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Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 5:52 pm
by mymodeltrain
The wood train station building I built 5 years ago nearly comes to an end; the wood got rotten to the point things are going to fall apart very soon. So now, I am planning for another structure; this is my plan for a multiple building block that I assimilate from Holland buildings; it will be about 20 x 44 inc. I am contacting people for a laser cut on plexiglass. More updates will be on the way later.
plexibuilding.jpg
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Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 9:58 pm
by bazzer42
Impressive planning there, puts me to shame!

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 11:26 pm
by IanC
I agree with Bazzer that loks impressive. I must admit I don't know how it goes together but I certainly look forward to seeing the build and finished building.

Ian

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 3:50 pm
by mymodeltrain
IanC wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 11:26 pm I agree with Bazzer that loks impressive. I must admit I don't know how it goes together but I certainly look forward to seeing the build and finished building.

Ian
Thanks for the comments; but I am still working on it. In the past, laser cutting people accepted pdf file but now they need a vector-based file. I have CAD software but it would take a long time to draw as I am not a professional in this aspect. Fortunately, I found Fiverr offers such a service, and Madelemara (https://www.fiverr.com/madelemara; madelemara289@gmail.com) helped me with only $20. Attached figure he did for me within a day. I was impressed.
Plexiglass.jpg
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Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:28 pm
by tom_tom_go
Impressive, and it will certainly last against the elements.

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:28 pm
by mymodeltrain
mymodeltrain wrote: Sat Jun 02, 2018 3:50 pm
IanC wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 11:26 pm I agree with Bazzer that loks impressive. I must admit I don't know how it goes together but I certainly look forward to seeing the build and finished building.

Ian
Thanks for the comments; but I am still working on it. In the past, laser cutting people accepted pdf file but now they need a vector-based file. I have CAD software but it would take a long time to draw as I am not a professional in this aspect. Fortunately, I found Fiverr offers such a service, and Madelemara (https://www.fiverr.com/madelemara; madelemara289@gmail.com) helped me with only $20. Attached figure he did for me within a day. I was impressed.
Plexiglass.jpg
I was busy for traveling in the past days; but I had spent a few minutes a day to look for laser cutting companies. One company, you may not want to know the name, asked ~ $700.00 when I sent him the pdf fiel and he said he needs to spend time to draw it. Then, I hired Fiverr people to sketch the buildings in dxf file and sent to him again, and this time he asked the the cost of laser cutting and material, altogether ~$1,000. I guess he didn't remember me who contacted him just a week ago. Anyway, Pololu in Las Vegas, NV charged me totally for the job $122 ($88 for laser cutting, 34 for 3mm-thick plexiglass, dimension 20 x 44 inc). I am sure this is the best deal among many companies I contacted so far. And they are also very easy to accept the files. Just let you know, in case if you need to do similarly.

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:42 pm
by mymodeltrain
mymodeltrain wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:28 pm
mymodeltrain wrote: Sat Jun 02, 2018 3:50 pm
IanC wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 11:26 pm I agree with Bazzer that loks impressive. I must admit I don't know how it goes together but I certainly look forward to seeing the build and finished building.

Ian
Thanks for the comments; but I am still working on it. In the past, laser cutting people accepted pdf file but now they need a vector-based file. I have CAD software but it would take a long time to draw as I am not a professional in this aspect. Fortunately, I found Fiverr offers such a service, and Madelemara (https://www.fiverr.com/madelemara; madelemara289@gmail.com) helped me with only $20. Attached figure he did for me within a day. I was impressed.
Plexiglass.jpg
I was busy for traveling in the past days; but I had spent a few minutes a day to look for laser cutting companies. One company, you may not want to know the name, asked ~ $700.00 when I sent him the pdf fiel and he said he needs to spend time to draw it. Then, I hired Fiverr people to sketch the buildings in dxf file and sent to him again, and this time he asked the the cost of laser cutting and material, altogether ~$1,000. I guess he didn't remember me who contacted him just a week ago. Anyway, Pololu in Las Vegas, NV charged me totally for the job $122 ($88 for laser cutting, 34 for 3mm-thick plexiglass, dimension 20 x 44 inc). I am sure this is the best deal among many companies I contacted so far. And they are also very easy to accept the files. Just let you know, in case if you need to do similarly.
Here is the printout from Pololu,

Plexiglass building prior to laser cutting.jpg
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Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 11:19 pm
by Peter Butler
I have been watching this thread in the hope I might find something I can understand.. so far that hasn't worked! I am way out of my technical comfort zone with this project and need some additional information about your plans. As far as I am aware Plexiglass is clear stable material which you appear to be using as a base for construction whilst, at the same time, cutting away the areas which require clear windows.
I would be interested to know what you will use as a surface layer to imitate stone/stucco etc. and what agent is suitable to bond those materials together?
I'm sure you have thought this out already but I am completely lost!

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:04 am
by mymodeltrain
Peter Butler wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 11:19 pm I have been watching this thread in the hope I might find something I can understand.. so far that hasn't worked! I am way out of my technical comfort zone with this project and need some additional information about your plans. As far as I am aware Plexiglass is clear stable material which you appear to be using as a base for construction whilst, at the same time, cutting away the areas which require clear windows.
I would be interested to know what you will use as a surface layer to imitate stone/stucco etc. and what agent is suitable to bond those materials together?
I'm sure you have thought this out already but I am completely lost!
Peter,
I will use a combination of colors to paint 7 buildings. On the lower parts of the buildings, I may use brick stencils to generate brick walls. Before spray painting, I would use sand paper to rough up the surface for better adherence. This is the other plexiglass building I made before.
0317172000a.jpg
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Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:50 am
by Peter Butler
Thanks for the explanation, I think I am more understanding of your intentions now. I guess the windows will only be scribed on the main frontage to indicate accurate positioning?
Looking forward to more.

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:05 pm
by mymodeltrain
Peter Butler wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:50 am Thanks for the explanation, I think I am more understanding of your intentions now. I guess the windows will only be scribed on the main frontage to indicate accurate positioning?
Looking forward to more.
I already have the window/door frames, so these cutting were measured slightly larger than the frames so I can insert them in latter. The punch-out parts will be re-inserted in the back to make them like window shields.

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:34 am
by mymodeltrain
mymodeltrain wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:05 pm
Peter Butler wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:50 am Thanks for the explanation, I think I am more understanding of your intentions now. I guess the windows will only be scribed on the main frontage to indicate accurate positioning?
Looking forward to more.
I already have the window/door frames, so these cutting were measured slightly larger than the frames so I can insert them in latter. The punch-out parts will be re-inserted in the back to make them like window shields.
I want to update, I just received the building front today from Pololu, it's very large and nice. They wrapped it very careful and in a professional manner. I try to fit some of the window/door frames in to see how it looks. Hopefully, the weather is dry during the weekend so I can start spray painting.
On plexiglass.jpg
On plexiglass.jpg (120.29 KiB) Viewed 7298 times

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:21 am
by IanC
That's really impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops. I still can't imagine the finished building, but I do admire your use of (to me) a new material and techniques.

Ian

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:28 pm
by jim@NAL
Very impressive

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:52 pm
by mymodeltrain
IanC wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:21 am That's really impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops. I still can't imagine the finished building, but I do admire your use of (to me) a new material and techniques.

Ian
Thanks, I have a general idea how to do it, but not everything; so step-by-step idea will evolve during the process. This is how Pololu sent me the material; as requested, they send me back everything; I can re-used the punched out parts for window glass; unfortunately, I order opaque plexyglass, but I think it is still ok to use as close/dark windows for some, not all to generate real situations.
Pololu Plexiglass.jpg
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Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:29 pm
by mymodeltrain
mymodeltrain wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:52 pm
IanC wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:21 am That's really impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops. I still can't imagine the finished building, but I do admire your use of (to me) a new material and techniques.

Ian
Thanks, I have a general idea how to do it, but not everything; so step-by-step idea will evolve during the process. This is how Pololu sent me the material; as requested, they send me back everything; I can re-used the punched out parts for window glass; unfortunately, I order opaque plexyglass, but I think it is still ok to use as close/dark windows for some, not all to generate real situations.
Pololu Plexiglass.jpg
Some updates with the spray painting during the weekend. It turned out not to be easy since spray painting using the cans created so much pressure that caused the stencils lift up. As the result the resolution is bad. I tried two times and I gave up. Then, I decided to use the airbrush (Iwata Eclipse). My hypothesis is that the pressure is much weaker and it is controllable, thus the resolution will be improved; and I used the stencil with airbrush before; it just requires more preparation and labor. In fact, I found out the Eclipse airbrush got clogged somewhere in my last use, during the cleaning process I dropped one of the small screws on the floor and I have no way to find it. So I decided to order a cheap Badger airbrush today. I hope my theory works.

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:08 am
by IanC
Sometimes a simple paint job can be so frustrating. Especially airbrush work. I've often spent longer setting up and cleaning than painting. Acrylics really try my patience sometimes with clogging.

Ian

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:46 am
by mymodeltrain
IanC wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:08 am Sometimes a simple paint job can be so frustrating. Especially airbrush work. I've often spent longer setting up and cleaning than painting. Acrylics really try my patience sometimes with clogging.

Ian
I agree, that is why I didn't want to use airbrush to begin with; I tried to find a simple and quick way. But now as no other choice available, I return to use airbrush. The preparation and cleaning is time consuming for airbrush; further, I also have to design a negative flow booth since I do it in my garage.

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:37 pm
by IanC
mymodeltrain wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:46 am
IanC wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:08 am Sometimes a simple paint job can be so frustrating. Especially airbrush work. I've often spent longer setting up and cleaning than painting. Acrylics really try my patience sometimes with clogging.

Ian
I agree, that is why I didn't want to use airbrush to begin with; I tried to find a simple and quick way. But now as no other choice available, I return to use airbrush. The preparation and cleaning is time consuming for airbrush; further, I also have to design a negative flow booth since I do it in my garage.
I use acrylic and enamel paint. With acrylic I mix my own thinners using IPA, water and add flow retarder and flow improver. I get the best results by making a very thin mix and slowly building up lots of coats. I don't particularly like airbrushing with acrylic, but for some things it's the best option.

Ian

Re: Plexyglass buildings

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:13 pm
by mymodeltrain
IanC wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:37 pm
mymodeltrain wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:46 am
IanC wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:08 am Sometimes a simple paint job can be so frustrating. Especially airbrush work. I've often spent longer setting up and cleaning than painting. Acrylics really try my patience sometimes with clogging.

Ian
I agree, that is why I didn't want to use airbrush to begin with; I tried to find a simple and quick way. But now as no other choice available, I return to use airbrush. The preparation and cleaning are time consuming for airbrush; further, I also have to design a negative flow booth since I do it in my garage.
I use acrylic and enamel paint. With acrylic I mix my own thinners using IPA, water and add flow retarder and flow improver. I get the best results by making a very thin mix and slowly building up lots of coats. I don't particularly like airbrushing with acrylic, but for some things it's the best option.

Ian
For a small project, I guess buying ready-to-use paint for airbrush would be economical . I didn't know that we have to mix many things in the paint formulation, thanks for sharing. BTW, what is IPA?