S2 E35 A Laser Cut Model Railway Turnout using 3d Printed Plug Track Chairs
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- Опубліковано 19 січ 2024
- Hello everyone,
It had been my intention to take January '24 off from making videos and focus upon developing a set of tutorials for the excellent Templot Plug Track.
I've made a good start, and you can see the progress of the pages here:
www.85a.uk/bexhillwest/wordpress
More material will be uploaded over the next couple of weeks following this video release.
Anyway, a question on the Templot Club forum, from a member who is modelling in 3mm scale, prompted me to have a go at making an experimental turnout in 3mm scale using a laser cut track base. Whilst doing so I thought it might make for an interesting video and here is the result. It's much smaller than I'm used to, but even so, the quality of the 3d printed chairs is excellent. They're really strong. I used Anycubic ABS-like V2 resin to print the chairs.
Now, as I was putting the video together Martin Wynne (Templot's creator), has announced that the next update will include some changes which will improve the experience I show here. But even so, I thought what I had still provided some useful insight so I've kept the video as-is.
Once the update is released I'll make the necessary changes to the tutorial website so those wishing to experiment for themselves should be able to find up-to-date information.
Finally, on Sunday 28th January 2024 I will be at the Longfield Model Railway show, on the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Society stand. If you're passing and fancy a chat do please come and say hello. I'll have some Plug Track bits and pieces with me if you'd like to see some examples in-person.
My best wishes,
James - Розваги
Thanks very much for putting these videos together James. I try to follow the forum but seeing it all in video format is really what I need.
These developments are very exciting. As the project moves forward I think Plug Track is going to be a game changer
This is whats needed, a concise walkthrough talk through, thank you 🙏
Now that is pretty damned impressive. I've really quite given up on my plans because I was getting fed up threading on exactoscale's brittle chairs with my 10 thumbs. But this looks quite something.
Thank you for the excellent video. You have turned what seemed a quite intimidating process into something quite understandable.
I do enjoy your videos, James.
Thank you @dinmorejunctionmodelrailway, I always appreciate your support.
All the best,
James
@BexhillWest Your welcome James
James. Really impressive results. The technology is a bit beyond me, but fascinating nevertheless. Pete.
Hi James, all the best for the new year.
Thanks for creating this episode, really appreciated.
Thank you. Happy New Year to you too. :)
Hi James,
Thanks for the video, It has helped keep me sane while threading chairs! I will bookmark your web page for future reference as I can imagine it will be rather useful down the line. If the plug track ever gets to the point of being able to do the single slips with all or most of the plug chairs do let me know, My attempt at making one the old fashioned way was semi-successful but its far from perfect and I might need to re-do it! I can imagine using this way would make life easier! Cheers, Michael
Thanks Michael, I spent what felt like most of last summer threading chairs. In the end I turned so gormless doing it that I became immune to the boredom of the task. Using the loose outer jaws with Plug Track is very satisfying in comparison. :)
I'm fairly confident that Obtuse crossing chairs are on Martin's list of things to do. I've got a couple to do myself so no-doubt when the time comes I'll do a walk through on here.
Hope you are keeping well,
James
6:25 the mistake of 14.5mm would be between Leipzig gauge and Toronto gauge and therefore be very very exotic with flange rails and tarmac flavour 🧐
13:57-14:07 minimal chair rows you gona show then in a (much) bigger gauge, so you can film the details better? IIm (so called G gauge) maybe or (for exhibit) even 5 in or 7 1/4 in?
20:40 ... and get some rusty colour on the show chairs to stop them from shining 😉for ultimate perfection.
Cheers
Dear James, very interesting video! Love the fact that you put up the plug tutorials on your website, definitely will take a look. Cheerio
Thanks you Vincent. I'm pleased you found the video interesting.
All the best,
James
Great video, amazing how these new technologies are changing the hobbie. Can I ask what printer you used, and whether you think this approach to the chairs would work on 2mm?
Hi, these chairs were printed using the Geeetech Alkaid 3d printer. I've not tried 2mm scale chairs, and my gut feeling would be that it might be stretching things a little. That said, folks are using Plug Track for 2mm, opting for solid outer jaws, printing the timbers and chairs as one piece. Lot's of experimentation required I think to get the best results, but apparently doable.
Thanks for watching,
James
Fascinating project. Could Templot and the 3DPrinting be adapted for use on a small 7mm scale line - I might need some bespoke points, your system looks super✌️💜👍😊
Hi @musoseven8218,
Firstly, it's not my system. It's all the work of Martin Wynne, I'm simply enjoying using it, and sharing my experiences :)
As for 7mm scale, that is a definite yes. Templot will produce Plug Track components in any scale or gauge. 7mm scale would be excellent, the chairs would print beautifully and all the detail would be clearly visible. It should be possible to see the randomised screw heads without a magnifying glass.
Thanks for watching,
James
@@BexhillWest Hi James, thanks for clarifying and explaining, time I took a look at Templot me thinks👍☹️💜😊😀, all the best, with thanks👍✌️😊
Hi James,
great video again, just a few questions if you don't mind. It looks as though the wood you have used for the timbers is MDF is that right? if so what thickness did you use? And what were your lightburn settings in terms of power and cutting speeds?
cheers
Phil,
Hi Phil, I'd cut this using laser MDF, but only because it was the only material I had to hand which was a suitable thickness.
This is just an example piece, plywood is a much more suitable material.
I used a cut setting of 18mm/second @ 100% speed. Bear in mind that these settings are/will likely to differ with different machines and material types.
Thanks for watching,
James
That's really interesting. Compared to 3D printing the track base, that method is much more amenable to mating plug track with commercial flexitrack, such as C&L or SMP scaleway, and will be easier to ballast as it doesn't have that extra height of the supports. What material and what thickness did you use in the laser cutter?
In this example I used a piece of laser MDF. I wouldn't recommend MDF though for layout building. Birch ply is ideal, I just didn't have any to hand of a suitable thickness.
Thanks for watching,
James