Incredible for Railway Modelling | 💥 AlgoLaser Alpha 22W Laser 💥

[@melkitson]

Looks wonderful and I am sure it would have many uses in addition to model rail. Now to find a spare months worth of pension!

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Yeah, not a cheap bit of kit, but very good. It would make a great entry level business laser for making crafts/kits to sell.

[@stormbowman7148]

I like your video, it is an interesting subject. An observation: KZbinrs keep speaking of how 3D-printing and laser cutting will change the hobby, yet I still have to see a video by someone who actually paid for the laser cutter (or 3D printer) themselves. The majority is sponsored stuff.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

I completely understand that. The laser was gifted, but I paid for my three 3D printers and I think they're fantastic. The resin for detailed stuff and filament for bigger stuff.

[@ModelMinutes]

Really nice custom build with the laser cutter!

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks 👍 😊

[@davidstokes8441]

Golly! A suggestion - print/cut extra posts and stick them on the outside of each of those on the dock, and etch lines to define the rail ends and you have a product to sell.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks David. I think you're right. A few improvements and I might have something that could be sold.

[@ciaranburke3243]

End result is awesome rob, cool machine 😎

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks Ciaran 👍

[@modelrailwaytheeasyway9743]

Looking good Rob

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks 👍

[@TATICMOOR]

Playing catch up again, Rob. Amazing laser cutter you got there Rob. I like the idea of producing my own stuff and combining 3D printed items into the bargain with it. A basic bottom box, though a fewer linking tabs would have worked too, was a neat base. You seem to have handled the software easily to create the cattle dock with the detailing added. The fencing looks great, but a little (wicket) finer next time. Put together as ABC and a job well done. Rob The Creator, and not just a KZbinr. Thanks for sharing Rob, it was great, maybe you'll make something for me next, but I'm sure there is a cue forming already, lol.

[@markm7013]

Thanks for the review/demo, just ordered one! Been wanting a laser cutter for a long time and it seems to have great features.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

I was very impressed with it. Be sure to join the Facebook group for inspiration and support 👍

[@canalboating]

Great Job! just waiting on delivery of my first Laser and I applaud you if that's your first project looks superb

[@Cloudman572]

My take on this is, what can I buy for my railway vs the cost of this. Cutter cost is a hell of a lot of plastic/card kits which have higher accuracy and rounded shapes where required in the case of plastic. Cutter does give you custom designs but at cost of hours of design work. I think cutter is only worth it to those who have to pay for it themselves if they make the design/cut/build a hobby in itself that they enjoy long term. Great video as usual!

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Fully appreciate it's a serious investment and, to be fair to Algolaser, it's pitched as an entry level commercial laser. I plan on using this to make platforms, custom buildings, baseboards and lineside furniture, but also dolls house stuff for my mum, Christmas decorations for the family, a wedding cake topper, etc. Designing in lightburn really was a lot easier than I imagined.

[@martyn6792]

I'm not a modeller but interesting to see how far technology has come over the years. The only thing I would say is possibly more bulk on the fence posts but otherwise impressive without being painted etc

[@mattsmith4605]

Bought one! Very excited. Bit cheeky what settings did you use for engraving the brickwork?

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks Matt. I used 2500mm/min and 100% power. However, someone rightly pointed out that I'd be better off going slower on lower power to prolong the life of the laser.

[@mikeandrew443]

I'm particularly interested in what you used for the fencing.😊

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Think it was 0.6mm polybak board. Hobards do large sheets at reasonable prices.

[@markburgess4528]

Great stuff. A good idea is not to run the laser at 100% to prolong the life of it. Better to reduce the power and do more passes. I appreciate this will take longer but I donthis with mine.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks for the tip 👍 out of interest, do you know the expected life of a diode laser?

[@MichaelHenfrey]

Certainly a nice bit of kit! It's certainly something I will look into nearer the time of needing one, but it could certainly make life alot easier. How much of a faff is it to design the brickwork with the interlocking edges? Cheers, Michael

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Hi Micheal 👋 it's really not difficult, lightburn has a feature where you draw a single brick, then create a grid offset by half a brick each row.

[@bengriffin4883]

How do you get your 00 gauge lined up straight with out gaps in your fish plates

[@LittleWicketRailway]

If you glue or pin your track once it's together then you should be OK. Small gaps are fine, they create a good click-clack sound when wheels pass over them and allow the rails to expand in hot temperatures.

[@bengriffin4883]

@@LittleWicketRailway ok thanks for the that

[@rbtkraisee7380]

Great review Rob! Could this do realistic brickwork in N scale?

[@LittleWicketRailway]

I think so. Will have a go when I'm back.

[@rbtkraisee7380]

Awesome, thanks Rob!

[@danburger65]

Nice review. Do you think it could do detail enough work in N scale?

[@LittleWicketRailway]

What kind of detail you thinking? Brickwork and fencing? I would have thought so. I'm away at the moment, but I can try scaling down the files and see how it turns out when I'm back. The beam width is very narrow.

[@danburger65]

@@LittleWicketRailway yes, something like brickwork. Thanks

[@LittleWicketRailway]

@danburger65 I'll have a play when I'm back at the end of this month. You might need to remind me though. You could also check out the Algolaser fb group. Some of the stuff people are posting in there is very impressive (although not railway related) and might give you an idea of what's possible.

[@beentb4805]

Is this the only laser you have

[@LittleWicketRailway]

I also have a 5W creality laser head that fits onto my Ender S1 3D printer.

[@mikeandrew443]

What are you using for material Rob? Nice job though.❤

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Cheers. 2mm board for the main body and 0.6mm polybak board for fences.

[@TimberSurf]

I wish someone would send me a free one! How did you determine the correct power and speeds for each material?

[@LittleWicketRailway]

I am very lucky to have been given one to try. There's a Google sheets doc which gives an idea of speed/power to cut or engrave a variety of materials, but there's also an element of trial and error.

[@Cocogram95]

I know this sounds cheeky but is it possible to buy this kit of you please?

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Sorry, I'm keeping it, got plans for more projects.

[@Cocogram95]

@LittleWicketRailway sorry I meant as like a kit you could sell to people, not that exact one

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Oh, sorry, I thought you meant buy the laser 😅 drop me an email. Are you based in the UK?