Thought I would share a face plate I made for a NCE mini panel.
My railroad has all the wiring hidden behind a facia, out of site, out of reach. The NCE mini panel has a programming jumper and a setup port that needs to be used for programming. Instead of burring the panel under the layout I decided to make a face plate and mount it to the front of the layout. It is the same height as the PCP panel face but wider of course.
The panel will be programmed to run an engine back and forth along a pre programmed route. The black buttons will start the sequence, red button is for a interupt command, toggle switch is for the programming jumper.
Kelly
www,finescale360.com
Kelly:
Very neat!
I'm curious to know how you created the face plate. Do you have your own equipment or did you have it made?
Thanks
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi Dave,
Yes, I cut the panel on a CNC machine.
I converted a manual milling machine to CNC, the build of that machine is documented here:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/benchtop_machines/141561-kellys_machine_tool_warehouse_-_md001-21.html#post1027942
I'm impressed!
I read through the thread about how you built your CNC milling machine. I was in so far over my head that I though I needed a snorkel! Seriously, what can be done with the proper equipment boggles my mind, and here I sit with my Dremel, tin snips and files.
Makes me wish that I had pursued a more technical career, but unfortunately at the time I was very determined to not let my classes interfere with my education! Thank goodness we persuaded my son to use his brains for a living!
Don't you just hate people like Kelly?
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi again Kelly. Ron M. here, just to tell you I just saw your face plate for the mini panel and am in the process of doing the same. I was interested in your conversion. This is also another of my hobbies, I built a 3 axis mill from scratch and converted an old mini lathe to CNC they have performed well for the past five years. Also design and build amateur full size aircraft. Railroading is my winter hobby up here in the cold. Lots of fun Ron Mason.
How can you tell this guy's a machinist? Look at the fasteners used to attach the faceplate to the Mini Panel.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker How can you tell this guy's a machinist? Look at the fasteners used to attach the faceplate to the Mini Panel. --Randy
Ahhh. Good old socket head cap screws.
Thank's guys!
Nothing wrong with a Dremal and file, still do that sometimes.
I didn't know a thing about CNC machines until I read that other forum and converted my first, smaller machine. That build thread is also on the site.
In my spare time I design and build R/C heli replacement frames out of aluminum.
If you need the DXF file of the panel let me know.
Here is a video with the CNC machine cutting bricks and a tunnel portal.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/203518.aspx
I know I could have bought brick embossed platic sheet but I wanted to see if my home built would engrave all those little lines. I used a drage engraving bit I ground out of a broken drill bit. The spindle/motor on the mill did not need to turn so all you hear is the machine moving.
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