Laser Cut Paddle Wheels

[rpbidgood]

 The Design/Technology Dept. in the school where I teach (Physics) has a computer controlled laser cutter, and, with the assistance of the members of the dept. I have been experimenting and producing paddle wheels for my next project, which will probably be some sort of hybrid of the Lulonga and Santa Ana/Southern Cross (my gallery) - basically, I don't want the paddle wheels covered, I want to see them churning up the water . The paddle wheels were drawn using a program called 2D Design, it literally takes the HoD 10 - 15 minutes to draw the wheel and paddles from scratch (providing I have worked out the dimensions beforehand) - it takes me hours.
 The first design (red wheel) is made from 1.5mm hips (polystyrene) and the whole slots together for assembly and becomes quite rigid, even before gluing. The green wheel has a slightly thicker outer ring and the paddles are cut from 2mm plastic, and in the picture has not even been glued yet. I might go for 2mm thickness all round, but I don't want to lose the delicacy of the design. The white paddle has been cut from a nylon(y) material that they had lying around, it would prove almost indestructible except that it doesn't like being glued - a hot glue gun would probably work, but would be a bit messy.
 The cutter will slice through quite thick mdf. (5mm ish), so would cut through thin marine ply with ease, but I can't see any advantage over the polystyrene, which is strong but flexible, is simple to glue, has a nice surface finish and doesn't need waterproofing.

[Eddy Matthews]

So where should we send our orders? 

They look excellent - I only wish I had access to a laser cutter, boy that would save a LOT of work!!

Regards
Eddy

[steamboatmodel]

They look fantastic. When I win the Lottery, a Laser Cutter is on my list, right after the CNC Machine Centre.
Are you taking orders? What are the dimensions?
Regards,
Gerald

[rpbidgood]

Hi,
    The dimensions of the paddle wheels are 14cm x 6cm approx, ie. the size to fit the Lulonga (free plan Model Boats).

I too would love to own a laser cutter - a mere £10,000 I have been told. Sounds quite reasonable to me, at least that's what I told my wife.

As a Physics Teacher and model maker, I have been able to help the Design Craft Technology Dept. on a number of their projects/contests over the last few years, and, in gratitude, they let me play with their equipment. My favourite is of course the laser cutter, and, when I retire next July it is one thing in the school that I will certainly miss. They also have a very nice 3D router, but that is far more difficult to program and is a most temperamental beast - I wont miss that.

The projects have also brought me into contact with a number of useful firms -  C R CLARKE, who make beautiful plastic forming machines, who vacuum formed our model car body design for one competition. Then there's the hull for the Lulonga! that's a possibility.

At least when I retire I hope to have more time and more energy to devote to my hobbies, at the moment my progress resembles snail's pace, and, if I keep in contact with these sources perhaps they will still indulge on occasion.

Best wishes,
                 Keith.

[Barrie]

Keith,

Ypou can still buy the moulded hull for Lulonga from Model Boats - I found that out AFTER I had built my own

Barrie

[FWE]

Havings taken years off my life and several layers of skin off my fingers cutting out Director Class paddle sideplates from solid brass sheet with drill and file, this looks like cheating!!