Need Some Advice

[Anonymous]

First , hello to all from someone new to the forum. I've been a model railroader most of my life and a reader of MR since about 1965...but been away from the hobby for the past 5 years or so. I'm pretty excited about the changes in technology that have occurred in this short time (I always hated block wiring.)

Here's the question. As part of my business (I own a trophy and awards company), I have a CO2 laser used for engraving and cutting a variety of materials. Does it make sense to market a service that would make custom cuts available to modelers? My thinking here is that commercially available laser-cut structures are rather expensive, and this would be a low cost (?) alternative to create the exact structure you need.

Obviously we don't have structural plans/architectural drawings, but would this be of interest anyway? Is it already available? How much would the service be worth to the average modeler?

A lot of questions...sorry. But I love the hobby and thought this might be a great way to have a little fun with the machine.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jim

[Anonymous]

Jim,

My guess is that your idea would be of interest to a small number of modelers that can provide their own plans. I have a friend who had this done recently off of plans he drew and it was rather expensive. I would suggest that you post this on the HOn3 list over on Yahoo as well as the backwoods train list. You might get more responses in that group.

Guy

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Jim,

Very valueable equipment that you have.

Something else that you could consider. Detailing parts for locomotives and cars that are not currently available, particularly "See Thru" radiator grills for diesels. While Details West and OMI have made various types, they make none for older GE U-Boats and EMDs that so many modelers currently own and have no intention of selling. Modelers that already own the older Atlas, Athearn, Stewart, and Kato units might likely purchase the See Thru grills if made available.

Peace and High Greens!

[Fergmiester]

Any service that gives us more variety and availability is always welcome. The cost of laser cut structures at pesent is prohibitive to most and a concern to some. I have built several laser cut structures to date and enjoy them but I'm not rushing out to buy more as I have other things to put my money into. So a cheap alternative is always welcome, especially if I can get something built to my own specs.

BTW [#welcome] to the Forum

Regards
Fergie

[Anonymous]

Thanks to both of you for responding!

Guy: Good idea about the HOn3 crowd...could also make sense for more difficult gauges like S an O where structure kits (particularly craftsman-type) are more difficult to find. But in terms of the cost, my thought is to charge very little -- somewhere in the $15-25 range plus materials and shipping -- and certainly way below what it might cost for a comparable kit. Is this out of range?

Antonio: In terms of the detail parts, I'm limited by the materials I can use. Unfortunately, a CO2 laser can't cut through metal or carbon fiber and I have to stay away from vinyl or any plastics that contain PVC. But I can cut styrene, ABS, acrylic, lexan, wood, etc. Do you think modelers would be interested in flat detail parts (like radiator grills) that aren't made of brass?

Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

I have built several laser cut structures to date and enjoy them but I'm not rushing out to buy more as I have other things to put my money into. So a cheap alternative is always welcome,

Thanks for the welcome, Fergie. Yeah...that's my thinking exactly. I have a few craftsman kits in the collection, but found them at auction (dating myself, but way before Ebay [:I]) A service like this might also be interesting for folks wanting to create contest structures without having to rely on hydrocal.

Jim

[dehusman]

One barrier would be getting accurate enough drawings from your customers to do the work. Would you be able to cut a building if I gave you just a pencil sketch?
Would the er have to supply the material? If I want a building out of novelty siding with a 6 inch reveal, will you have that material in HO scale?
If I give you plans to cut out the sides of a depot, who owns that? Can you take that program and sell it as a kit?

I know there are several companies that do custom laser cutting for ers. We looked at having one mas produce sme small building "kits" for use as demo structures in clinics. I forget the name but they are at GATS in the midwest.

Good luck.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

Good point about the plans, Dave...I would need vector artwork to cut any materials. That means supplying the plans in an .eps or CorelDraw file. We can of course convert even the most simple sketches to this necessary artwork (we do it for customers logos, etc. all the time.) But that would add to the cost - typically about $45/hour. It also adds a bit of time with the exchange of estimates and client approval, but the process is fairly painless.

In terms of the materials, It would be the customers call on supply. My thought here is to keep it as simple and low-cost as possible. So if the modeler wants specialty materials cut (and those are acceptable materials I mentioned), you would have the option of supplying those materials or, if available through Walthers, supplied by us at cost. I'm guessing that if we do this, we'll maintain a supply of balsa, basswood and styrene sheet stock in various thicknesses.

I have no interest in owning others plans or creating completed kits. We already have a successful recognition business...but our laser isn't running at full capacity (8-10 hours/day, 6 days a week.) I'd be happy to sign a waiver of ownership on those plans. So this provides two opportunities: maximize our substantial investment in the machine and become involved in the model railroad community in a different way.

Your thoughts?

Jim