Great little home laser. I've used lasers at work. And this laser is so versatile. It handles wood very easily, it extracts the smoke very well. (You definitely need the window and doors open though, the smell of burning wood, is very unpleasant in the house). It's very versatile. It supports a wide range of materials too.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Amazing, it does seem to have plenty of features without being to complicated to operate for total beginners like me! Completely agree with needing ventilation too, it was quite scary how quickly the room filled up even just while filming that short 2 minute segment. Thanks for watching 😃

Thanks for the video. Virtually everything on my layout I have designed and printed using a 3d printer. Next on my list is to get into laser cutting So...your video is both timely and instructive... Now I just need to raise the funds

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Amazing! If you're already familiar with 3D printing then I'd say laser cutting should be fairly easy to get your head around. It definitely feels like a logical step for creating larger structures where 3D printing isn't practical. Thanks for watching 🤩

Nice video mate. With 3D printing now a big thing in this hobby I can see laser cutting starting to become a big thing also. Looks like a great laser cutter. And that box came out great too. - Nicholas.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

It does seem like a logical progression. As the technology becomes more accessible I think we could see them as a similar tool to a 3D printer in the modellers arsenal - not essential but very useful if you have one! Thanks for watching 😃

An amazing piece of equipment, That Model Railway Guy. We couldn't have imagined this not that long ago. Of course, we're expecting to see some fantastic buildings and stock now!!

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

I definitely feel like these are going to become more common over the next few years. Sort of how 3D printers were a bit of a luxury originally and now a lot of modellers use them frequently at home. Thanks for watching 😃

Nice, that's the first time I've seen a laser cut printer work and it certainly don't disappoint, it gives you the opportunity to print whatever you want to an extent 😀

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

I was actually surprised at how easy it was to get to grips with it. There wasn't as much of a learning curve as I was expecting and it definitely presents a lot of opportunities for the future. Thanks for watching 😃

James Bond who be proud of you 😎👍

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Or rather Goldfinger 😉

Great video, also a very good demonstration of laser cutters. Having used laser cutters in the past I do find them to be very versatile, and I hope we can see more laser cut things happening in the hobby.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

There does seem to be a lot of potential for them. So far we mostly see laser cut kits but I do wonder if in the future laser cutters will become more common for modellers like 3D printers have in the last few years. Thanks for watching 😃

what a wondeful device.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

It definitely has a lot of potential! I've already used it on several projects for upcoming videos since filming this, including my modular railway! Thanks for watching 😃

Thank you for your honesty, I do wonder just how many ‘ test’ items actually get sent back after giving them a great review 😵😵‍💫🤪

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

So for complete clarity, this machine was sent out as a review sample but I was free to say what I liked about it and give my honest opinion. Creality did ask if I could mention some of the features (like the air assist) but it was all stuff that I would have mentioned anyway. To be fair to Creality they were familiar with my channel before they got in contact and were keen to show off how the Falcon 2 could be used specifically for model railways... something I'll be showing more of in a future video. Thanks for watching 😃

Awesome video! Seeing more laser projects for your railroad would be great!

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I've done a couple of other videos since this one but I'm currently talking to Creality about possibly doing some more next year too. Thanks for watching 😃

what a wondeful device.. Love the specks lol!.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

It certainly opens up a lot of possibilities and comes with it's very own fashion trend! 😅 Thanks for watching 👍

I have a 3D Printer :) i use it to make scenery on my model railway! Great video btw

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Awesome, if you already have the skills to design for and use a 3D printer then I'd definitely say laser cutting is the next logical step... in fact, being more 2D it might even be easier! Thanks for watching 😃

Nice Intro to a diode laser. That and a 3d Printer or two allow us modelers to make just about anything we want. Nice that you mentioned kerf as so few of these hobby videos do not mention this. Having used one (Ortur LM3) for about 9 months now here are some of my observations. Yes Honeycomb and air assist are a must. Be sure to get a honeycomb board that is magnetic (not all are) so you can use magnets to flatten any warped material. And be sure to get a honeycomb that comes with a steel plate to put under it. If it doesn't get one you will want to get something like that to place under the honeycomb. Another MUST have IMO is an enclosure of some sort and to vent outside with a fan. Sure you CAN use in a well ventilated area, but that is not always possible and the glues in some of the plywood can be rather nasty when burned. Yes they are marketed without the enclosure (to keep apparent cost down) , but IMO they are required. Also be sure the glasses they came with are proper for the wave length that your diode operates at. The ones that came with mine had no markings so I looked up the wave length of the diode and got a pair that blocked that wavelength. Even though my enclosure has a window designed to stop the laser light, I feel better knowing at least something is blocking the specific wavelength of the diode. Yes there are extras that are needed for these lasers beyond the initial purchase, and yes it may seem like a lot of extra steps to keep them safe, but to me these are rather minor but necessary. In the end it is another great tool that we can use and only dreamed of a few years ago as before these diode lasers, they were just too far out of the typical hobbyist price range.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Yes figuring out the kerf definitely makes things a lot easier, even if it does take a bit of getting used to. With the ventilation it really depends on the individual. For me having the windows open is plenty as it creates a really nice draft... that's obviously not going to be the case for everyone though. As I said in the video, the thing here is to use common sense like you would with power tools. Thanks for watching 😃

Love the specks lol!

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Haha, you definitely don't want to take any chances with one of these! Thanks for watching 😃

I enjoyed the video very much having just bought one of these machines but there is a big learning curve when it comes to even just designing a box, never mind a house which you do in a later video. Rather than showing us the completed plans, could you produce a video showing the way you draw the plans e.g 2D CAD or straight in on Lightburn and just a general idea of the workflow involved would be great. Keep up the good work!

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Ай бұрын

I am actually planning a video that shows how I design things for laser cutting once I've completed my current layout build. Thanks for watching 😃

Real enjoyed this review. I would like to get one if I had the money for it plus would need to learn more about the programing part. Thanks for sharing this and learned that I would like lasercutter for my layout. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

The hard part is definitely being able to design what you want to cut beforehand. That's the part I've found most tricky but actually using the machine itself was really easy. Thanks for watching 😃

Yeah, I'm gonna get one (as soon as the money is there). This seems like the laser cutter I've been looking for. I want to build my own houses, I find this part of the hobby full of unexplored opportunities.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

If it’s houses you want to make I may have another video coming very soon that may interest you 😉 Thanks for watching 👍

@stormbowman7148

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy That sounds awesome!

@stormbowman7148

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Have you thought about creating the entire module framing on the cutter as well?

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Currently it would be impractical with the size and construction methods used on the existing modules. That said, I'll probably cut the endplates on this in the future and it wouldn't be impossible to use it for a smaller modular project at some point - perhaps N Gauge or 009 😉

@stormbowman7148

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Yeah, I saw someone using it for smaller modules. Definitely something I will investigate.

That's a fantastic product! I wish I could afford one. Can I ask what wood you used for making the box? Did you have to have the wood cut to a specific size? I am hoping we'll be able to see more designs on your layout going forward.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

So for the box I was using 3mm plywood - you don't need it cut to a specific size you just need to make sure it's big enough to accommodate the largest single piece - in this case that was the lid. That said, I've already been experimenting with other materials and thinner wood for scale models where you don't need things to be quite as robust as a storage box. I can say for definite the laser cutter will definitely be featuring in some future videos. Thanks for watching 😃

Have found you channel by flipping around the model railway tubers out there and very much enjoying your presentation and content which is better and easier to understand for a layman, such as myself. Currently been tasked to help an enthusiast build his dream layout, you seem to have everything here I need to get him on the right track so to speak... Also, that's an interesting machine and I'm intrigued by the software - Can you buy files just the same as 3D printing, where you just download and print off the bat?

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

8 ай бұрын

Thank you Martin, so glad you've found the channel interesting and accessible. A good place to start might be directing him to my Model Railway Basics series so he has a general understanding of the steps involved with building a layout. As for the laser cutter, there are websites that have files available for download but the issue in my experience is finding model railway related ones. That said, designing for a laser cutter is just like drawing out parts for scratch-building, just on a computer. Thanks for watching 😃

@MartinFutter70

8 ай бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy excellent, we shall both take a look, and thank you for your help... Have a like and a sub from me 👌

They can send me one, I would be prolific with the designs, I already have a range of 1,000 3D prints I have designed myself!

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

There are links in the description if you want to check out the Falcon 2. Although I would say that that designing for a laser cutter/engraver is fairly different from 3D printing in my experience. Thanks for watching 😃

@TimberSurf

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I did look at the links, but ain't got that sort of money at the moment. You kinda need to design stuff in 3D then break it up into 2D for laser cutting

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

@@TimberSurf Interesting, in my experience it's a completely different process. If I'm not using Lightburn directly then I tend to design in Illustrator (or similar) and build the structure up from there rather than start with a 3D model and break it down. I suppose if you have an existing process for 3D printing it's easier to adapt that than learn a completely new work around though.

First! Huge fan

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

Thanks for the video. Curious how difficult the design software was to learn. I am considering buying a laser cutter but apprehensive about learning the software.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

9 ай бұрын

Hi Mark, it depends which design software you use. Personally I use Affinity Designer 2 but I know a lot of people use Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. There's lots of online tutorials for all those but bear in mind you still need to have a rough idea of what you want to create and how you would create it as if you were scratchbuilding normally. Hope that makes sense and thanks for watching 😃

It is worth noting that laser goggles need to be specced to the laser. If you do buy additional laser glasses for this (say for another person in the room) make sure they are UV laser goggles and not infra red (CO2 laser)ones

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Yes I think if anyone was going to buy extra glasses they would naturally want to get the type that is correct for the laser they use. Thanks for watching 😃

Interesting video. Is the cutter large enough for O gauge for a similar storage box?

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

The working area is 400x415mm - though I believe Lightburn has some settings where you can cut larger pieces in sections by moving the material along the bed. Thanks for watching 😃

If you have a end to end layout do you need a wire from one end to the other to complete the circuit or can you just run trains like normal?

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

No, never do that even on a circular layout! One rail is positive, the other negative and you complete the circuit when power flows through the loco/motor from one to the other. Thanks for watching 👍

That was a great demonstration of what looks like a very capable machine! I've been using a Cricut machine for a few projects this year, and while I think it's a great machine, I'd love to be able to cut thicker materials with it. You mentioned that the laser could cut through 15mm plywood, which is impressivel! Can I ask, can you set it up to rout channels into plywood? Will it cut card without setting it alight? Or plasticard without melting it? Also, how fast is it? How long did it take to cut out your box for example? Sorry for all of the questions! Keep up the good work! All the best, Ian.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Hi Ian, I'm still very much a beginner when it comes to using a laser cutter so I may not be the best to answer but I'll give it a go. - I haven't tried routing channels myself but it might be possible by engraving a very deep channel in the wood, it would take a long time though. The easier way would be to cut raised runners as separate parts to fix on later but that won't be desirable for every project. - Cutting card is absolutely fine. The built in air assist really does a great job at stopping any fires. Most plastics are a no-go though as they melt and release toxic gas too. - The max speed is listed as 25,000mm/min. In reality though, you alter the speed and power depending on the material you're cutting/engraving. I cut the entire box in about half an hour, taking into account a lot of faffing as I was filming it too. Naturally things speed up as you get more familiar with the process, especially if you end up cutting things in batches too. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

@iansngauge

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy - That's great thanks! I look forward to seeing what you make next!

I'm moving my layout into my room so I'll have enough room to return to 3rd radius again 😃

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

Nice, wider curves always look nice on standard gauge layouts. Thanks for watching 😃

@Evan.harrison

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy thank and no problem 😃

Hello, I made similar boxes out of cardboard. Next time I would build boxes in which the cars lie and don't stand because they always roll around a bit and after a while in the boxes I just don't know which cars they are only from the roof view. Uwe

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

For me, the coaches I'm storing are too delicate to be stored on their sides as they have lots of separately fitted parts. As I showed in the video, I stopped them rolling by adding foam at each end of the box to hold them securely. Thanks for watching 😃

What you have is a diode laser, it is OK for basic use. A CO2 laser is more robust with enclosure and built in fan and exhaust. You must wear eye protection for the diode laser. Price wise the CO2 are more expensive. I think CO2 is the better method if you have the extra funds.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

I did mention in the video that this is diode laser. In my opinion, a CO2 laser would be overkill for average hobby use like this since we're not making large batches or cutting particularly thick materials. For occasional use as part of a wider hobby the more accessible diode lasers definitely seem like the better option at the moment. You also don't need to worry about needing to change out the tube on a diode laser either. Thanks for watching 👍

@rehabmax

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I thought your suitcase series was great

Maybe you could make some loco lifts that are a decent size now? 😂

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

11 ай бұрын

The brass/copper sections would be an issue (laser engravers can't cut metal) but the main structure of the lift would easily be possible! Thanks for watching 👍

@IamRobotMonkey

11 ай бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I'm sure you could source bespoke cuts of metal from somewhere dude

Nice video but I was a little disappointed that you didn't talk about price. Yes, I realise that you included a link to the machine, but the point of such videos is for the creators to provide the more basic details. For a modeller who may only be using a laser cutter occasionally, I think that £800-£1100 is rather steep. You mentioned that you were using LightBurn software, but did not say which version; this will determine how much the software will cost.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

In this instance Creality specifically asked me not to make a review video as they wanted the point of the video to be more about what a beginner could make/achieve in a short amount of time. That’s perhaps why I wasn’t as thorough as I usually am with my more typical reviews. Regarding the price, people said the same thing about 3D printers originally and now loads of modellers have them. Similarly If you’re only going to use it occasionally, then yes it’s not really worth it, but they have a multitude of different uses within the hobby from creating scale models to making your own custom baseboards. In some ways I’d say a Laser Cutter is actually more versatile than a 3D printer. For Lightburn, you would (almost) always need the G Code option (which is the cheapest) as the other options are for industrial grade machines and specific hardware. You could also use Laser GRBL instead, which is free. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 👍

Get some ventilation 😂

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

11 күн бұрын

As I explained in the video, the room is already well ventilated. I also covered the benefits of the separate enclosure in another video as well as the upgraded Falcon 2 Pro which has a built in enclosure and extraction system. Thanks for watching 👍

The lack of any sort of cover over the top of the machine and the fact theres no extractor ducting or fan scares the hell out of me. Not gunna lie I wouldnt buy this at all. thats not very safe in my opinion

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

That's pretty standard for all diode lasers like this, I haven't seen any that come with a cover/fan as standard. As I explained in the video, you have to use it in a well ventilated area just like you would for airbrushing for example. But generally this one of the more safe cutters/engravers since it has that triple warning system along with the air assist. Thanks for watching 😃

Great video, I love the idea of owning one of these but I wouldn't buy anything from Creality. I've had two 3D printers from them, the first was faulty and was a previously used model. Creality just didn't want to know, they ignored my emails for help. Eventually after more complaints they sent an email saying "Sorry", that was it. They never swapped the printer at all. Terrible company.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

That's a shame, sorry to hear that. I can't speak for their 3D printers but certainly with the Falcon 2 I've been very impressed and it does seem like a good option for beginners. Thanks for watching 😃

@davidharle952

Жыл бұрын

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Just a thought, when using any laser cutter you should have an enclosure over it and fully vented outside. What you were breathing in your smoke filled room was not only toxic smoke but also toxic particles from the material being cut. You should also wear a respirator of some kind. I only mention it because I know what it's like to suffer severe lung problems, all caused through a lifetime of dirty heavy work.

@ThatModelRailwayGuy

Жыл бұрын

@@davidharle952 As I mentioned in the video, I only had the windows shut very briefly while I was filming that section and like I said it's definitely not something In recommend doing normally. The rest of the time there was no smoke in the room.

@johnd6487

Жыл бұрын

To be fair, you can make an enclosure with the laser.. although you will have to get into intricacies of lightburn for oversized cuts. I have just upgraded from a very low power 5W Atomstack - which got me started, but proved ridiculously slow even at cutting corrugated cardboard - to a near C02 rated 36W diode Ikier model, and plan on using it to make a storage base for an atomstack extractor box I have, that appears to vent out the window suprisingly well.