Note : This Topic is a continuation of the discussion from http://lakes-pages.com/gauge3.co.uk/G3Forum/index.php?topic=251.0
Mark,
I would be very interested in seeing your kit.
It would be useful to examine the materials and techniques they have used, possibly with a view to finding a laser-cutting service to produce British carriages along similar lines.
IanT is contacting the manufacturers of the OcCre kits to ask whether they would consider producing G3 carriage kits of a British prototype and if they are not interested, there are alternatives.
There is an Australian supplier (who supply to British market) who does make models of British stock and offer bespoke laser cutting services. http://www.brunelmodels.com/LaserCutting/laser.html
I have in the past considered asking them to quote for a carriage.
Their pricing sounds sensible and they sell kits of some Aussie carriages (illustrated on their 'home' page)which are laser cut from timber as well as offering the bespoke service in various types of plastics.
Regards,
John.
I have been considering some Midland coaches made from laser cut parts.
I haven't got as far as getting anything drawn up yet, but I did contact Brian Lewis (of C&L) - he has just started producing laser cut buildings in 7mm scale - see http://www.finescale.org.uk/show_page.php?pid=120 (http://www.finescale.org.uk/show_page.php?pid=120) - and laser cut track bases in various scales - http://www.finescale.org.uk/inc/prodimg.php?IName=photos/t7a4.jpg&IDesc=0000001142&IWidth=550&IHeight=197 (http://www.finescale.org.uk/inc/prodimg.php?IName=photos/t7a4.jpg&IDesc=0000001142&IWidth=550&IHeight=197).
Just noticed he is also doing GWR awning s & barge boards in 10mm too - photo (http://www.finescale.org.uk/inc/prodimg.php?IName=photos/t10sgwrab.jpg&IDesc=0000001275&IWidth=550&IHeight=329)
We got as far as establishing that he would be interested in producing G3 coach parts, but no further as he needs a sample CAD file to provide an indication of cost / time.
Could be worth following up for anyone wanting GW buildings in G3 too.
Andy
Take a look at this - it is an IP Engineering laser cut kit...
Ivan Prior makes these G scale kits and they are great, allowing the builder to paint as you go as the carriage sides are built up with layering.
Andy,
Laser cut parts are flat, and Midland carriages are not. I'd be interested to hear how you intend to curve the sides (and ends?) and also how you will make the beading - cutting a separate layer results in an extremely fine fret of wood which I suspect will fall apart before you can apply it to the model. The real beading was usually 3/8in thick - about 0.5mm in Gauge 3. I had a layer made this way in stainless steel but it took several attempts as the first ones curved very slightly on the table and wrapped themselves around the cutting head with artictic and costly results! Also, for beading it is a very long cut and therefore very high price.
I suggest multi-layer etched brass would be better and cheaper in the long run.
Mike
To get the beading to go round corners, like on the duckets of the carriage pictured above, the instructions say to soften the wood in warm water, to make it plyable enough to go round the curve of say... a tumblehome. Alternatively the roof was from individual planks which could be then filled lightly to make it smooth, given you will then have the correct curve.
BR
Mark
I must say they look very nice for what they are intended to represent.
How thick is the beading Mark?
Mike
John C - can you move the relevant posts here into a new topic in the 'Rolling Stock' section - I think we have moved away from discussing road vehicles a little!!
Mike W - my thoughts were to use the David Jenkinson method (I assume you're familiar it) but with wood instead of plasticard.
I was assuming (possibly incorrectly) that the type of laser cutter used for wood, card, etc. and a max size of about A3 is considerably cheaper than those that cut metal sheet over a metre wide - so the cost of cutting should be less too.
I'm only thinking about 6w stock, not 57' bogie vehicles.
Maybe the idea will be a complete failure - but I intend to persue it a bit further before admitting defeat!
Andy
The beading is probably around 1mm thick, maybe slightly less. I'll bring the model along to the AGM so you can all have a better look at it. I have attached a close up so you can see the curly roof, ducket and balcony end.
BR
Mark
Andy,
I think you are right. There is a chap I've seen at exhibitions who comes from the York area and uses a smaller laser machine to cut plastic and wood. I am sure he could cut (say) 20 thou Plastikard or card for the beading and since you can use CAD the cost might be quite attractive. Must admit to being no great fan of the Jenkinson construction method which relies on plastic, but in wood it should be good. You still have to curve the sides of course.
Mike