Laser flatbed

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:52 pm

I've been having a play with the laser and made this little flatbed with load. The flatbed is made from MDF. Looks fine with a coat of primer. Wheels are MDF/ply. Oilite bearings and silver steel axles.

Sir Clothem Cap · Post by **Sir Clothem Cap** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:24 pm

Very professional Job there.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:27 pm

That looks excellent!

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:37 pm

Time will tell how MDF wheels hold up but is suspect that unless I do 1000 miles a year they will be just fine. Pennies to replace them anyway. I'm going to try cutting some from acrylic when my order for that arrives.

I should probably make some covers for the bearings so they look more like proper axleboxes.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:47 pm

The covers on the bearings would just top it off nicely!

Knowing nothing about laser cutters, do you mean to cut the acrylic with it? Can you cut clear acrylic? (Can you cut clear acrylic spectacle lenses???)

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:44 pm

Lasers excel at cutting acrylic. Mine will cut up to 8mm thick in one pass.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:50 pm

Excellent glad to have another LASER bod on board, looks neat work, I really should make a few more simple things that I can rattle off rather than these projects that last months!
Interesting idea with the MDF wheels, how will they cope with points I wonder.

Some interesting ideas there also with the integrated frame/axle boxes which I may have to steal!

Pendo Pilot · Post by **Pendo Pilot** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:00 pm

Narrow Minded:47032 wrote:The covers on the bearings would just top it off nicely!

Knowing nothing about laser cutters, do you mean to cut the acrylic with it? Can you cut clear acrylic? (Can you cut clear acrylic spectacle lenses???)

I was just thinking exactly the same! Hmmm.

Wagon looks cracking indeed, maybe the wheels will warp rather than wear. :-)

Mr ACME · Post by **Mr ACME** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:30 pm

Narrow Minded:47032 wrote:The covers on the bearings would just top it off nicely!

Knowing nothing about laser cutters, do you mean to cut the acrylic with it? Can you cut clear acrylic? (Can you cut clear acrylic spectacle lenses???)

I make spectacle plates on the lathe because I can produce square edges.

I make rolling stock kits on the CNC laser because a edge which isn't square doesn't matter. The dimensional tolerances the CNC laser can cut to are impressive on paper.

You can see some pics of my slate wagon kit at

http://picasaweb.google.com/home

Mike Ousby

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:15 am

Mike, why don't you think laser cut lenses work?

Link doesn't work, just points to Picasa web and not your folder.

Mr ACME · Post by **Mr ACME** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:28 am

Busted Bricks:47088 wrote:Mike, why don't you think laser cut lenses work?

Link doesn't work, just points to Picasa web and not your folder.

Try them. I found as I posted that I wasn't getting exactly square edges. The laser cutting beam is not parallel, which don't matter with plywood.

I've just checked out the link and its working.

Try

http://picasaweb.google.com/10198299644 ... lateWaggon#

Mike

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:36 am

I understand what you mean now. I can't think that would be much of an issue if they are inserted into a frame.

I like your kit - looks good.

My take on the flatbed is to use tabs and spreaders to make it easier to build and ensure good alignment. Something a child could build in a relatively short time and get a good result. Also it is intended to be very cheap - around a fiver.

90733 · Post by **90733** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:36 pm

Are you intending to sell these?

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:51 pm

90733:47141 wrote:Are you intending to sell these?

I will if there is any interest. I can offer them for only £5 each with the MDF/ply wheels (they may be replaced with acrylic). They have proper oilite bushes and silver steel axles.

I don't have any track/points and won't get any until next week at the earliest so I can't check how well they run but I don't foresee any problems.

Crate kits can also be made available if there is interest.

Michael

90733 · Post by **90733** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:17 pm

Busted Bricks:47153 wrote:
90733:47141 wrote:Are you intending to sell these?
I will if there is any interest. I can offer them for only £5 each with the MDF/ply wheels (they may be replaced with acrylic). They have proper oilite bushes and silver steel axles.

I don't have any track/points and won't get any until next week at the earliest so I can't check how well they run but I don't foresee any problems.

Crate kits can also be made available if there is interest.

Michael

I'd defo be interested!

Sir Clothem Cap · Post by **Sir Clothem Cap** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:21 pm

A flat wagon that good for a fiver

I'm in too 2 please

spooner · Post by **spooner** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:58 pm

I am interested in them at that price.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 5:12 pm

Count me in too

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:27 pm

I've been working on a companion for the flatbed wagon. This is very loosely based on a Planet loco. It's my ambition to be able to sell an electric loco for £15-20.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:30 pm

It's my ambition to be able to sell an electric loco for £15-20.

Complete? (c/w chassis and motor) or just the body and as a kit of parts or built?
I'm very intrigued - it's looking cool bythe way8)

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