Find us on Youtube Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Pinterest Sign up for our email newsletter
See inside current issue of Finescale Modeler Magazine
See inside current issue of Finescale Modeler Magazine

THE MAGAZINE

        CONTACT US

          RECENT ARTICLES

          POPULAR TOPICS

          RECENT REVIEWS

          POPULAR TOPICS

            RECENT REVIEWS

            POPULAR TOPICS

              RECENT VIDEOS

              POPULAR TOPICS

                RECENT THREADS

                CATEGORIES

                  NEW PRODUCTS

                  OUR STORE

                    CURRENT ISSUE

                    See inside the current issue of Finescale Modeler Magazine

                        SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

                        Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

                        Search

                        Question about styrene

                        1995 views
                        5 replies
                        1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
                        natvtxn
                        • Member since
                          September 2007
                        • From: Belton, MO
                        Question about styrene
                        Posted by natvtxn on Saturday, January 19, 2008 6:03 PM

                        I've searched and researched 'til I'm blue in the face for a clue...

                        Alright, I want to buy some sheet styrene to try my hand at doing some scratchbuilding.  Now I know it's inexpensive but since I have to mail order I was hoping someone could give me some advice as to what is a good "general" size (or two/three) to go with.  Now I realize this question poses a multitude of factors/variants for one to consider...but I'm just talking in general.

                        For ex. I am working with a 1/72 B-17.  If I wanted to make some little control boxes, comm boxes whatever what would be a good starting point.

                        I've never worked with this stuff before, is it basically the same material the plastic model is made from?  Stiffer?  Softer?  

                        Oh yea one more thing...what is this "gap-filling" super glue I keep reading about in FSM?  (I can only guess that it will probably be something I can't order online and have shipped os)

                         

                        Thanks in advance to whoever decides to throw me a bone..

                         

                         

                        Report Abuse
                        stikpusher
                        • Member since
                          July 2004
                        • From: Sonora Desert
                        Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, January 19, 2008 11:26 PM

                        For a good starter pack of sheet styrene pick up a variety set that comes with several thicknesses. For making 1/72 control boxes in a B-17 a single piece of the thicker sheet filed and cut to sahpe will result in a nice box. In larger scales, you may want to use thinner sheets to actually build the box with 4 sides and a face.

                        Sheet plastic is usually softer that the kit plastic, but not by much.

                        Gap filling super glue is the same as gel super glue. Even the standard "thin" stuff you buy at the store for general purpose will work on smaller gaps.

                         

                        F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

                        U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

                        N is for NO SURVIVORS...

                               - Plankton

                        LSM

                         

                        Report Abuse
                        natvtxn
                        • Member since
                          September 2007
                        • From: Belton, MO
                        Posted by natvtxn on Monday, January 21, 2008 8:45 PM

                        Thanks! 

                         

                        Report Abuse
                        srspicer
                        • Member since
                          January 2008
                        • From: Pennsylvania, USA
                        Posted by srspicer on Monday, January 21, 2008 9:23 PM

                        Hello,

                         I've been working with styrene for many years. Evergreen and Plastruct are good starting points for supplies. I would also recommend that you use a liquid solvent rather than super glue. Liquid solvent will give you more working time than CA glue and you can also reposition you styrene while working, for a proper fit.

                        Just my 2 cents.

                         Regards,

                         Scott

                        www.srsprototyping.com
                        Report Abuse
                        grizz30_06
                        • Member since
                          March 2005
                        • From: The Red Hills of South Carolina
                        Posted by grizz30_06 on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:38 AM

                        I have never really used the "hobby super glues" I usually use just what ever is in the store.  I think that some of it is thicker bodie,die it may fill gaps somewhat better.  I have used the "gel" type super glue but I still find is somewhat easier to just use a few thin layers of glue and build up if I am trying to fill a gap.  One thing I have learned about using super glue is to have a good applicator.

                        As far as styrene goes like the others said it is some what softer than the plastic in models but, not to soft.  I got "the Duplicator" from MicroMark for Christmas and it has vastly improved my ablity to cut squarely (I have the same problem with cutting wood).  I really want to get "the Chopper next but we'll see.

                        Grizz

                        Denial, it's not just a coping mechanism, it's a way of life.
                        Report Abuse
                        Rocketfin2
                        • Member since
                          January 2008
                        • From: florida
                        Posted by Rocketfin2 on Saturday, January 26, 2008 8:14 PM

                         

                        "For Sale" signs, from a hardware store, can be a cheap alternative for use in some cases.

                        Sometimes they are only $ 1.00 and easy to get fast.

                        The larger signs are usually thicker as well.

                        Can't use them for everything, but I keep some around. If you are going to fill a hole or putty over it anyhow, it's low cost, and no one is going to see it.

                        Hope that helps. :-) 

                         

                         

                        Bruce Kim http://www.rocketfin.com/mcc/main.cfm "If you follow the classical patterns, you are understanding the routine, the tradition, the shadow - You are not understanding yourself." BL
                        Report Abuse
                        JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

                        Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

                        SEARCH FORUMS
                        FREE NEWSLETTER
                        SIGN UP
                        By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.
                          More great sites from Kalmbach Media
                            Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy