I'm always interested in new techniques and was wondering how much a laser cutter similar to yours would cost and would it cut styrene sharply or would it melt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Scahalane The cutting of styrene on a laser cutter should not be done because of the toxic fumes and possible damage it may do overtime. The unit i have access to is at the expensive end and is a industrial unit and the other problem is the temp that it cuts at. there is no problem cutting acrylics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenderg Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Aye styrene gives off arsenic or some other victorian poison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broithe Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 There's no arsenic in polystyrene and burning it properly at high temperatures is relatively safe.. ..but in a 'domestic' situation, it would produce styrene* gas, which will attack your nervous system directly and is definitely worth avoiding. Styrene, like a lot of benzene derivatives, is (possibly) carcinogenic, but definitely toxic. When polymerised into polystyrene and used at 'normal' temperatures, it's probably OK - unless you plan on living for a 1,000 years, something else almost certainly will get you first. Even warming stuff up in the microwave when it's in a Styrofoam container might be best avoided. * It's what the 'burning plastic' smell is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Fascinating. Thanks Warb. The latest edition of the Gauge 0 Gazette contains an article on laser cutting, which backs up what has been said already. However, a few things not mentioned include: The author uses a 35 watt CO2 laser, which is water cooled so in addition needs a tank of water and a pump to circulate it. You can buy one for about £2000, plus VAT, but derivatives can be found on Ebay for about £400, apparently The laser tube lasts about 1000 hours and costs £250 to replace Materials that work well with a laser cutter include cardboard, Perspex [acrylic sheet], but NOT styrene/plasticard. Mylar [polyester sheet] cuts well, but can be difficult to glue. MDF and plywood both work well, which is why there are a fair few commercial laser cut kits available now. However, as Warb says and very much along the same lines as 3D printing, first you need to know CAD, which takes time and effort to perfect. Clearly worth it, when you need the amount he is using! The alternatives include contacting the likes of York Model Rail, who produce a wide range of laser cut windows, doors etc and who will do custom jobs too. Schools and colleges may have laser cutting equipment that you might be able to access, while the author of the Guild article, Bob Gledhill has written a book on the subject. Laser Cutting and 3D Printing for Railway Modeller; published by Conwood Press ISBN 978 78500 226 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayner Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 It may be easier to find a CNC Profile Cutting business rather than jumping in at the deep end with buying a laser profile cutter. Businesses that carry out laser or water jet profile cutting for industry may be prepared to take on one off and low volume work for individuals, a company like York Modelrail https://www.yorkmodelrail.com/ is probably the best bet option for an in-experienced designer. http://www.cnclasercutting.ie/materials/ http://cirruslaser.co.uk/cutting-services Members of our local Large Scale modelling group have had plasticard coach sides cut using water jet cutting for approx $20 for a pair of sides and have also used water jet cutting rather than CNC milling for profile cutting parts in metal for large scale locos. CAD takes time to master AutoCAD or SolidWorks are professional level programmes which is reflected in their pricing, Draftsight is a more reasonably priced option for 2D drafting for the casual designer, while Sketchup is widely used for 3D modelling by amateurs and professionals alike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Some of the windows completed and fitted to island villa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 As with the thread roundhouses in ireland here are photos of the same location on barrow street under construction 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Mock of canopies for houses 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 Canopies fitted and painted 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRENNEIRE Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Ah Jasus........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 And Mary, Joseph, the donkey and all the angels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 To close off this weekends work some doors/curtains/blinds fitted 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broithe Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Anybody got a drone to check if the dodgy slates are in the right places? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 22 minutes ago, Broithe said: Anybody got a drone to check if the dodgy slates are in the right places? Strange but true, I used a drone to check our roof last winter after a big storm, and found two damaged slates. btw, fab buildings as ever on barrow street 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share Posted February 21, 2019 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 island villa ready for installation on barrow street 6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Tasty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Signals installed and working on barrow street 10 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
201bhoy Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 Unreal!!!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broithe Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 25 minutes ago, 201bhoy said: Unreal!!!!!!! But, somehow, much more than real... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share Posted March 19, 2019 forgive the quality of the photos as i am only using a ancient fuji camera 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broithe Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 hour ago, warb said: forgive the quality of the photos as i am only using a ancient fuji camera No Hail Marys will be required for your full absolution, my son. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 Update of buildings on barrow street. 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Words fail. So real and reeks of atmosphere. You should be the new set designer for LucasFilm or ION productions next Bond movie. You could out do Ken Adam's famous sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaYSidE Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 the 23rd leaf on the right hand tree, is it outta place, love the gable end weathering me thinks 200 pigeons on a white stained roof would fit perfect then i asks me self would he dare graffiti the walls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Classy. Very classy. Well done sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 Graffiti on the way 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaYSidE Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 no need, spray it then remove it, much tastier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scahalane Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Fantastic as always. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 other views of greenore terrace 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnthebox Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Bloody hell I think I left the hall light on....! Awesome, totally awesome 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warb Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 Photos of grand canal quay/boston sidings in progress 6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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