Safari phase two?

Per last post I have been researching CnC paper cutting. I found something called an electronic paper cutting machine. This is also known as a die cutting machine. These are available as manual models too. A long while back I did see die cutting devices. The one I checked out most is made by Accu-cut. It seems that die tolerances in this scale cannot be easily fabricated and the die cost is also expensive. So where we are at now is the above named electronic die cutters. These have been around some time but are not familiar to me. My next idea is to contact a user of one of these machines and glean some info. I am now working on rolling stock as mentioned previously and hope to increase the rate of progress. See you soon, omscaler

Am I on safari?

Well, well, well. It seems that the hunt continues more. A few posts back, I described my quest for a laser paper cutter. My search revealed several issues. The system needs an exhaust component. Shipping alone is four hundred dollars. Software is needed at one hundred fifty to five hundred dollars. The base model laser engraver/cutter is on sale for about eight thousand dollars. Money can be saved by using an external exhaust unit, but a window is not in my work area. What to do? Maybe run a duct through the living room? As you may have noticed, costs are somewhat formidable. Also, you may recall one of the tenets of The Omega Scale Railway is that everything can be done inexpensively. Looks like I'm getting off track (pun intended). But there is a silver lining to this cloud. One of the entries I saw online was about using a CnC paper cutter to “prototype” before firing up the laser cutter. It seems that this method saves time and money. Aha, I thought. Now I will be investigating CnC paper cutting. The hunt still continues

Good news!

Yes, we have a little progress report for you. The Murphysboro module rework is now around ninety to ninety- five percent complete. The road bed is all put in. we are laying ties and track. The turnouts are working. All good. Still got to get those flat cars going though. We need them to carry our scale ties and rails. See you on the next post. omscaler

Details abound

Yes, we are still looking into laser paper cutting. Yes, there are a lot of details. Yes, it seems that costs could skyrocket. Laser technology has come down. Just not completely to earth yet. What I checked into recently called for: the laser cutter (of course), an air ventilation system, drawing software. Optional: an equipment stand, air compressor, maybe a computer upgrade, maybe a new computer, maybe something else. I feel I leave out some things. Yikes! Yes, it seems simplicity may have been left behind. But, the digging continues, omscaler

Change is coming

Yep, that's right. Change they say is inevitable. And so it is. The clock is ticking. Hopefully, the plans for The Omega Scale Railway will begin to accelerate. Much is needed. I recently read that growth is caused by change but not all change is good. Sounds like a time for a little caution. Sometimes the work here is slow but I am always guided by a vision of equipment that looks realistic and has a quality appearance. I sometimes visualize this almost constantly when I am thinking about The OSR. The vision of sharp looking locomotives and cars drives me forward. I am working through the change. See you next time, omscaler

The search continues

Last post I mentioned I was looking at laser paper cutting. So far, I have located two distributors, located in Atlanta and Chattanooga. Wow, why can't things be simple? Also, how much power do these things use? How noisy? Are there fumes? What about service? Questions abound. Anyway, work on the railroad continues. There is nothing like a well thought out design. Almost finished with the Murphysboro module redo. However, the sunny outdoors beckon. Resist temptation, I must, to paraphrase Yoda. Steadfastly, omscaler