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Guide to laser cut buildings pros and cons

Discussion in 'General Information' started by ModelRailwayQuest, Nov 22, 2023.

  1. Nov 22, 2023 #1
    ModelRailwayQuest

    ModelRailwayQuest Full Member

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    Here is my reviews laser cut buildings and some tips for beginners

     
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  2. Nov 23, 2023 #2
    paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Looking forward to the next video, as I have recently bought my first laser cut kits (Petite Properties) working out at around £15 per O gauge building. Any tips / things to watch out for will be appreciated.

    For finishing tips, Peteite Properties have a paperback book on various finishing techniques - Petite Properties - Create Exterior Finishes by Bea Broadwood, and seeing the finished results at the Guildex Show was very impressive. I have no affiliation etc etc to the company apart from being a happy customer - so far (I've not built them yet :whatever: :))

    And you're right about the smell, mind you it's not as bad as the 3D resins and IPA.

    Paul
     
  3. Nov 23, 2023 #3
    Jim Freight

    Jim Freight Full Member

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    Hi Paul, not sure if you are refering to card or wood, the only real issues I have had with laser cut wood kits (in 4mm scale) is trying to to disguise the wood grain on brick and concrete faces and the dark cut surface where two corners interlock, e.g. my low relief warehouses, needs pretty opaque primer to disguise the dark edge, sanding away the cut surface is rather difficult in 4mm scale, should be a lot easier in 7mm scale.

    The burnt edges are as much burnt resin as burnt wood.

    I also found the roof panels were rather coarse and swapped them for card, talk about out of the frying pan ...

    For internal add ons I found it easier to buy and use foam board than balsa wood.

    As for the smell, I like burnt toast anyway :avatar:

    Jim :)
     
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  4. Nov 25, 2023 #4
    Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Guys at the club have had lots of issues with 0 gauge LCUT brick buildings, the bricks tend to de-laminate from the sides with the slightest touch during construction.
     
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  5. Nov 25, 2023 #5
    jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Interesting, I have a couple of Lcut O scale buildings in the to do drawer. I wonder if it is down to the adhesive used, I used some corrugated card to clad my workshop building glued on with pva. It delaminated almost straight away, I believe it was due to the water based glue. After spraying the surfaces with a carpet adhesive which is a contact glue, it has stayed stuck.

    Pete.
     
  6. Nov 25, 2023 #6
    Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    I have quite a few laser cut buildings on my layout, never had any problems with them.
     
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  7. Nov 25, 2023 #7
    paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    All the Petite Properties buildings I have bought don't have any surface texture cut into them, and are designed for you to apply / create your own Exterior Finishes - hence me buying the book.

    Fortunately for me bare brick finish or even bare stone were less popular in Scotland, with rendered finishes being the norm to protect the brick / stone from the ravishes of winter rain / ice / snow, actually that covers spring summer and autum :avatar:.

    Paul
     
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