The New Way to Scratch Build Models

[@StevesTrains]

Great video and thanks for the shout-out! I like that the one you have doesn't require you to keep your computer plugged into it the whole time you use it, although that hasn't been a huge issue so far since laser cutting is faster than 3d printing for the most part.

[@rwissbaum9849]

As always, Jimmy, you've given us a very informative video. One modeler who's doing some great work with laser-cut scratchbuilding in HO scale is on the YT channel Station Road Model Railway, and he goes into a lot of detail on the laser installation and use. Sorry, but I have to be a naysayer on this topic. As other viewers have noted, laser cutting is still way beyond the budget of most modelers. By the time you've bought the laser cutter, the honeycomb mat, the fume enclosure, the ventilation system, and the software, the investment is about 1.5x the base cost of the cutter itself. Most modelers will never do enough scratchbuilding to justify this kind of expense. If you REALLY want to try scratchbuilding your own laser cut design, check out one of the many custom laser cutting services. In the meantime, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands - of excellent laser cut kits out there - in all scales.

[@TonysNWR]

It’s been a few years since I’ve used a laser cutter and it was a little complicated with the CAD we were using at the time. I can’t believe how laser cutting has evolved so much over the years. This looks so easy to use and set up. Makes me want one really bad 😂

[@Cee_Eff]

I would recommend getting a vector drawing program like AutoCAD. You will have much more control over your design, scaling, layering. You can assign different power levels to layers as well. I do this with my students in my classroom. There are several AutoCAD clones that will meet your needs

[@LordPhobos6502]

I'm using QCAD, as I wasn't happy with the fees for AutoCAD. I've been very happy with it, has compatibility with dxf and dwg files, and is a one-off price, not a monthly fee. There will be more options out there as well.

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

There are a few manufacturers of laser cut buildings in the UK. A few of the baseboard kit suppliers have moved to creating these as accurate components - arrives flat packed and one I assembled the other day took 30 mins and some PVA for the new micro layout.

[@thoughtengine]

Just one reason why I want one of these things, if I can get one big enough - given the postage In the Greenwood Laser wants for one of their N scale building facades, I shudder to think of the postage for a baseboard module to Australia.

[@NScaleDystopia]

Thanks for the kind words, Jimmy! I have always been excited about 3D printing, but I think I'm more excited about lasers. Between cutting and engraving, there are a lot of possibilities to build the structures we want that were never available. Site note: good ventilation is a must!

[@johnbanicki7232]

Looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@1stArizonaSub]

Another great video. I have a 3 in 1 Snapmaker 3d printer/CNC router and laser cutter/engraver You have encouraged me to use the laser cutter/engraver and give it a go.

[@chrisridd9423]

These look pretty interesting! Don't forget that you can probably find local stores/clubs with good quality laser cutting equipment that can do custom jobs for you - which is a great way to cheaply test the waters. I got some some custom flex track templates made locally - think "tracksetta" but with different radii, and even compound curves. I used Inkscape (free app) to generate the design for them.

[@stanstocker8858]

Greetings! The addition of stronger air assist or smoke extraction may eliminate or reduce much of the charring and smoke staining, although Ortur says their pump is a 50L pump, they didn't mention if that is per minute or what. My air assist isn't much more, it's only 60L / min. I'm using a Sculpfun with a 10W diode head, it was easy to expand to a 16X34 inch work area, something that was important to me as doing larger HO buildings and boat / aircraft models can be a real pain in a smaller work envelope. I have a K40 as well, but it hasn't been fired up since I got the diode unit, the larger work area and not having to deal with distilled water coolant and keeping it from getting nasty in the holding bucket sure is nice. GOOD laser glasses are worth spending some money on if the provided pair seem iffy, the ones provided with the diode lasers are all over the place in terms of attenuation and general quality. I hope Ortur is supplying decent laser goggles at this price point, but you only get two eyes. Diode laser wavelength passes right through the front of the eye with no attenuation at all, which is why they are more dangerous to eyes than CO2 lasers. Have a peek at the MakeCNC site for some good model railroad buildings, supplied in multiple formats. The models aren't always perfect, and the roofs tend to have tabs sticking up through them which makes the laser engraved shingles rather pointless as you'll have to hide the tabs under some roofing material anyway, but some of their models are quite complicated structures that would be a lot of work to create from scratch. They are specified for specific thicknesses of ply rather than styrene. Lightburn software makes a lot of things with lasers just work better, good call going with it. If you haven't found them yet, there are very good test cutting and engraving pattern generators in Lightburn to make it easy to find optimal power and speed settings for various materials. Makes getting dialed in as easy as using the Cones of Confusion on a resin printer. I have never cut styrene, now you have me wanting to try it out. If the soot on the surface is less with my air pump I'll let you know. I've been too busy with other stuff lately, but making an enclosure for my diode laser with a high flow smoke and fume extraction inline fan is on the list of things to get done. Welcome to the weird world of lasers, Have fun!

[@stephanesavard2073]

The soot on the styrene is from flare-ups! If you use a proper air assist the cuts will be cleaner with barely any black. You might also notice some wispy "flakes" of black soot deposited around your work space. Plus, that soot is likely also being deposited on the laser lens. I know each time I forget to turn on the air assist while cutting styrene, I end up having to clean the lens.

[@conrailhbgline]

Jimmy, great video. On styrene, don't most use a Cricut and not a laser cutter for doing cuts for scoring for the exact reason you saw with the burn marks? Have you ever done anything with a Cricut?

[@patriot3820]

Jimmy - great video as always. I'm a new model railroader, but am also a general hobbyist. I got into laser cutters (I have the XTool which is also an amazing system). The key to any laser system is the software; Lightburn is the de-facto best around, and will make your life so much better rather than designing in Lightburn (or any laser driving program) - for me, it's an "easier" approach to design in a program that is meant for drawing etc, then export a .STL into Lightburn for cutting and engraving. I use Visio (due to accurate measurements) to create to-scale buildings. For example - I designed a 10x15 'yard house' building, that looks like a small wood shack with a pitched roof and the appearance of slatted walls and roof. By using colors in Visio (I use one for cut lines, one for engraving lines) when you import into Lightburn, those same color lines (blue and red for example) become your cut and engraving lines. Visio is just what I had on hand - any graphic program would work fine that can export STLs. 100% hooked on laser cutters, and I personally love the combination of the XTool and Lightburn. even as a new model railroader, being able to scratch build so quickly (from start of design to cutting out on laser is under an hour) goes so much faster than designing 3d printed buildings and I want to scratch build most of my buildings for my (in progress) layout great info and video as always - keep sharing the amazing content!

[@DuCo_Loco]

Jimmie ,You forgot to use the air quotes when you said “lazer” hahahaha I enjoy your vids keep them coming.

[@4everdc302]

Have preorders on some locomotives that say this isnt happening 😅 Cool Jimmy bringing this to the forefront🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

[@melkitson]

Looks really good but how many locos could I buy for that? Not a budget friendly option. I will stick with my trusty scalpel and steel rule.

[@drewzero1]

I hope they come down over time like 3D printers have over the last decade. I'd really love a laser cutter but it's not an option with my current workshop and budget.

[@loispadgett6306]

Thank you Jimmy for that review. They are just to expansive for me rite how but maybe someday. Maybe you could make up some kits for your etsy store. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@RRWMFan]

Jimmy, this is a great video. I also have a laser engraver ( not the Ortur but an equivalent) and love the versatility of it. I purchased an enclosure to go with my engraver and when used with the air filter system, all the smoke and much of the smell is able to be redirected to an open window to help keep my space smoke and relatively odor free. Lightburn, as you mentioned, is a easy software to use and gives freedom to all of your creative juices. One question I do have, when you scored the styrene, did the scorch on the surface wipe off or did you have to sand it off?

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

The scorch wiped off for the most part. It was very usable. I definitely recommend multiple quick passes versus fewer slow ones.

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Oh great… now I need one 😝

[@odilemahot2011]

I would like to have a go with one but being a small modeler I looked the price up for a cheap one and for me they would need to bring the price down a lot.

[@Cloudman572]

I just don't see where the pay-back time of a $1000 laser cutter comes from vs buying styrene and cutting it by hand or buying many card kits and using your savings on buying trains, however YMMV.

[@YMA80]

Bit expensive for me unfortunately. Cheaper for me to just buy already prepared laser cut kits.

[@davegann6263]

For that kind of $$, you could buy a few buildings…..

[@danmcmartin]

Check out @ThunderMesaStudio. He almost elusively uses lasers to scratch build for his various O scale narrow gauge layouts. Not N scale but tons of great info. He makes great foam scenery too.