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David Fairfield
06-01-2008, 3:04 PM
Just finished this 1/87 scale model of the old Boston & Maine RR station at Weston, MA. The model is assembled entirely from paper, cardboard, acetate and plywood engraved and cut on the laser. I think it shows the sharp quality miniature work I can do on my 35w Epilog Mini 24, working off Adobe Illustrator files. I'm really pleased with it. :)

Dave

David Fairfield
06-01-2008, 3:05 PM
A few details. The window panes are cut from an ordinary manila file folder.

David Fairfield
06-01-2008, 3:07 PM
The ladder is cut from 1mm plywood. You'd think it would disintigrate but it holds together nicely, and can be flexed pretty far before uh-oh.

David Fairfield
06-01-2008, 3:11 PM
I'm most chuffed about the chimney. Its lasered from a single square piece of wood. Each side got a burn, I used a cardboard jig to hold it in the same place after each rotation.

Still trying to get the hang of the 3-D effect feature, but I think the texture came out really well, especially considering the microscopic size of each brick :rolleyes:

David Fairfield
06-01-2008, 3:18 PM
The bench design came out nicely too, the laser just cuts exactly what you tell it to. :p

Well thats all for now. Anyone else doing model work? If anyone has questions about miniature work I'll try and answer.

Dave

Tom Bull
06-01-2008, 3:35 PM
Very cool.

Darren Null
06-01-2008, 3:37 PM
That is incredible. We are not worthy! *Tugs forelock respectfully*

Skip Weiser
06-01-2008, 3:38 PM
That is just too cool, David. Extremely well done! Thanks for sharing.

Skip

Dee Gallo
06-01-2008, 3:49 PM
Dave, that is outstanding! Are the roof tiles individual pieces or is the 3-D pattern just that good? The chimney is fabulous - looks just like old time bricks with that rough texture, perfect! Your painting skills are pretty good too, on such tiny pieces. All in all an excellent job, thanks for showing it off!

cheers, dee

Pete Simmons
06-01-2008, 3:54 PM
Very Nice.

Robert Ray
06-01-2008, 4:01 PM
Very nice work David! I love all the detail!

I too have cut some B&M models. Here is a Laconia Built Buggy:
http://raybob.boche.net/projects/images/p912a.jpg

And here is a Narrow Monitor buggy, in N Scale:
http://raybob.boche.net/projects/images/p909h.jpg

Steven Smith
06-01-2008, 5:14 PM
Just finished this 1/87 scale model of the old Boston & Maine RR station at Weston, MA. The model is assembled entirely from paper, cardboard, acetate and plywood engraved and cut on the laser. I think it shows the sharp quality miniature work I can do on my 35w Epilog Mini 24, working off Adobe Illustrator files. I'm really pleased with it. :)

DaveFrom a former railroader, I'd say that's pretty nice. What program did you use to set up the cuts? I used to have a N scale setup and did a lot of scratch building, but my eyes made it more difficult to work so small. Nice work.

Ed Maloney
06-01-2008, 5:25 PM
Holy Crap! A very cool creation of the house! How long did it take you to cut and assemple the final product?

Kim Vellore
06-01-2008, 5:27 PM
Dave,
I did not know you were making models, Love your work the chimney looks very real. We got to meet and talk, I would love to see your model work. I am all into it too.I got my laser after I saw what Robert could do with his laser.
Here is a park bench for example ...
http://kimsartshop.com/images/BenchesOnCoin.JPG


these are using 1/64" plywood, card stock, Plastic. The bricks at the bottom is made by scoring card stock,

http://kimsartshop.com/images/PplStn3.JPG

The completed station

http://kimsartshop.com/images/PplStn5.JPG


Here with plywood and paper.
http://kimsartshop.com/images/DSC01200_Large_.JPG

End result... Every thing made with a laser, including the snowplough
http://kimsartshop.com/images/DSC01990_Large_.JPG

One more all made with a laser..
http://kimsartshop.com/images/DSC00040_Medium_.JPG


http://kimsartshop.com/images/LightCb8.JPG

These are only a few examples of things that I could do because of the laser.


Kim
Epilog 24TT 45 Watts

Rodne Gold
06-01-2008, 6:27 PM
All those models are wonderful......really excellent.
They look like they took a lot of time and thought and incredibly detailed effort.......Well done to all

Jim Dornon
06-01-2008, 6:43 PM
Very cool guys !

Roy Nicholson
06-01-2008, 6:45 PM
I'm very impressed.

With my eyes and hands the cway they are at the moment I can only dream about doing something like that.

But in my dreams they're pretty good.

Well done

Regards

Roy N.

Larry Bratton
06-01-2008, 8:00 PM
One word...WOW!

Anthony Scira
06-01-2008, 8:50 PM
BEAUTIFUL

May have to try something like that !

Who am I kidding I will leave that up to the real artists.

Just out of curiosity what are the general steps and how many hours does it take to create something like that ?

Rags Alan Ragland
06-02-2008, 4:27 AM
Please don't come to SoCal. If you do I'll have to give away my laser. These examples are incredible.
Dr. Rags

Mike Null
06-02-2008, 8:02 AM
Where have you guys been? That's remarkable! Come on and give us more.

Thanks very much.

Robert Ray
06-02-2008, 9:09 AM
Here's one for you all:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1501/1013.jpg

The coal tower, cabooses, loco tenders, water tower, and station, as well as the ties under the tracks are all laser cut, mostly from plywood, but the tender sides are rastered from black ADA sign plastic.

-Robert

Dee Gallo
06-02-2008, 9:47 AM
GET OUT OF HERE! That's impossibly fantastic! A far cry from the typical RR models I've seen. wow and wow. All three of you are doing a great job.

- jealously, dee

Doug Griffith
06-02-2008, 10:32 AM
VERY, VERY AWESOME!!!

Are you guys using the 1.5 lense?

"Terry Pless"
06-02-2008, 11:49 AM
I want to "Thank You" guys for posting these pic's. I'm more of a reader than a poster here on SMC so usually when I post a response you really hit a note ! These are Great Works of Art not to be confused with laser graphic's/work. I am very impressed ! Many people think that when the use of a laser/cnc is involved it is production work not art work, how wrong could they be. We use a mouse rather than a pin/brush and a beam of light as one of our tools, but the Artistic input is the same. I have a second "Thank You" the "you just don't know part". My wife is always complaining about all the time and detail I put into my work (even simple jobs), she say's I'm my own worst critic nobody looks that close but you, I tell her thats how I am, I want it right, even if I lose money on some jobs the quality always shines, and that sells more jobs. When I showed Her these pictures She was also so impressed she said "OK I'll Leave You Alone" and "you just don't know" how much help your artwork has been in my household. Thank you Again, Terry

Michael Kowalczyk
06-02-2008, 3:39 PM
Thanks so much David, Kim and Robert for posting with pics. AWESOME detail and execution. I bet many of us have seen stuff like yours on the big screen and did not realise it. It still amazes me what can be accomplished with simple materials, a vector software program and a laser. But the main ingredient needed is the creativity each of you have shown.
Thanks again for sharing but don't stop there, keep the coming.

Peck Sidara
06-02-2008, 4:47 PM
The details in these models are just simply amazing!

Ray Mighells
06-02-2008, 5:19 PM
Ditto what everyone said. Really GREAT work. Y'all must have real steady hands and the patience of Job. I know miniatures and railroading are really big; how far do you carry your art/craft?

William Desrochers
06-02-2008, 9:32 PM
That is awesome, nice job~!

David Fairfield
06-02-2008, 11:20 PM
Hey everyone, thanks for all the positive feedback!! :) It means a lot to hear good things from the laser pros here.

And its great to see some of the other miniaturists come out of the woodwork, too! :) I was beginning to think I was the only one doing scale miniatures here. You guys working in N scale are really pushing the envelope! HO is massive by comparison, great work there!!!

To answer some of the questions:

Its hard to say how much time went into it. As I'm relatively new to cutting model pieces on the laser, most of my time is spent figuring out how things should go together, and testing stuff that didn't work. With all the testing I did, I have about two more of these stations in the garbage pail! :o I keep thinking the next model project will go faster, but then I push the envelope so it takes the same time.

I started drawing a complete architectural plan of the station last fall. I then started translating those drawings into individual part drawings and cutting test pieces. Actual assembly of the finalized pieces was completed in about three weeks of spare time.

I'm using the standard lens that came with the Epilog. I read about the tighter focus lens, may give it a try someday, don't yet have the need.

The shingles are made from wide strips that look like saw teeth. Only the corner pieces are individually applied. I dont think the 3d feature would work well for that application but my next 3d attempt is a stone wall. I will post results!

Thanks again it really made me happy to read the posts here! :D

Dave

David Fairfield
06-02-2008, 11:31 PM
Hey Terry

I know what you mean about getting a thing done right. To a true craftsman, the pain of doing a shoddy job is worse than the pain of losing money on a good one.

But I'm really glad we could impress your wife! :D

Post again sometime
Dave




I want to "Thank You" guys for posting these pic's. I'm more of a reader than a poster here on SMC so usually when I post a response you really hit a note ! These are Great Works of Art not to be confused with laser graphic's/work. I am very impressed ! Many people think that when the use of a laser/cnc is involved it is production work not art work, how wrong could they be. We use a mouse rather than a pin/brush and a beam of light as one of our tools, but the Artistic input is the same. I have a second "Thank You" the "you just don't know part". My wife is always complaining about all the time and detail I put into my work (even simple jobs), she say's I'm my own worst critic nobody looks that close but you, I tell her thats how I am, I want it right, even if I lose money on some jobs the quality always shines, and that sells more jobs. When I showed Her these pictures She was also so impressed she said "OK I'll Leave You Alone" and "you just don't know" how much help your artwork has been in my household. Thank you Again, Terry

Darren Null
06-02-2008, 11:39 PM
Thank you. Dunno about anyone else, but you guys have definitely taken me back to school. THAT'S what we can be doing! THAT'S what the laser is capable of.

Thank you.

Kim Vellore
06-03-2008, 3:40 AM
Thank you folks for all the complements.
I got the laser specifically for miniature work and have been trying different materials to see how fine I can get with it. This forum has been great and has given me a lot of insight on materials and laser settings.

Dave, I have been making these models in Z scale, 1:220.
Ben (Animek) has also been making some great lasered wood houses and a member of this forum.

Here is an interesting story on pushing the limits with cutting fine parts:. I used to sit late night and work on a model and get all the settings right build them and the next day when I burn the same thing the whole model will be burnt to ashes, like the power of the laser had suddenly doubled and it was out of focus, so I redo the settings and get it to work but again at night it would not cut all the way through, for a while it messed me up, finally I realized the temperature of the outside was affecting it. I had made a box cover to the front of the laser where the air is sucked in and connected it to a duct outside so the warm air inside is not sucked out and the temperature and humidity fluctuations between day and night affected the cutting. Now I reduced the speed of cutting which seem to help, but I still need to have two settings one for summer and one for winter.

The time to make these models is proportional to the details and motivation as Terry said if you are keen on making it detailed it will take a long time. I have some models that just took a few hours and some I have been working for years and not yet completed, It is a hobby so I can afford do that.

I have been using 1.5” for most cutting and 2” for some rastering.



Here are some more pics, the bottom of this cart is made with a laser and this is one of them, that gets messed up between day and night. It is 1/64" plywood




http://www.kimsartshop.com/images/bullockcart1.JPG


This was my first project that I used Rob's laser to make 3D models by slicing.
http://www.kimsartshop.com/images/DSC03694_Medium_.JPG

Once built and painted it looks like this
http://www.kimsartshop.com/files/DSC07943.JPG

Here is some work in progress...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d7vaM5aG0Hw


Stage coach
http://kimsartshop.com/tmp/SC2.JPG

http://kimsartshop.com/tmp/ts2.JPG

Here I used delrin, paper, wood and plywood with some rastering
http://kimsartshop.com/tmp/ts18.JPG

This is just made with regular paper 3 layers rastered...

http://kimsartshop.com/tmp/new-2.jpg

Kim





http://www.kimsartshop.com/media/MOV00652.MPG

Robert Ray
06-03-2008, 10:17 AM
I always like looking at your stuff Kim! I wish I had more time for custom stuff, but I got sucked into feeding the masses with Z Scale items, so it's more business than hobby. Still I find time to slip a few projects in.

Here is my latest project, an NP Bay Window Caboose in Z, 1:220 scale:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1048/247.jpg

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1048/180.jpg

and here is the caboose I did just before this one:
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1048/246.JPG

I have a thing for cabooses!

-Robert Ray

Ben Levesque
06-03-2008, 10:57 AM
David
First, let me tell you that your HO station is really cool looking, great details, job well done, I really like it.

Second, I don’t want to steal your thread, but since everyone is jumping into the lake and asking for more, well here I go !!!:D

Just for clarification I just want to say that Robert Ray is the Guru who had thought “almost all of us” how to do stuff like this in Z scale.

Here’s a few of my structures using an Epilog laser.

A fire truck all made of maple lasered parts. (Z Scale 1:220)
The ladder rotates and extends, and the wooden wheels turns.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2410476061_4e5c636904.jpg

Dorothy’s house from the wizard of OZ! (Z scale 1:220)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1092/1456135972_a825078939.jpg

Billy’s house from the movie Polar Express, this picture almost look’s like an old Allstates insurance publicity from the eighties
(With Allstates your in good hands!!!:p) (Also in 1:220 scale)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2010766952_5057d2a0ee.jpg

An Athabasca CN caboose (Z scale 1:220)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/1445643466_063a79393d.jpg


A CP yellow caboose copied from an N scale (1:160) plastic caboose on the right.
This was my first lasered model (Z scale 1:220)
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/cp7.jpg

It would be a good idea to create a thread were everyone could show off their work on. (Just a suggestion ;)).

Ben

Dee Gallo
06-03-2008, 11:13 AM
Have any of you ultra talented people tried selling "3-D house portraits"? I used to do pen & ink, watercolors and oil painting for people and they are very popular, especially with people who have summer camps, hunting camps, vacation homes and such... plus they have $$$. I put one very small ad in Adirondack Magazine and got orders for a couple of years off that. People tend to keep those mags, like Sunset, Architecture Today, etc. I would think there is a market here. When I was building my own home, I made a scale model to see it more clearly, place furniture, stairs and windows, etc. Tons of people liked the model so much they wanted to make their own houses!

Just thinkin' - dee

Scott Shepherd
06-03-2008, 11:21 AM
Amazing, amazing work, thanks for sharing. You've all inspired me and I just completed making this with our laser ;)

Kim Vellore
06-03-2008, 1:22 PM
Amazing, amazing work, thanks for sharing. You've all inspired me and I just completed making this with our laser ;)

Haha...
Scott,
That's a beginners model, still a little off scale also need to add a little more details to make it look real, a good start though.

David,
I have been trying some 3D rastering and found Delrin and cast acrylic to work the best but need to make a mold from the master then use that for casting with plaster or hydrocal, because it is easy for painting. I am very interested in seeing what you come up with.

Kim

Bill Cunningham
06-03-2008, 10:18 PM
Good Grief!!! You guys must have eyes like freakin eagles, hands like brain surgeons, and the patients of the Dali Lama.. You gotta really love what your doing to accomplish creations like those.. I'm truly envious..

Ben Levesque
11-15-2010, 10:10 AM
Here's a latest creation, and follow up on the "Made on Epilog" thread.
It's the Field of Dream Farmhouse, in Z scale (1:220)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pRIhKr3K7cM/TOFIcEq6xNI/AAAAAAAAAIk/SiJTV-hlR98/s800/FOD_Pen.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5073600098_3a56901b22_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5145175363_ba30a10ebf_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/5145778586_9e1036fc39_b.jpg

Size comparison. :D
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pRIhKr3K7cM/TOFM7-3nevI/AAAAAAAAAI0/A0wTIJho2eA/s912/FOD_Pin.jpg

Ben

Robert Walters
11-15-2010, 10:55 AM
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a NINJA MASTER of CTRL+Z, or rather CTRL+ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ (Undo).
So I can pretty much draw anything if I try hard enough (and until I wear out the Z key that is).



But, what I pretty much suck at is gluing and painting...

1) How/what are are you using to glue the pieces together?
White glue? Wood glue? Crazy glue? double-sided tape? bubble gum?

2) How are you applying it?

3) using clamps? If so what kind/type/example/link?

4) Painting... hand or airbrush or ???

5) Where do you find electron microscopes cheap?!

Michael Hunter
11-15-2010, 11:17 AM
I think that Ben climbs the beanstalk and steals huge pencil's etc. from the giant's stationery cupboard.

Dan Hintz
11-15-2010, 11:36 AM
<whisper> If you build, they will buy... <cough cough> I mean <whisper> they will come...

Doug Griffith
11-15-2010, 11:39 AM
Once again, awesome. I'm sure you consider the Micro-Mark catalog fine reading just like me.

Ben Levesque
11-15-2010, 11:53 AM
FRICKIN AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a NINJA MASTER of CTRL+Z, or rather CTRL+ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ (Undo).
So I can pretty much draw anything if I try hard enough (and until I wear out the Z key that is).



But, what I pretty much suck at is gluing and painting...

1) How/what are are you using to glue the pieces together?
White glue? Wood glue? Crazy glue? double-sided tape? bubble gum?

2) How are you applying it?

3) using clamps? If so what kind/type/example/link?

4) Painting... hand or airbrush or ???

5) Where do you find electron microscopes cheap?!

Hi Robert
to answer a few questions to help you, (Mini clothes pins)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/5145192479_98dc1eb7c7_b.jpg
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/5145192479_98dc1eb7c7_b.jpg)
Glue is applied with no 2 tool on this image here. White diluted glue is use.
http://animekmodels.com/images/Drill_Tweezers.jpg

A few other clamps that I use
http://animekmodels.com/images/Clamps.jpg
(http://animekmodels.com/images/Clamps.jpg)
Yes micro Mark is a good place to find special tools :D
(http://animekmodels.com/images/Clamps.jpg)
More detail here on painting, Airbrush and hand brush is use.
http://animekmodels.com/Caboose_Tips.html


Ben

Bruce Volden
11-15-2010, 2:17 PM
Allright, but there's something missing here that I looked for and looked for and I STILL didn't see!! Where is the big illuminated magnifying glass hidden:D I KNOW you can't just assemble stuff like this without steady hands and great vision. I most recently inlaid some intricately cut (celtic knot) cherry into a quilted maple guitar hanger I made for my oldest boy. I had so much trouble getting things set due to my poor up close vision. Even the reading glasses didn't entirely help:mad: Oh well, since I'm on here I better google a pair of lighted, wearable loupes---------any recommendations??

Bruce

Ben Levesque
11-15-2010, 3:59 PM
Very funny Bruce!:D

My most tiniest job using the laser were those little ships
made in 1:1250 scale

No magnifying glass involved, just my regular "getting older" reading glasses.:p

Stern-wheeler
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4535891187_76286da1ae_b.jpg

Frigate
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4668028966_0a71ce7806_b.jpg

Ben

Dee Gallo
11-15-2010, 4:02 PM
Ben, you astound me.

Bruce, try watchmaker's loupes, they save me from time to time, not that I do anything as unbelievably small as Ben's work.

Ben, did I say you astound me? wow.

:) dee

Michael Kowalczyk
11-15-2010, 4:48 PM
AWESOME WORK BEN!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

So do you do this for $$$$ to put food on the table or just part time $$$$ Hobby or just because you can?
If yes to either of the $$$ ?'s how much do you charge for something that small? Are they one of a kinds or do you mass produce?

Thanks again and ...

Frank Corker
11-15-2010, 4:58 PM
Wow that is tiny stuff! Must be difficult for those little people with all those pens, pins and coins about.

Martin Boekers
11-15-2010, 5:21 PM
WoW! If you set one down how do you ever find it?

Now is that really your thumb or did you get that at a shop
for clown supplies?:p

I'm surprized the company that makes the laser you use hasn't
ever asked for you to set up a small display at one of the trade show for
them.

Marty

Ben Levesque
11-16-2010, 5:39 PM
Thanks everyone for the nice comments

Michael K.
They are kits to assemble, but I can't say more here since it becomes marketing announcement, even if it is a hobby of mine. So they don't put food on any table ;), because it barely pays for the laser spare parts.

Martin B.
No they don't display my stuff for trade shows, but they've done an nice article in their case study link.

Ben

Ray Uebner
11-16-2010, 7:22 PM
WOW thy are grate. I have a friend that is putting a train room together and am sure he would love to have a few of them. Did you draw the plans yourself for is there a source for them? I love doing those types of things just do not have the know how on how to draw them. Thanks for sharing those with us.

Ben Levesque
11-16-2010, 9:06 PM
Hi Ray
Yes I draw them myself, from scaling photo's front, back and side views, it take quite a few hours to note down the measurements, then it is trial and errors assembly, Field of Dreams took me 2 years of development because it is done in my spare time only. we are about 7 or 8 laser guys (oh yes! and girls too) in the world of Zscale railroad that does those kind of kits.

I wish I could tell were to look regarding the girl who laser those kind of kits too, but it would be advertisement.

Regards

Ben

David Fairfield
11-17-2010, 5:53 PM
Cool to see this thread back on top. Here's something fresh out of my Epilog, a late 1930s gas pump with illuminated globe, in 1/87.

Dave

Darryl Jacobs
11-20-2010, 2:01 AM
David,

O M G! :eek:

Same with you Ben!!


I love doing the tiny stuff as well and have been asked to put a few kits together for some local clubs. So far I am making the big cash in this industry.... I must have made $25 dollars so far and after only days in front of the computer to get the designes right for cutting and then about 5 to 10 trials to cut perfectly....

Seriously though, that is some very nice work...


Darryl

David Fairfield
11-20-2010, 2:43 PM
Small furniture.

Darryl Jacobs
11-20-2010, 3:51 PM
So how many pieces is the desk made out of or did you have some success with 3D engraving? Looks to consistant to be 3D engraved.

David Fairfield
11-21-2010, 9:18 AM
Hi Darryl

The desk is made from a bunch of separate pieces. I use dollhouse furniture plans as a guide, simplifying where necessary.

I've been experimenting with 3d, it has its uses but not where the surface requires a very smooth finish. That said, I've got samples of 3d engraved hardwood that might actually work. 3d seems to be relatively uncharted territory among us laserers.

Dave






So how many pieces is the desk made out of or did you have some success with 3D engraving? Looks to consistant to be 3D engraved.

David Fairfield
11-21-2010, 9:30 AM
Also 1/87 scale and dollhouse inspired.

Chuck Stone
11-21-2010, 9:30 AM
3d seems to be relatively uncharted territory among us laserers.

I use it quite a bit, but you're right.. wood might not be the best medium
if you need a smooth surface. But I've had great luck using corian and
then making silicone molds from that to cast resin with micas or metal
powders (cold casting). Not something you'd want to do for a one-off
piece though. And the hardest part is creating a 3D file to begin with.

Ben Levesque
11-22-2010, 8:22 PM
Cool to see this thread back on top. Here's something fresh out of my Epilog, a late 1930s gas pump with illuminated globe, in 1/87.

Dave

Simply amazing your illuminated gas pump. Simply amazing.:D

Ben