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Making Etta’s Place with the Creality Falcon2 | Part 3

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

It's time to finish up our build of Etta's Place and work it into the overall scene on my On18 Bandit Canyon Ry. I also offer some final thoughts on the Creality Falcon2 22w Laser and its usefulness to the hobbyist. I was recently sent one of these diode laser machines for review and this is my third video ascertaining its value to my creative process and possibly yours. I'm very pleased with the way the structure has turned out and have no complaints about the general capabilities of the machine. I received the machine for review, but to be as objective as possible, I'm not accepting any compensation from the brand or its marketing partners. If you are shopping for a laser cutter, I hope this series of videos will help you to make a more informed decision.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

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Creality Falcon2: https://store.creality.com/products/falcon2-22w-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=ytZBUS Coupon code: Falcon50（$310 Off）
Creality Products Collection: https://store.creality.com/pages/creality-engravers?aid=ZBUS
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWJ2LX74?maas=maas_adg_E293166AE9FFEC212F3A25EA91B7EBF3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Making Etta's Place Part 1: https://youtu.be/l394hqucpk8
Making Etta's Place part 2: https://youtu.be/UUL1oSRflM0
Designing Laser Cut Structures with Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/5pZWQwMsZPY

Making Etta’s Place with the Creality Falcon2 | Part 2

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Welcome back to Etta's Place, my current structure build where I'm putting the Creality Falcon2 22w Laser Cutter/Engraver through its paces. I was recently sent one of these diode laser machines for review and this is my second video ascertaining its value to hobbyists. I'm trying to be as objective as I can and give an honest assessment, free of the usual marketing hype. I received the machine for review, but I'm not accepting any compensation from the brand or its marketing partners. My goal is to see if and how the machine can be integrated into my creative process, and possibly yours. Along the way, we'll talk about safety, quality, and value for the dollar as I take "Etta's Place" from a stack of laser cut parts to an O scale model structure ready for the layout.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Creality Falcon2: https://store.creality.com/products/falcon2-22w-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=ytZBUS Coupon code: Falcon50（$310 Off）
Creality Products Collection: https://store.creality.com/pages/creality-engravers?aid=ZBUS
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWJ2LX74?maas=maas_adg_E293166AE9FFEC212F3A25EA91B7EBF3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Relate videos:
Making Etta's Place Part 1: https://youtu.be/l394hqucpk8
Designing Laser Cut Structures with Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/5pZWQwMsZPY
Quick Tip on Laser Cutting Materials: https://youtu.be/P5uYP-jez8I

Making Etta’s Place with the Creality Falcon2 | Part 1

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Fun with lasers! I've been provided with a new Creality Falcon2 22w Laser Cutter/Engraver for review and put it right to work on a new structure build. I wanted to see if I could get the same quality laser cut parts from this lower cost machine that I've become accustomed to with my 50w Co2 laser cutter. Follow along as I take "Etta's Place" from a rough sketch to a stack of precision parts ready to build! Along the way, we'll cover design software like Adobe Illustrator and the Lightburn laser driver. Over the next couple videos, I'll be documenting the entire process using this machine and giving you my honest assessment of it as a useful tool for hobbyists.

Note: The honeycomb, stainless steel consumables, roller, and protective cover are NOT INCLUDED with the Creality Falcon2 as it comes "In the Box." I'm informed they are available to be purchased separately at the Creality website. Links below. I apologize for any confusion. The actual purchased product details are subject to the standard "In the Box" provided on the official Creality website.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Links:
Creality Falcon2: https://store.creality.com/products/falcon2-22w-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=ytZBUS Coupon code: Falcon50（$310 Off）

Creality Products Collection: https://store.creality.com/pages/creality-engravers?aid=ZBUS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWJ2LX74?maas=maas_adg_E293166AE9FFEC212F3A25EA91B7EBF3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Designing Laser Cut Structures with Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/5pZWQwMsZPY

Quick Tip on Laser Cutting Materials: https://youtu.be/P5uYP-jez8I

 

Bandit Canyon Ry | Building a PWM Throttle for Smooth DC Power

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

BCRy Part V. My On18 Bandit Canyon Railway runs on good old fashioned analog DC power - but I haven't always been that thrilled with the performance of the usual commercial hobby power packs. In this episode, I use a Pulse Width Modulating (PWM) regulator to build a better DC power pack that delivers smooth current for much improved running - especially at slower speeds! And I fit it all in a custom 3.25" x 2.5" case that mounts out-of-the-way below the layout roadbed. Just say no to bulky power packs!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

PWM Regulator

A Haunted Hoedown | Sound and Special Effects for Gruesome Gulch | GGRR 22

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

It's special effects time! In this installment of the Gruesome Gulch build, I install a pair of Pricom Dream Players with custom soundtracks from Fantasonics Engineering. Then it's time to add, lights, motion, and a UV illuminated set to the final scene in Cadaver Caverns. I use the old reliable "Pepper's Ghost" effect to bring an otherworldly western town to back to life with a cast of ghostly characters. It may not be a swingin' wake, but it's definitely a Haunted Hoedown!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Many thanks to Jim Wells and Fantasonics Engineering: http://www.fantasonics.com/
Pricom Designs Dream Players and amps: https://pricom.com/audio/players.shtml
Tang Band speakers: https://www.parts-express.com/Tang-Band-T1-2025SC-1-5-8-Full-Range-Speaker-Module-264-939?quantity=1

Modeling a Burned Building! | Lou Cipher’s Mercantile | GGRR 21

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Please join me for the FINAL structure build for Gruesome Gulch - and this one's a doozy! Follow along as I model "Lou Cipher's Mercantile," the burned out husk of the local general store. And thanks to a few simple special effects, the fire seems to still be smoldering inside!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

More Bridges and Scenery for Cadaver Caverns | Gruesome Gulch | GGRR 20

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

In this installment of the Gruesome Gulch build, I finish up a large portion of Cadaver Caverns, with new bridges, more underground cave scenery, and LED lighting effects. One bridge is a rocky natural arch that looks ready to collapse at any moment, while another is a rickety suspension bridge that looks like it might have come from Indy's Temple of Doom! Plus, track ballasting, weathering and more.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Gruesome Gulch T-shirts: https://bit.ly/GGRRTshirt

The Helldorado Mine | Gruesome Gulch | GGRR 19

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

It's time to build the Helldorado Mine - a mine so deep it goes all the way to... well, Hell-dorado! This latest addition the On30 Gruesome Gulch mini-layout features a compact "gallows style" head frame connected to a semi-collapsed mine shaft that goes right down through Cadaver Caverns. The mine is weathered and detailed to look abandoned, but there may be more here than meets the eye!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

The Eternal Rest Hotel | Gruesome Gulch | GGRR 18

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Even restless spirits need a place to stay, so this installment of the Gruesome Gulch build is all about creating a run own Victorian era hotel called the “Eternal Rest.” This latest structure for the Gulch is the fanciest yet, dripping with gingerbread and milled details in the Carpenter Gothic style. But since this is Gruesome Gulch, everything is just a little off – broken glass, missing boards, chipped and weather paint – and check out those skulls above the windows!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Model Making Quick Tip | Laser Cutting Materials

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Let’s take a look at the laser cutting sheet materials that I commonly use in my builds. Laserboard, MDF, Basswood, Plywood, Chipboard and more, I describe what I use them for, why I like them (or not), and share a few tips on designing for them. Links to all the materials mentioned are below.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Basswood and Model Airplane Plywood: https://www.nationalbalsa.com/
Laserboard, MDF, and Polybak: https://encompass-media.salesvu.com/index.html
Chipboard: https://a.co/d/cw2wPYc
Construction Paper: https://a.co/d/8QkRqQl
Basswood Plywood: https://a.co/d/4EdoNlX