A sort of proposition for members.

[-Matt-]

Right now, I'm not sure if this is the right thing to be posting/putting forward, and I'm not sure if I have the right words for it really.


I have an idea in a sort of way, that I hope could help and benefit members on here.


Now, in my parents garage, I have a workshop of sorts. It's half a double garage (other half is my dads stuff) but I've packed quite a number of bits of machinery and tooling into it.


I know that perhaps quite a few members on here either do not have the skill nor the tools to create specialist/custom pieces and parts so my proposition here is thus;


I like helping people, and I would like to know if anyone has an idea or a requirement for something for their model/diorama etc, and it's something that can viabley make, then I am happy for people to get in touch and I'll see what I can do.


I've joined this forum, and had good responses to my posts, everyone has been friendly and I've learnt a lot from the threads I've been reading, and I'd like to help out anyone that I can.


Thank you for reading


-Matt-

 

[Fenlander]

What sort of things are you thinking of Matt?

 

[papa 695]

I'm sure some members would like wooden bases or plinths with routed edges in normal or bifferent shapes Matt it that's the kind of thing your on about

 

[-Matt-]

I can do shaped plinths yes, quite a simple one that. Round ones too as I have a lathe.


I was also thinking something such as a component for a model.


A member would ask for... a barrel say, given the dimensions and made a small one to scale sizes for the member to then paint accordingly upon receiving.


Granted plastic model barrels exist, thats just an example


-Matt-

 

[eddiesolo]

I take it this is all custom made items. I.E you will not casting preexisting items, reason is the site cannot promote potential copyright infringements.


So, if it is a custom barrels for aircraft, ships or armour and you mill it yourself that sounds okay. As do the plinths.


Not having a go Matt as I like the idea, you just have to be careful as a lot of people read and trawl through this site and so we have to be careful.

 

[-Matt-]

Ooh no nothing like that! All scratch made to request.


I wouldn't dream of recasting an existing product.


What I'm trying for here is more for stuff that may not be available.


I also accept that it may look like I'm just here 'spamming' for business, I've not signed up for that at all. I am enjoying getting back into what I enjoyed as a child.


Basically, my girlfriend and I have the space given to us by my parents where we make the sort of things you'd find at a craft fair and smal furniture stuff.


So far its only been as successful as a few items for friends and for home. Because of the lack of interest on that front I am trying to find ways to put it to good use so that others would benefit.


I'm still new to this forum and it can be difficult fitting in with an established crowd so I hope I haven't overstepped a line here.


Apologies if so.


-Matt-

 

[eddiesolo]

Ooh no nothing like that! All scratch made to request.
I wouldn't dream of recasting an existing product.


What I'm trying for here is more for stuff that may not be available.


I also accept that it may look like I'm just here 'spamming' for business, I've not signed up for that at all. I am enjoying getting back into what I enjoyed as a child.


Basically, my girlfriend and I have the space given to us by my parents where we make the sort of things you'd find at a craft fair and smal furniture stuff.


So far its only been as successful as a few items for friends and for home. Because of the lack of interest on that front I am trying to find ways to put it to good use so that others would benefit.


I'm still new to this forum and it can be difficult fitting in with an established crowd so I hope I haven't overstepped a line here.


Apologies if so.


-Matt-

No worries Matt, sounds like a good plan, plinths of all sizes are useful as are other items. Hopefully you can get it work.

 

[demon]

Sounds a very good idea I think model bases -plinths made from different woods and shapes is a great idea as a lot of modelers don't have the facility for making such things also perspex cases might be an idea


Roger

 

[Mark P]

Sounds a very good idea I think model bases -plinths made from different woods and shapes is a great idea as a lot of modelers don't have the facility for making such things also perspex cases might be an idea
Roger

I'm with Roger on this one! Perspex cases would be a great idea

 

[-Matt-]

Perspex/polycarbonate is trickier for that sort of thing. I know for a fact I cannot do cases as I don't have the facilities to make clean joins and folds.


I do have some pieces of Lexan, but I tend to use that for replacing inserts in machines and such.


Wood is my hobby so I am offering things made out of that, but I'm also work in sheet metal during the week so if anyone were to want something as far as a stainless steel plinth or anything then that is doable also.


I wanted to put something about this in my signature to help others that see my posts but I don't seem to have the option for it? Anyone know anything?


-Matt-

 

[Deleted member 4203]

I wanted to put something about this in my signature to help others that see my posts but I don't seem to have the option for it? Anyone know anything?


-Matt-

Welcome to the forum Matt :D


At the top right corner of the page; if you click your username, a dropdown list should appear, then click Signature (it's under Personal Details). If that doesn't work, try messaging Ian M, or John


Hopefully this helps


Blair

 

[Deleted member 4203]

Double post, sorry :rolleyes: :D

 

[-Matt-]

Thank you for that, I don't have that option, maybe I need more posts to unlock it? Not sure but thanks for your help. I'll send a PM then.


-Matt-

 

[Deleted member 4203]

No problem, I'm sure it's just a small glitch or something of the sorts


Blair

 

[stuart.c.82]

Y

Perspex/polycarbonate is trickier for that sort of thing. I know for a fact I cannot do cases as I don't have the facilities to make clean joins and folds.
I do have some pieces of Lexan, but I tend to use that for replacing inserts in machines and such.


Wood is my hobby so I am offering things made out of that, but I'm also work in sheet metal during the week so if anyone were to want something as far as a stainless steel plinth or anything then that is doable also.


I wanted to put something about this in my signature to help others that see my posts but I don't seem to have the option for it? Anyone know anything?


-Matt-

You'll be surprised how easy it is to make an acrylic box. YouTube "acrylic fish tank" they do it with big thick sheets to hold water.. yours would only need to be thin (2-4 mm) and stuck with clear silicone, you could even just cut to size (you'd need to be accurate but you do have an electric wood saw/bench thing) and supplied as a flat pack with gluing instructions (easier to ship and saves u work) . I imagine the clear glues used on plane/car windows would even hold it. If you mocked some up and they were cheap enough for the online shop here to make a reasonable margin you may well be on to a winner. Good luck!

 

[stuart.c.82]

Looking at what's easily available online at the moment, if the shop here could supply them at around


£4-5 for a nicely routered unpainted mdf/pine base that the buyer would stain/paint.


£8-10 for a flat pack acrylic box (up to say A4 size obviously more if bigger)


Plus a reasonable postage you'd certainly be competitive. Just bear in mind to use anyone's web shop they would need a decent margin but that's for u to sort out.

 

[-Matt-]

That was the only way I could see it being done as well, though I'm unsure of how good/obvious the join lines would be. Only bigger thing I've used it for was a safety screen on a milling machine where I used to work (no-one likes chips of hot metal flung at them).


Cutting is not a problem, I've cut it on my bandsaw easy.


May be something I'll look into actually.


Thanks


-Matt-

 

[stuart.c.82]

I have built a lizard tank using acrylic and used a fine tooth wood saw blade on a bench saw. there wasn't any obvious chipping but if you have a router and jig you could always run a very slight shamfer around it (and no I don't know how to spell Shamfer) haha.


You can set up the machine to run a few off at once if the experts here give you some standard dimensions, just to make it cost effective, and offer a bespoke build at cost on request basis.. that way the shop could hold some on a "pay as they sell" basis so the buyer can add shop purchaces to the order and save on postage......


Sounds like a good business plan to me so good luck with it!

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I have an article in an old copy of Fine Scale Modeller that builds display cases out of Perspex and he uses Plastic Weld to join all the parts up and it leaves no marks or residue.


Adrian

 

[stuart.c.82]

Using thin acrylic I wouldn't mitre it even I'd just overlap the edge . Look at glass fish tanks they have edges on show and you don't notice.