Etched Brass parts/3D printing

[marlina2]

Has anyone used a bespoke photo etching services or laser cutting, for manufacturing paddle wheels. I have embarked on a new project a Director Class paddle tug. I am looking into this to see if it is cost effective, there is a deffinate time saving element plus all the parts required would be  uniform. A deffinate plus when it comes to assembly. Also in the same vain is/has anyone used 3D printing for the manufacture of small parts such as deck fittings? with the cost of a printer in the 2-500 pound range it may be a viable option. It dosent have just be small parts the limiting factor being the size of the printing area and the type of plastic used (some are soluble) I woulld be gratefull for anyones thoughts on this.

[Barry]

www.floataboat.com.au already sell laser cut paddle wheel kits for the Director class tugs. Not shown on the website but email them for details.

[marlina2]

Thanks for that I will

[nakerr]

Hello from Aberdeen, Scotland, I am also building a Director but am planning to use a set of paddlewheels from the Graupner Glasgow, they are about 1 cm larger in diameter but when I did a traced overlay I reckon they will fit with only a minor modification of the paddle boxes and only moving the main shaft up by about 5mm which should put the bottom of the paddles about a centimetre above the keel base. I am using the plastic hull from model boats and hope to start cutting the internal frames this winter (that is if I can stop repairing crashed model gliders which is my main hobby)
Regards,
Norrie