I have been working over 10 years on S scale model trains updating and upgrading certain features that caused reliability issues. In the last several years i have been asked to look into new engine kits. We have 3D Printable Steam Engine Tenders, Chassis and trucks. We just started into Steam engine chassis that are 3D Printable and are now building a new Controller. I was building a Base Controller with ESP32 Tech but was struggling with Wireless Options. Now with ESPNOW we are really making bid strides in development. I was sent to V1 to get solid reliable ESP32’s. My order is the cart now, but while here I was looking around and saw a CNC capable of Sheet metal cutting. Now my question. Could such a machine be able machine sheet for Steam Engine linkage. There has been a critical shortage of linkage for vintage trains for years. Now as we need new linkage for our engines i am searching the least expensive machine that could be used to cut a wide range of thin sheet metal linkage parts that get riveted together then screwed on to chassis or wheels of the steam engines. Is anyone interested in helping use make some test parts or offer a used lowrider CNC machine for a fair price? Anyone interested in model trains like these old American Flyer S Scale by AC Gilbert we are searching for Replicators that could take our 3D parts designs, Our Controller designs this linkage requirement and supply parts to our Hobbyist that want to build the Kits. All of our work is Open. This is a few retired hobbyist and engineers working on passion not profit. Looking for Replicators, Flyer Hobbyist, and fellow builders, Dennis on You Tube as “Frankentrain Laboratories”.
I failed to mention that I did build a DIY Mini Mill from cheap X Y table and a old Dremel and 3 D Printed Z axis, with Steppers and CNC software, But it was very poorly structured and was not usable. So I may have some stuff I could reuse. The linkage is smaller that 12 inches long an certainly only about 1/2 wide the most. I was thinking about 12 inches wide an 6 long for a active cutting surface. Dennis
Welcome. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised but putting an ESP32 in a model train isn’t something I would have imagined. That could certainly enable some interesting functionality.
My train knowledge is pretty limited but comes from my grandfather who has a pretty large O scale train collection, including American Flyers.
If you need a standard ESP32 devkit with 8 MB of flash, they’re difficult to find elsewhere. Note that there are many kinds of ESP32s. Many new projects tend to use newer versions such as the ESP32-S3.
Yea, it’s interesting. I’m using an ESPNOW remote to control LEDs.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091TGDS6F
The issue here is that you are talking steel which is quite advanced, especially for a hobbyist level machine. It requires a lot of rigidity and there’s not much wiggle room on having proper feeds and speeds. If there are small details, it becomes more difficult. It has been done with V1 machines, but it is very rare. Most here are just cutting wood, although more and more are cutting aluminum.
Well, that would be the smallest LowRider I’ve ever seen and pretty small for an MPCNC. Having a small size would certainly help with rigidity.
Honestly, for something like this, I would consider trying a service like SendCutSend:
That’s probably going to use a fiber laser or maybe even a waterjet depending.
I send a message to Send Cut Send to see if they would interested with my Model Train Linkages. But even with a small machine why can’t hobbyist get at laser and cut the parts out. I was very impressed when I walked through the assembly process looked at the purchased parts. I would really like to get one used and down size it then get the laser cutter. I am retired so i can’t do all I want. But we need these parts.
It has been done with V1 machines, but it is very rare. See that is my call sign, I like doing things others don’t or can’t do.
Mini or Petite Plasma cutter for Short Low Rider to cut Sheet Metal Linkages??
It would probably need to be a plasma cutter for steel. The diode lasers commonly used with the Low Rider or MPCNC will not cut metals. There are threads here where others have added a plasma cutter to their low rider, so the idea is possible.
A fiber laser to cut metal parts that size would probably be outside the budget of most hobbyists.
While I subscribe to that kind of enthusiasm, there are a lot of smart, talented people here. I’m concerned that you’re underestimating the difficulty. Do I think it can be done? Sure. Do I think that you are going to get high quality parts without a ton of effort? Probably not.
SendCutSend is just a service. You upload a DXF, get a quote, and they cut it. They don’t care what it is.
Fiber lasers are super expensive.
just watched the MPCNC and I am sold on that structure for a hobby Model Train Linkage Replicator… Its cost effective, has the range in motion and simple proven design. Just need to settle on a cutter for then sheet metal i need to get the thickness and search out options. I am feeling pretty good about this project compared to the failed Mini CNC i just set aside and repurposed the PC.
I’ll bet send cut send or similar services can make a bunch of small parts for the $600-$1000 it would take to build a small V1 machine.
How many of these parts get made on an average basis?
What size are these linkages? What thickness of sheet are they cut from?
That starts driving whether or not the machine is suitable for the production task as much as operator skill and ability.
I like the idea. It would be an experiment and you’d be pushing the boundaries for sure.
There are many posts (most of them much older) where someone asked if something could be done, got a “no”, and then posted positive results.
As long as you know the risks, I vote you go for. For Science!
This is always the answer! 
“For Science”
This is the real question, along with how many and type of metal. If they are thin sheet, reasonable tolerance, and you need a bunch, using a service like Send Cut Send or Protolabs to machine a punch tool then using a cheap hydraulic/pnuematic/arbor press to stamp them out might be a better idea than dealing with CNC cycle time and trying to hold down a thin sheet…
Welcome @DMurf! Sounds like a neat project. Are your linkages shared on GitHub or somewhere?
Have cut sheet metal (galvnized steel 
) on my LowRider 3 before… https://azab2c.com/make?r=1.4&t=07_09_45&v=1_18 very slow trochoidal cut with 1/8" bit. Not something I’d want to do much.
I forget what gauge, was commonly stocked metal from Home Depot in HVAC parts aisle.
Cutting Aluminum sheet would be easier, can buy Alu sheets for kick plates at home depot and similar stores.
Have previously 3D printed G gauge linkage/carriage/bogie for silly Christmas train. Smaller nozzle would be better.
Sendcutsend and similar services seem to be convenient for people without a CNC, and/or for ordering materials/quantities hard to cut with typical DIY CNC.
If you would like to make a DIY CNC useful for various projects, then, this linkage project sounds like a helpful way to rationalize making one.
Bingo! As we are now making new custom tender and Steam engine chassis the new engines call for custom linkages to match the real engine as best as we can. That is the real reason for the DIY CNC for sheet metal, but then i learned certain vintage linkages are not made any more that is when I thought its time to consider such a machine. But My Mini Mill project failed so badly I realized finding a real kit would be the best option. Hoping i may get a used one to save some money. Thanks