SW1 from France

[bambuko]

It seems to have only appeared on Trainboard 
and since some people don't frequent that joint   :
here the links to photos:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/proto87.team/Images/ZA101_1.jpg
and
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/proto87.team/Images/ZA101_2.jpg
I didn't hotlink since I don't like doing this without owner's permission, but trust me - well worth having a look 
Chris

[DKS]

Yes, I saw that--it's a stunning piece of work. He's either pro, or has access to pro equipment--there's a lot of very fine half-etching he's done. I'm really anxious to see how he deals with the mechanism. He say he's using Micro-Trains motor, gears and trucks. That'll be quite a squeeze.

[Pray59]

He said he gets his etching done by Exella in Romania.
http://www.exella.eu/english/home.html

I went to their site and they take direct Corel, Autocad, and Illustrator vector files and use that to deposit resist film on the metal, saving a develop step and getting a cleaner etch.

You can upload your artwork, along with notes as to what you want, they give you a quote, and you paypal them.

It sounds too easy, but I think I will give it a try!

[DKS]

I had stumbled across the Exella website a couple years ago, and bookmarked it for future reference--or I thought I had. Turns out, for whatever reason, I lost the link. I'm delighted to see not only the website resurface, but the kind of output one might expect from them. Highly encouraging! I might ditch plans of DIY etching my languishing MP15DC, and let them do the work for me.

[Chris333]

Cool guinea pigs  ;D  If it works for you guys I'll give it a shot.

[GaryHinshaw]

Please report on any experience with this outfit.  Etching is the kind of thing I'd love to have someone else do for me.  One might also imagine pooling runs among like-minded modelers for cost savings.

The switcher is sweet.

[Chris333]

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/proto87.team/Zscale_2.html
400 Euro or $500 US Strange because 400 Euro is about $593 US

I wanna see a video of it running.

[DKS]

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/proto87.team/Zscale_2.html
400 Euro or $500 US Strange because 400 Euro is about $593 US

About what I expected. Looks like I'll have to start saving my pennies.

I wanna see a video of it running.

Ditto.

[Dave Schneider]

He said he gets his etching done by Exella in Romania.
http://www.exella.eu/english/home.html

I went to their site and they take direct Corel, Autocad, and Illustrator vector files and use that to deposit resist film on the metal, saving a develop step and getting a cleaner etch.

You can upload your artwork, along with notes as to what you want, they give you a quote, and you paypal them.

It sounds too easy, but I think I will give it a try!

I am interested in how you specify the thickness dimension in a vector file format. Would it all be one level or thickness, or would you supply different thicknesses by layers? I am interested in doing plug door reefer sides, but I am not sure I can commit to the cost at present and don't want to waste their time. Could you let us know if this comes up in your discussion with them?

Best wishes, Dave

[Chris333]

I don't know vector, but I imagine it would be a lot like the drawings Bob posts. Just color code the different areas. As for thickness there is only etch all the way through or half way. You can go half way from both sides.

[wcfn100]

Yeah, what Chris said.  Here's their example.


http://www.exella.eu/data/03_Exella_Illustrator.PDF



Jason

[Sokramiketes]

I think Chris might be the only one that works fast enough to benefit from home etching.     For the rest of us, sending to a custom etching house is a lot less hassle... no chemicals to dispose of, no wasted evenings trying to get something to work, tighter tolerences.  It might cost a little less in the long run to do your own home etching, and you might get it done faster once you're up to speed... but otherwise, just send it out.

Indiana Micro-Etch is a stateside company that will do custom projects.  MTL uses them for production.  There's a great company here in Chicago run by a couple Russians that does fantastic work and will even etch to a different level (ie not just halfway) but they only want to deal with production quantities.  I think for the hobbiest, PPD-LTD overseas is the way to go.  I've sent projects to them with .003" diameter rivets on .003" thick brass and they've nailed it.  And they're used to doing single sheets with no minimum, and are familar with the hobby side of etching.  Pricing is extremely reasonable for the service, even with the exchange rates, and turn-around is generally a month.

Not to say Exella isn't worth pursuing, I just haven't needed to try them yet.  As long as any of these companies are willing to deal with you, the results should be pretty good. 

[Chris333]

Yeah plus by the time I would get my etchings back I'd be on my next modeling scale/genre by then    Also haven't needed anything etched in bulk yet.

Still I'd get much better results and "outie" rivets.


FWIW  Indiana Micro Etch couldn't open my CAD files even though they use CAD  ???  Bob Knight uses Illustrator and I can't use that. Different companies use different formats.  The up front costs are to create the artwork films. Once they are made you can etch as many as you want with them. Sounds like Excella doesn't use films.

[Sokramiketes]

Yeah plus by the time I would get my etchings back I'd be on my next modeling scale/genre by then    Also haven't needed anything etched in bulk yet.

Still I'd get much better results and "outie" rivets.


FWIW  Indiana Micro Etch couldn't open my CAD files even though they use CAD  ???  Bob Knight uses Illustrator and I can't use that. Different companies use different formats.  The up front costs are to create the artwork films. Once they are made you can etch as many as you want with them. Sounds like Excella doesn't use films.

Another plus for PPD-LTD is that they can handle Illustrator, Corel, or Cad (.dxf and .dwg).

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks everyone for the information on etching sources and preparing vector files. I have wanted to try some etching, but haven't wanted to deal with the chemicals.

Best wishes, Dave