I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking. Some electro mechanical wizard has finally invented such a machine for modelers. Wouldn't that be nice ?
Why hasn't this been made yet ? Geez,with 3D printers being all the rage. Why not a down & dirty AFFORDABLE CNC Styrene Cutter for modelers ?
I know of the scrap booking cameo which would be great for making HO templates . In my opinion, useless for cutting thicker styrene.
Any CNC bench top styrene cutting systems out there ? Anybody know of anyone working on something like this ?
With this tool. You could build anything.
Where is it ?
Patrick
Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb
Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.
Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.
I find that a utility knife works just fine for sheet styrene up to .060" thickness. I'd guess that it would require a fair-sized machine to work on 4'x8' sheets, but such a knife, along with a framing square and a straightedge, made easy work of 5 or 6 such sheets for me. The biggest cost, after the plastic, was a good supply of blades.
Wayne
dragonriversteel Any CNC bench top styrene cutting systems out there ? Anybody know of anyone working on something like this ? With this tool. You could build anything. Where is it ? Patrick
Well, there's a couple over at a shop I visit once in awhile. They're called CNC routers. I s'pose they're not exactly "bench top", but look on the bright side: you get a free "bench top" when you buy the router.
So, alright. I did a search for "CNC benchtop router":
http://www.cncrouterparts.com/benchtop-pro-2424-2-x-2-cnc-machine-kit-p-314.html
Ed
Don't know anything about this from personal experience but
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249434.aspx
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
doctorwayne I find that a utility knife works just fine for sheet styrene up to .060" thickness. I'd guess that it would require a fair-sized machine to work on 4'x8' sheets, but such a knife, along with a framing square and a straightedge, made easy work of 5 or 6 such sheets for me. The biggest cost, after the plastic, was a good supply of blades. Wayne
Hi Wayne,
Have been using that method for years but I need something that cuts the material its self with precision. I cut free hand which leaves my parts different sizes. With Ed's suggestion.
Right on the money.
7j43k dragonriversteel Any CNC bench top styrene cutting systems out there ? Anybody know of anyone working on something like this ? With this tool. You could build anything. Where is it ? Patrick Well, there's a couple over at a shop I visit once in awhile. They're called CNC routers. I s'pose they're not exactly "bench top", but look on the bright side: you get a free "bench top" when you buy the router. So, alright. I did a search for "CNC benchtop router": http://www.cncrouterparts.com/benchtop-pro-2424-2-x-2-cnc-machine-kit-p-314.html Ed
Ed,
That is exactly what I'm looking for ! Thank you for the info.
BigDaddy Don't know anything about this from personal experience but http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249434.aspx
Hi Henry,
I figured somebody would have posted on the subject already. Great information thank you Henry.
I use a Sherline CNC mill for cutting styrene. Here's a link to table top routers. https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/inventables-x-carve-500mm/sk/MJS7PDL9?rcode=GAT9HR&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwY2Go9XR2gIVDLbICh3XpwYFEAQYBCABEgIvQ_D_BwE
If you want more on table top routers do a Google on CNC table top routers.
Bernd
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com
Patrick, Search Aliexpress or EBay for CNC router/engraver you will find a plenty of nice kits. I have one built already and still at the beginning of my learning curve. What is really annoying in my opinion is to establish a "production process". It starts with CAD construction of your part. This, however, must be converted to a script the router can understand and process. For that you will need a CAM software, and another software (or functionality) to send this script to the machine. And here exactly where the fun begins. Unless the machine is delivered with the proper and well matched package of software you will find yourself spending hours to download, install and test numerous combinations of software, tweaking here and modifying there until you find your own route. This will take time, but in my opinion the final goal justifies the time, headache and pain.
Regards
Walid
dragonriversteel Any CNC bench top styrene cutting systems out there ? Anybody know of anyone working on something like this ? Where is it ?
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=11&ved=2ahUKEwjPkbTup9faAhUtMuwKHV4QAoEQFjAKegQIBhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.aliexpress.com%2Fitem%2F32810759356.html&usg=AOvVaw0uV4zOHSylnCf2s4SWHjhQ
You might want to explore Michael Rose's thread. He uses a CNC laser cutting machine very effectively. He is not working in styrene however. He uses some form of matte board, the name of which escapes me. His work is pretty impressive. I'd suggest going to the thread and simply asking him to show you his machine. The thread is really long. Trying to find the CNC machine specs by just reading the thread would take forever.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/262631.aspx
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter You might want to explore Michael Rose's thread. He uses a CNC laser cutting machine very effectively. He is not working in styrene however. He uses some form of matte board, the name of which escapes me.
You might want to explore Michael Rose's thread. He uses a CNC laser cutting machine very effectively. He is not working in styrene however. He uses some form of matte board, the name of which escapes me.
I scanned the thread and found his reference to laser-cut Taskboard for the track bed. It's effectively a thick cardstock with a little bit of textured matte surface, and it cut nicely on the Glowforge. I may end up using it for some structures. I've read that laser cutters don't play nice with styrene - that it has a tendency to melt, is difficult to maintain a clean edge, and generates a lot of smoke. Since I have to share the laser I've been using with others, I have been hesitant to test that. Laser cutters work nicely on acrylic/lucite/plexiglas. I'm working on a thick-walled structure in HO using 3mm opaque white cast acrylic and have been pleased with the results.
Bob
What about the cri-cut? www.cricut.comCricut Knife Blade™ that works like an X-ACTO® knife to slice through heavier materials up to 2.4 mm (coming 2018)
that's about .1"
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
DigitalGriffin What about the cri-cut? www.cricut.comCricut Knife Blade™ that works like an X-ACTO® knife to slice through heavier materials up to 2.4 mm (coming 2018) that's about .1"
For those who scratch build models . I think I have found the perfect CNC machine for modeling.
Take a quick jaunt onto the net. Type in Stepcraft 420 .
Perfect for modeling needs.
i have a shapeoko 2 cnc router that I use to cut styrene. its great! My first project, a scratch built caboose is documented here.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/228705.aspx
That thread describes my cnc router. here are some photos of other things I have made on it. It really make parts well (0.005 inch tolerances!)
It has been a huge help with all the equipment in my refinery. 75% of it is scratcbuilt from CAD models i made and cut out. The coker tower decks and all the heater walkways (pretty much anything round) were all cut on the router. It does so much nicer a job than me cutting it by hand.
here are some of the examples.
One of the other things I love is that it predrills all the stanchion holes for railings.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
dragonriversteelFor those who scratch build models . I think I have found the perfect CNC machine for modeling. Take a quick jaunt onto the net. Type in Stepcraft 420 .
Here's a link:
https://www.stepcraft-systems.com/en/products/cnc-system-overview
Renegade1c:
I like your work with the CNC machine, but I think you deserve more credit for all the railings! Great work all round.
hon30critter Renegade1c: I like your work with the CNC machine, but I think you deserve more credit for all the railings! Great work all round. Dave
Thank you. I use Phosphor Bronze wire (normally used for locomotive pickups). It is super easy to solder, much easier than brass suprisingly. The cooling tower structure has more that 6 feet of wire used in the hand rails. Each stantion is approxiamately 1/2 inch. I have anoter complete side to do as well and I need to install a ladder on the far end. It's definitely the most time consuming building in the refinery other than the coker tower.
I also have a CNC machine. Mine's a Sherline mill. Costs a bit more but is capable of milling thicker metal pieces and can also do 3D milling, both concave and convex. I also use CamBam to generate G-code. I'm using Draftsight 2017 for my CAD. A free program.
I wanted an HOn30 railtruck for my quarry line. Building part of the vehicle from styrene, I put the Sherline to use in cutting out the sides for the truck.
I glued a piece of .040 styrene to a piece of MDF and strapped it to the table.
Finished mill path.
Once removed from the MDF a bit of clean up on the edages was needed.
A quick test fit.
Second side added.
Windows added. The indiviual panes were later cut out to make it look like a single pane.
And the roof added.
The plan is to have a battery powere radio speed and direction controlled HOn30 railtruck.
Bernd, I just learned how to use the XCarve at our local makerspace and am interested in using it for builds with styrene. What size and type of end mill did you use, and what type of glue do you use to adhere the styrene to the MDF?
Thanks,
TheGamp Bernd, I just learned how to use the XCarve at our local makerspace and am interested in using it for builds with styrene. What size and type of end mill did you use, and what type of glue do you use to adhere the styrene to the MDF? Thanks, Bob
Hi Bob,
I believe it was a 1/32" dia 2 flute mill. A single flute mill might work even better. There won't be as much build up on the mill and break it. Don't ask how I know. I used a spray adhisive such as 3M or Loctite.
The Shapoko 2 is the X-carve's predicessor. Both are good machines. I also use CamBam for generating G-code for the machine. I have a Sherline Mill/Lathe as well (although its not a CNC) and uses the Shapeoko more. It has a 12"x12"X3" cut area. The X-carve I believe is even bigger than that. I also use a 1/32" 2-flute end mill at very high spindle speed (~4000 RPM). This prevents the styrene from melting. it is actually cut and chipped away.
CamBam allows both 2D and 3D milling, although i haven't done much in the 3D realm yet.