Laser cut set track

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Busted Bricks
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Laser cut set track

Post by Busted Bricks » Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:00 pm

I figured I would try to make some cheap set track curves on the laser. The track has tabs and there are slots in the sleepers so it is easy to line up and weld. The track section in the picture was quickly bent to shape by hand but future sections will have the rails passed through my bending rolls to get a consistent curve. It is 1/8th of a 1500mm diameter circle and is cut from 3mm mild steel. Even at full commercial pricing it works out at only £4 per section. If made from 3mm stainless steel it would be app. £5.50. Of course the cost to me is somewhat lower as I'm cutting on my own time.
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Re: Laser cut set track

Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:39 pm

Are you able to use stainless steel?

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Re: Laser cut set track

Post by Busted Bricks » Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:40 pm

tom_tom_go wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:39 pm Are you able to use stainless steel?
Yes, I can cut that as well. I have a TIG welder for joining the track.

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Re: Laser cut set track

Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:42 pm

I think with stainless steel you would have a market for this, great work.

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Re: Laser cut set track

Post by Busted Bricks » Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:49 pm

tom_tom_go wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 5:42 pm I think with stainless steel you would have a market for this, great work.
I doubt that. Shipping will be a killer and by the time it's been welded the price would be close to Peco track.

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Re: Laser cut set track

Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Feb 24, 2019 9:43 am

Stainless steel looks better.

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Re: Laser cut set track

Post by Busted Bricks » Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:30 am

What I meant was, I doubt there is a market for track from either material. Unless you are in Denmark and willing to weld the track yourself it would become too expensive compared to commercially available track. It works our cheap for me though as a DIY project. :D

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