After a long while - more Digital Stuff

Since getting my ShopBot I have been learning about 3D stuff and that is not an easy task.  Most of the terms are very different from everyday word usage.  I come from a digital world, IE data processing digital and even owned a software company for a while specializing in graphics.  Where I am now as a hobbyist is a far cry from when this blog started (and then got neglected).  I have added to my arsenal of toys to aid in my affliction.  I have a MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer, a Makerbot Digitizer (not used it yet), and a FS40W laser.  I spent the last few months learning all of this stuff and coming up with ways to get all of these critters to work together.  For software I use Vectric software Aspire and Cubify Invent.  The file exchange for 3D is using the .STL file extension and so far has got me going pretty good.  Anyhow enough rambling here's some pix to add to the mix.  Thanks for listening.  Russ

Some o scale machine shop tools for the roundhouse.  The man is 1 1/2 inches tall.

Here's a multipart window made with the ShopBot and sintra plastic.

Size is 4 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches high.

Here's some really small 3D printed parts (and they are hollow!).

A different kind of railroad project

Here is a different kind of railroad project.  It is a narrow gauge combine.  It is modled after one that was used on the Carson and Colorado.  It is modeled in 2 1/2 inch scale and runs on 7 1/2 in gauge track.  It is just about 10 feet long.

This is an early build shot. 

I will add more pix later on as the car is now in operation.

Side window shot. 

Slidng door in the baggage area. 

Opposite end of car.  That is a one gallon paint can

just to show realtive size of car (it's big)! 

A bigger building

A bigger building, well at least taller! I wanted to model the grain elevator that is located on a siding on the UP mainline here in Chiloquin Oregon.  With a lot of help from a local machinist we created the corrugated metal we needed to get the right look. This building is 4 feet by 4 feet by 10 feet tall and is very heavy.

If you look closely in the trailer you can spot the model.

Here is the model getting ready to be taken over to Train Mountain

Here is the model on the siding and ready to receive some grain for storage.

First passenger station

This is the first passenger station for Train Mountain.  It is located at Freiube Siding on the Klamath and Western division of Train Mountain.  It is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet high.  It weighs in at a hefty 150 pounds!

Here it has been placed at the siding.

A simple project

My original idea for the purchase of the Bot was to assist me in building 'stuff' for my other hobby, model railroading.  For the past 40 or so years I have had a side business of constructing model railroads for others.  I have been involved in over 90 such layouts.  My current set of projects are directed to a larger set of model railroading and that is the world of live steam outdoor ride on railroads.  I live within 4 miles of Train Mountain, the worlds biggest live steam hobby railroad.  I am building buildings for this world class railroad.  Here is the first project, a small office warehouse for the Phillips Petroleum dealer.

It's hard to tell the size here but this building is 4 feet by 4 feet by 2 feet high.

It is constructed of 1/2 inch plywood and is very sturdy.  So far they are holding up well with the Southern Oregon winters and all of the little critters that seem to like to munch on the trim!

Welcome to My Digital Projects

First up, this is my shop where all the magic happens.  It is located right on the river and is adjacent to our home.  As you can see I have a very short commute.  Just a little wlak and I'm in the magic kingdom.

The inside of my shop is not always this clean, but it looks good in this pix!

Here is my favorite tool, my ShopBot.

The Shopbot was invented to assist in the making of furniture.  It is a CNC based router.  The router takes a design that is created on a computer, converts the drawing into toolpaths that the ShopBot then routes out.  While designed primarily to work with wood, the ShopBot has been used to toll in brass, aluminum, marble, ice, and all kinds of 'stuff'!  What I will try and showcase here is things that I and other Botters have created just to let folks see the tremendous creativity and wild variety of things that can be done.

Russ