Build a Dust-Free Model Railroad Layout

Dust is a never ending battle for a model railroader, but not anymore! I’ll step you through the numerous techniques I’ve implemented on my model railroad to show you just how I’m stopping dust from ruining the fun I plan to have running this layout.
If you want to laser cut the dust filter unit you will find the project files here: www.tinkercad.com/things/4sm4...
You can even modify the dimension so if you have a smaller fan or filter you have the ability to change the shape and design of the model.
This is a HO scale model railroad but this videos is not scale specific, these step will work for just about any setup, even if you a military modeller and want to make a dust free display cabinet, just one of these fans on top will give you that opportunity, and your friends will be asking, how do you keep your models looking so good 😄

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

For anyone interested, I have written a companion article on my website going through some of the design and decision making process for dust proofing the layout: www.bouldercreekrailroad.com/articles/dust-proofing-a-model-railroad Also don't forget that if you'd like to help support the channel you can become a patreon, I post updates so you'll know whats coming: www.patreon.com/luketowan

[@tombuck]

The magnetic latches are brilliant! Anytime magnets are involved, it instantly makes something feel futuristic 😁

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Ha ha gotta agree with that! I’m always looking for ways to use magnets 😅

[@IMRROcom]

Looks good, Dust is no ones friend. I live in the South West Deserts of Arizona. I have also spent 21 years of my life working inside intel FABS aka HUGE Clean Rooms. If you can not find a Hepa filter, Use a paper Vacuum bag cut to cover the output or your air handler. Or, if it is not too late, use a square car intake filter or maybe a car inside cabin filter those are both designed to removed dust. The Paint filter is for paint not dust.

[@mikerubynfs]

I use spray booth filter in a room dust filter, it collects a lot of dust! Seems like more than the filter that came with it.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah didn’t think of that! It would be pretty easy to add a cut out piece of vacuum cleaner bag to the filter setup, I could add it to the bottom of the spray booth filter? That way the larger particles should heat caught by the filter and the finer dust will get caught by the vacuum bag. My thought about the paint filter was that paint is fine and dust like 😉 but I’ll try adding the vacuum bag to the filter material.

[@Ardy6]

Luke that was hilarious! "in reality, you have like 2 min" so true bro!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Ha ha yeah it's kinda frustrating!

[@melkitson]

Nice one Luke. This all looks very professional.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, yeah I'm pretty happy with how it's looking 😊

[@ATrainGames]

Great stuff as always, Luke! I would make one suggestion, that I think would be super helpful for an operations-based layout. Instead of the small pegs, make a small notch shelf to support the plexiglass shields when they're in place. When removed for an operations session, these slots could then be used to hold car cards, if you use those for a car-forwarding system. :) Thanks for sharing!

[@bilplaymo6121]

Always clever and neat construction...and Always motivated to try your technics ! many thanks Luke : )

[@MrUnkownGuyAC]

Love the video Luke! This is one of those projects I feel like I wouldn't bother to film, let alone describe the steps but your video telling skills are just amazing. The whole build just to keep the dust out was just plain neat.

[@michaelricks1618]

Very, very helpful and practical guide to making a dust-eliminating layout cover. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@zekeriyakazanci9509]

I wish you could see the smile on my face when I receive the notice that you uploaded a new video. :) Thank you very much for the great and inspiring content.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

My pleasure 😊 Really glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@ClarkeDesign]

Very nice touch with the top and bottom black frame lines - really looks professional.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah I'm very glad I did the lines, I was almost going to leave them but so glad I did the extra effort to add the lines!

[@TheUncleRuckus]

Quickly becoming my favorite build yet!! 👍👍

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Awesome! Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy watching 😊

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video Luke. I like the idea of the clear plastic on the front of the layout. By having the clear plastic on the front will also mean that nothing should fall off the layout and go on the floor. I like the dust fans too. - Nicholas.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

ha ha true, I do plan to remove the clear panels when I use the layout. But if I just want a train to run around in circles while I work in the garage I could do that with the panels up as well 😉

[@paparoysworkshop]

These videos are always informative.

[@petermuller608]

This is looking really nice!

[@VliegerNL]

VERY tidy. That’s a good looking setup! Excellent

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks 👍 I wanted to make the entire thing look nice, I just hope I can get the scenery done just as well 😊

[@TheCombatartist]

You should be employed at a museum! Exhibition designer and fabricator - your attention to details and materials and methods knowledge is a rare combination. Brilliant.

[@breakshot7451]

yep. when i watch his vids, i realise what a tinkerly butcher i am;)))

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks so much, I wanted to make the entire layout look like a piece of furniture, it's going to be looked at a lot so I think the extra effort to make the exterior look good is worth the it 😉

[@colinmansell3524]

What a great idea Luke. Thanks for the tip.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries Colin, glad you found it useful 😉

[@wynorawishum5860]

You are amazing. You come up with excellent ideas and implement the seamlessly. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you so much! glad you enjoy the videos 😉

[@stuartkorte1642]

Another excellent execution. Great idea.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Stuart 😊

[@jurgensch.679]

Unbelievable...you are the best! Greetings from Germany and good luck for your future work! I will continue to follow it with great pleasure.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you so much 😀 Time will tell if it is up to the job, I'm pretty confident it will keep the layout clean.

[@onnomulder9775]

Another useful 'how to' Luke!!! Thank you very much for sharing. Cheers Onno.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Onno, glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@dandiehm8414]

This guy thinks of everything. Well done, Luke!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, glad you liked it 😉

[@donaldlembo1263]

Outstanding as usual, great ideas. Thank You.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, glad you liked it 👍

[@bruceames6332]

This is another amazing idea !!!!Bruce in Minnesota

[@indisputablefacts8507]

Really appreciate your cost-per-year analysis.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah it's often something that gets overlooked, and considering I wanted to leave these running I thought it would be good to know just how much it was going to cost. I was really surprised at how cheap they are to run, I was expecting something more expensive than that!

[@twocvbloke]

It's like a miniature cleanroom now with the filtered positive-pressure air feeding into it... :D

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yep, time will tell how effective it is 😃

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant work, Luke! It looks fantastic! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, yeah I'm really happy with how it has turned out so far 😊

[@huberer98]

What an awesome idea!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate 👍

[@jamesa7506]

That's a very nice display box! Well done to you my friend.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you, it should look great once the scenery is done 😉

[@clxudzYT]

This is a sick idea!:D

[@toweypat]

Very clever!

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Don't be surprised if you see me implementing this on my layout. Great job!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

ha ha I hope you do 😉 and make sure you film it as well, I'd love to see your take on it. It's always good to see things from different perspectives!

[@dedasdude]

nice touch on the moving wheels on the logo during the intro!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah, took ages to create that logo, glad you appreciate it 👍

[@Space_Trucker]

so insanely cool, really impressive! can't wait to see more updates!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, yeah I can't wait to get started on scenery 😉

[@stevenlamb3971]

Echoing what everyone else has said, nice job! This gives me some ideas for my own layout.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Steven, that was the hope for this video, to give people some ideas on what they could do as well 😉

[@Nashvillain10SE]

Great series!!! 😀👍

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks, glad you like it 😉

[@Ruinstad694]

That looks really good. It likely won't matter for a long time however I may have designed the air scrubbers so that the fans were on the clean air side of the filters to help lend more life to fans themselves. Keep them clean so they last longer overall.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, yeah that's a really good point! The covers I used for the blades have an extra little section with a foam filter. I could put those back on as an additional filter, that way the fan would be in the middle between two foam filters for extra dust filtering 😎

[@user-jh5lt2uv8v]

The top gun of modellers what a craftsman, wish I had your skill 🙏

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, I don't consider myself that good, just take things one step at a time and have gotten a fair bit of practice 😉

[@user-jh5lt2uv8v]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad subscribed 👍

[@BarneySaysHi]

Luke? Instead of using a popsicle stick, would it be an idea to put the filler into an IKEA zip-loc bag, cut off a small corner and squeeze it out into a tight space like at 7:58 ?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

lol, I've got a few comments about that! I didn't even think of it but it's a great idea! Next time 😉

[@pkilznah5353]

Yes! Love it when there’s a new Luke video ✊🔥🔥🔥

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

thanks mate, hope you enjoy it 😊

[@fasalalbana4913]

Luke is a near perfectionist, amazing workmanship. Well done and thank you for sharing your knowledge.highly appreciated, god bless

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you very much! Really glad you are enjoying the videos 😊

[@monsvillerailways5736]

Nice work Luke. You're right. Having a layout in a garage is indeed a dusry place, especially in our part of the world. Happy Modelling Mon

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Mon, yeah it's full of dust, I'm constantly vacuuming the floor in their! I'm confident it will help keep the layout clean!

[@josefbuckland]

Always a beauty. Think I saw you in the quanta’s link plane flying over my place in Hervey Bay. Anyway way I did a video very early in my series regarding keeping dust out I started by sorting the room out but not just for the toys and the trains you understand if you would’ve taken a wander over to my shed, it is fully insulated lined, and even though they’re still isn’t accessible roller door it includes such features as a customized brush system that ensures that no nasties can get in but most importantly, at minimize the dust we’re going on some five years and I’m happy to say I haven’t even had to touch my Model Railway room yet. I’m going to give it a progressive clean anyway, but the good news is I don’t need to worry about any of those problems but I do appreciate you taking the seriousness that other models simply don’t care about half as much and seem to enjoy, vacuuming and dusting, because they obviously have too much spare time on their hands with the new generation as a fellow enthusiast we are, you’ve got this fantastic video as always another Hollywood blockbuster.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

LOL, yeah having an entire room/ shed being dust free is the ideal situation! Unfortunately my set up doesn't really lend to doing that with me Garage... maybe one day, I do plan on converting it into a proper room with windows and sliding doors. Ha ha that could have been me, I flew to Bundaberg the other week 😄

[@josefbuckland]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad a smart man like you has it all under control I don’t doubt it as long the room that houses my model railway is free from real life snakes it’s sealed up good enough for me. Never had an issue or seen one yet and hope To keep it that way lol.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Fan-tastic, Luke. Jokes aside, a very clever way of keeping a layout from turning into a dusty wasteland. Cheers.

[@michaelimpey1407]

Luke, really great idea. Dust is such an issue. Cheers, anhd stay safe, Michael

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Micheal 👍 I'm always dealing with dust in the garage, I guess I do a lot of filming for KZbin in there and cutting wood and other stuff. I really hope it's up to the job! Stay safe as well 😉

[@pierreboone568]

this is really een nice serie, thanks.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, glad your enjoying the videos!

[@monham5041]

Good job 👍

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks 😉

[@Scanlaid]

Dude!! Thank you for the warning about laser cutting vinyls. It makes total sense now knowing, but it is a dangerous mistake I absolutely could see myself making.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries 😉 It's easy to make that mistake, I was lucky enough to double check a list of materials that are ok and not ok to laser cut.

[@mikeseba7817]

Thank you for sharing!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries, glad you liked it 😉

[@3DPDK]

Try "Frog Tape" masking tape. It has low adhesion like the blue tape, but the edges won't blead. Don't ask me why or how it does it, but it really is a better, cleaner edge masking tape.

[@richardquebec5850]

Superbe idée surtout quand tu as 3 Chats et autant de litière sa fait du dégât assurer, mais ton idée est pas mal dispendieuses, Merci beaucoup je vais l'essayer c'est sure!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah it's not exactly cheap, but sometimes a bit of expense is needed unfortunately. Glad you liked it.

[@heller127]

I can’t wait until you start building each seen

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah me too, should be fun 😉

[@untoldforce]

It would be great to see an update after 6-12 months to see how well this works!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I'll definitely do an update video 😉 Maybe after 6 months, I've got some small square panels sitting both inside and outside the enclosure to compare the difference between the inside and outside in terms of dust. I'll be keeping an eye on those as time goes by 😎

[@user-zv7pc4px2w]

Impresionante, saludos desde Ecuador

[@_apf12_]

Love ya vids Luke!!!!!❤

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Awesome, thank you 😊

[@mtele85]

You are next level 🎉❤

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you 😊

[@othmarbrunner9639]

All I do to deal with dust is have the room kept with the right temperature, in summer I have a small fan blowing across of the layout to keep it nice and cool, keep the room finishes like any other room in the house, I drag a boxcar as part of consists with a small piece of wood riding on the rails I maybe clean my track once every two to three years

[@jamesdoing]

Those guns!! 💪

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

LOL, I went to the gym just before doing the thumbnail shoot 😄

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

And the best part is that when the little plastic people arrive into the layout, they'll all stay nice and cool in the hot Aussie summer. They might all get a bit chilly in the winter though.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

lol, I'll have to get some tiny people with jumpers on 😃

[@user-pu7iu3qo5g]

A cake decorating plastic squeezebag would be a great help applying that filler

[@CityPlannerPlaysChair]

I've always liked clear spraypaint as the first payer, just in case it goes under the tape. Not sure if that would still ruin the pvc though

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I'm sure it would work 😉 I just went light on the first coat and crossed my fingers for this one.

[@rrob-xx7xb]

Beautifully done! I like the idea of positive pressure, but I think constant airflow, especially from the "contaminated source," is actually going to make for more dust on the layout than just having the air static. I wouldn't think there would be a lot of dust ingress through the vertical cracks in the panels. Also, that filter floss isn't really ideal for air filtration; it's more for aquariums/ponds to catch larger suspended solids. All this being said, I don't think it's a terrible idea, and your implementation is top notch as with all your work!

[@edcew8236]

You can also buy dowels in 36" lengths at the larger "hardware" stores, maybe at smaller ones.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Oh cool, yeah I just had these on hand and found them just right for what I needed 😉

[@cnp602]

Nice job. You could also use magnetic tape for the sheets, It would seal and hold the top edge.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I did consider the magnetic tape but it was hard to find one that was strong enough. Most of them were quite weak, the ones I could find anyway, I'm sure there are better quality ones to be found 😉

[@cnp602]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad Yes they are not strong however with two long strips and the force only pulling the strips directly apart you have almost the perfect application for the them. I usually see them used to hold thin clear sheets for ads and posters (and in the seals on fridge doors)

[@HenryLoenwind]

Nice. But I've found that filter surface area is the difference between a constant nuisance and something with a lifespan that's about the same as the device it's mounted to. For this construction, I'd have made a layered roof: Visual (e.g. sky cloth), structural with plenty of holes, filter, hollow space, and airtight cover with the fan. This would give a filter area that's nearly as big as the module.

[@roguea987]

You're going to regret not putting the filter in front of the fan. Dust is going to cake the grill and the fan blades. Those would have to be periodically (monthly) removed and cleaned otherwise they will look an eyesore and diminish performance.

[@UKChrisC]

With the fans I presume to get the positive pressure all four will be intake rather than exhaust. You won’t be able to stop dust unless you run it like a clean room which it isn’t (and nor would you want that) So the most likely thing is that the pressure will push all the dust against the inside of the plexi screen obscuring the view and creating a lot more cleaning. If you run it as negative pressure while it may pull dust into the track area it would also pull it up and exhaust it and keep the areas cleaner as a whole.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

That's a terrible idea! If you look at scientific labs they always have their clean rooms at positive pressure. EDIT: I should say positive/negative pressure, so there is an exhaust but it is overall running at a positive pressure. That's why there are filters, the filters catch as much dust as they can and they get a periodic clean. Sure I may have used a filter not exactly designed to remove the very fine dust but it's easy enough to use a HEPA filter instead which is designed to catch fine dust particles. The filter I used is for paint, which is quite a small particle size... If you think using a fan and filter is a bad idea, what is your expert opinion?

[@tomaspuodziukynas5361]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad as someone who designs cleanrooms for a living: you did everything correct. Only things I would have done differently in this home build, instead of spraybooth filters I would have used in combo with cheap vacuumn cleaner replacement HEPA filters.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

@tomaspuodziukynas5361 thanks Tomas, I've actually made some changes to the unit, like you mention I've put a HEPA filter instead of the spray booth filter and I also put a foam filter in front of the fans, so the larger dust gets caught by the foam filter in front of the fan which hopefully will keep the fan cleaner and then the smaller stuff is caught by the HEPA filter 😊 in writing an updated article for my website that will show the changes.

[@Rain2bird]

If you want to avoid visble underspray use a clear coat, or same color as the panel

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah I did consider that but Rustoleum is quite a thick spray paint so I figured it should be fine as long as the first coat is nice and light 😉 And it work well.

[@AmericanMilitia]

Hey brother, I love your channel. I am quadriplegic so I cannot do what you do I have tried. I got kind of far with some help but unfortunately that section of layout is lost. Let me know if you ever talk to fans.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate, glad you're enjoying the videos. It's good to know even with your disability you can still have fun with model trains. I try to respond to comments as often as I can. Thanks for watching 😉

[@lcnevar]

Fan should be after dust filter, you will have to clean them often and accumulating dust will make them noisy. Trust me I'm building positive pressure custom liquid cooling PCs for years.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks for the tips! 😉 The covers I used for the fan actually have a separate part with a filter on it, I can put those back on so I'll have a filter in front of the fan as well as the filter behind it.

[@davecrosson5018]

First comment! Love this series Luke!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Glad you enjoy it! 😉

[@evilspoons]

3 volts sounds extremely low for a PC case fan unless you've ordered the more unusual 5 volt variants, or some of a few with extremely low startup voltage. I would be worried about them getting slightly worn in and then stalling and destroying themselves instead of starting up when you switch them on. My advice would be to use PWM-controlled fans, hook them to a 12 volt supply, and use a fan controller board to specify the RPM instead of controlling them by voltage... or make extra sure the mininum voltage is above the fan's start-up voltage specification. (This is usually in the 5 volt range.)

[@user-sm3xq5ob5d]

The magnets could also be buried in the PVC/PMMA (whatever you actually used. They are only 3mm while your "glass" is 5mm. So no clean up on the outside just the paint to be added. Saves the building of the holders. Which I would have no means to do except using two strips instead of individual pieces.

[@thelordofspyro]

ah nice a positive pressure chamber

[@basmodels]

Would it be an idea to fill the gaps between the foam and rails bed with a construction type acrylic sealer/putty? I mean the ones available in large solid tubes which can be applied with a pistol like grip. A cheap branch is just as good here. Saves you time in mixing a home made filler, can be applied more easily from the tube and is finished with a finger. Just an idea. Great video as allways!

[@cuebj]

Quite interesting to get an ego boost. Not a modeller but found this channel, and similar, when recovering from heart attack in 2020. Fascinating to see the craft and art shown by so many modellers, eg Everard Junction. But... as a carpenter, woodworker, heavy-duty diyer, I'm also struck by how brilliant modellers are not so good at the real-life sized construction and woodwork. At least I can do something well. There are similar gaps between fine furniture making, carpentry for housebuilding, and joinery for the doors and windows

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah, we pick and choose where we put our effort, as long as in the end you can hide the mistakes it should be fine 😂

[@HangardelModelista]

🤩👌

[@BD12]

So if I just run 20 of these, I'll have a dust free house!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yes 😎 Might cost a bit more than $5 per year though...

[@chessie2003]

Hi Luke, big fan! Are you working on any more videos for this layout?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah it's still being worked on, I've got a video for the layout not too far away. One more Simpsons diorama video (actually I've got Ned Flanders house coming out tonight and then a final Kwik-E-Mart video after that) and then I'll be back into building the layout 😉

[@WickedMuis]

I know you built manual boards for the switches, but would love to see how you build a DCC system with signals and all for a modular (variable) layout

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I will probably do that down the track 😉 Just figuring out how it will work and ordering the parts I need for signaling.

[@Andreas-fe3hx]

A piping bag could help with filling those gaps.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

lol, a few people have mentioned that! Totally didn't even think of it, it's a great idea!

[@smashino]

I'm curious, as someone who doesn't know very much about model trains, what is the purpose of the fans blowing air inside the boxes? Wouldn't it be fine with just the boxes to prevent dust, what needs the air inside? Great video and great attention to detail!

[@cooperised]

Dust will always tend to drift into any area. The "roof" on the layout will help but the fans ensure that there's always a gentle flow of clean air blowing out of the layout, which makes it harder for the dust to drift in.

[@The_Dude96193]

you can youse acetone to glue acrylic

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah, didn't know that! I had some weld on 3 which is for acrylic but I ran out! It's not easy to get at short notice where I live.

[@ollien3359]

Great video, Luke. Did you feel the need to add rubber grommets to the fans to stop any vibrations? I would love to see you work on some 1/32 slot car track scenery one day!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I did have the rubber grommets but I found the window seal material (Woodland Scenics Paving Tape) was spongy enough to absorb any vibrations. In saying that you could use both and have it be very noise free 😉 The grommets I had made it a bit difficult to slide the fans in and out from the contraption I made...

[@Buddha-eb5yl]

I use a File for this Work 💪👍

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

nice 👍

[@DrWhom]

when are we going to get to the actual model railway stuff, like trees and buildings and lighted signage and stuff?

[@wojciechfranaszek852]

Nice job. I would change one thing. I would seal the structure and maintain a slight underpressure inside. Then no dust will fly inside. Now small particles will fall in and settle on objects over time. But it's certainly better than no protection at all.

[@justananonymousperson7011]

for filling the gaps with the gap filler; would it be easier to apply the filler using a cake piping bag then using a stick or finger to finish pressing the filler into the gap?

[@Hoaxer51]

I was looking to see if anyone else had that idea, I’d use a gallon plastic baggie, snip a corner, and just throw it away when you’re done.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

ha ha yeah, I wish I had of thought of the! It's a great idea!

[@tonyboloni64]

Mind the Gap.

[@Objektiv_J]

How are you powering the fans?

[@cnp602]

Most electrical tape have a glue that becomes a sticky mess with age, So maybe consider an alternative to seal the filter😬

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Yeah good point, I might have to change it 😉

[@LawrenceTimme]

I wouldn't use clear plastic panels. They scratch very easily. Id get proper glass panels custom made. They are cheaper than most people think.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Until one of them accidentally falls and smashes all over the ground... I think I'd rather deal with a few scratches 😉

[@MalinOfSweden]

Couldn’t you just have used the table saw to make the notches in the dowels?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I could have 😉

[@user-sm3xq5ob5d]

very nice project! But somehow I am confused: You told us that you are using PVC (polyvinyl chlorid) and then you talk about acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate = PMMA) ? What is it? I have used styrene. (PS = polystyrene)

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

It's both, the clear sheet is PVC and the black material that I used in the last cutter is acrylic.

[@robfenwitch7403]

Looking on the "bright" side, once the deadly gas has taken effect, you won't be worried about the negative impact on your laser cutter optics... 😁

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

well that's one way of looking at it 😂

[@Pentross]

So weird seeing you hand make all those support pins when you have a laser cutter or 3d printer you could have made them with

[@RFC3514]

1:23 - If only you had a 3D printer, eh? 😉

[@thomasclavinjr.3817]

Is that your twin brother in the thumbnail? That’s cool you guys dress alike 😋

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

LOL yeah he's a bit camera shy so you won't see him very often 😆

[@Mike__B]

While true acrylic doesn't "glue" together well due to being smooth, it you use acrylic solvents it welds the pieces together as if they are one, and sure there are some nasty smells no worse than your foam cutting with a hot wire and any ventilation you have for that should be fine.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah I did have some Weld-On 3 but I ran out and it's hard to get at short notice where I live, but yes that would probably work better in the long run.