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Scratch building
is often a way to solve a problem. Sometimes there
is no model kit for what you want, so you have to
make it out of different materials yourself.
Other
times, you may need to make an additional part, big
or small, to accent your model, or you may want to
make a diorama or custom display base.
These
are some common materials used to create the scale
model project you always wanted, or make an existing
model kit better.
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Styrene
Modeling |
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Let's
start with the base of your project. Precut pieces of wood, in
this case a Birch plywood, make an easy place to begin. It's finished
(smooth) on one side, and already cut to size. It's available
in 1/8,1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 thickness', depending on what you want.
Obviously
you can get wood locally, if you live near a Lowes or something,
but these are already cut to size, and ready to go. Which is especially
handy if you don't have tools to cut your own, or live near a
big chain store.
If
you need a smaller, finished base for
your model project, Click
Here.
Note
that the wood is normally covered with something if it's a diorama
terrain you're making. You would cover it with materials that
were plant like, or paint it to look like concrete or stone, depending
on the model subject.
I
like to cover my wood with plastic sheets for an ultra smooth
surface. You don't need expensive sheet plastic for that. Just
use a cheap
FOR SALE plastic sign. It's easy to cut, and comes in small
or very
large sheets. The ultra smooth surface will allow you to paint
right on top of the plastic, without worrying about wood grain
to cover and sand, or even using primer in most cases. (Note:
this plastic is not high quality, like Evergreen or Plastruct,
and won't glue together as well, but you're going to paint and
glue all over it anyway, so it's fine to cover wood).
(the
plastic shown above is green because it was real cheap, and it's
going to be painted over anyway. Every dollar you save on materials
is another dollar to buy a model with!)
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Quality
Sheet plastic has been used for decades to make almost anything
when it comes to models. From spacecraft, to architectural buildings,
to car trailers, to submarines. The plastic is available in different
thicknesses.
The
thicker ones are good for support and are stiff, while the thin
ones can be curved and used to cover a frame structure. You can
normally cut the plastic with a hobby knife or a really good pair
of scissors. A CA Type glue is
usually needed to glue the parts.
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White
Plastic Tube & Rod Assortment |
If
you don't know, or are not familiar with the thickness sizes
of rods and tubes, the assortment to the left is a good
set to start off with.
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Other
helpful shapes are made in assortments
and individual packages as well.
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