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Disposeable new spreaders;

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  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Disposeable new spreaders;
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Sunday, September 1, 2019 3:57 PM

Ya Know!

      For many years we all have been using or recommending credit Cards,or the false Credit cards sent in the mail. These were also recommended as a newfound way to gain spare plastic in smaller sheets. 

     Well, Modelers,I hate to disappoint you. They have wised up. Now although they look the same,They Ain't! I got two in the mail the other day and thought, hmm? some more for the tool stash.

      Well, guess what.They are only good for putty spreaders now. They look plastic, but, I guarantee they are not! All you have to do is one of two things. Try to tear it in half or put a fingernail or X-acto blade on the edge. If it's plastic it won't peel or tear !

     So, If you are hoping to garner more little plastic Rectangles for scratch-building well,then check well first.   T.B.

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Monday, September 2, 2019 1:43 AM

I use either the old type or the new as spreaders as you mentioed or as disposable pallettes for paint, ca glue putty, or whatever. When done just dispose of them in the trash.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, September 2, 2019 8:52 AM

I get a lot of postcard type advertisements in the mail (usually bigger than postcard size).  They are cardboard with a plastic coating. I use them for spreading, and as easels for CA glue and drybrushing paint.  I cut them to a convenient size, and have so many pieces now that I am saving only the very best- good plastic coating and light color.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Thursday, September 5, 2019 12:02 PM

Yeah, most used to be plastic, and I salvaged them for use as card stock.  Now most are either cardboard, or materials other than plastic.

Like Don, I use those as palettes for mixing epoxy glues.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, September 6, 2019 10:38 AM

the Baron

Yeah, most used to be plastic, and I salvaged them for use as card stock.  Now most are either cardboard, or materials other than plastic.

Like Don, I use those as palettes for mixing epoxy glues.

 

Most that I get are cardboard core with a plastic coating.  The usefullness of the cards depend a lot on how thick that plastic coating is.  If the plastic coating is not thick enough, regular thin CA leaks into the cardboard, but I can still use it with gel CA and with paint.  The stuff with a thicker coating of plastic works as an easel even with the thin CA. I find even the thinned coating ones works for epoxy.

 

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, September 6, 2019 11:36 AM

For scratchbuilding, I just use styrene sheet anymore.  Though, that includes using "Yard Sale" and other signs.  At my old job, too, I salvaged the name plates when employees left.  They were about 8"x2 1/2" or 3", relatively thick.  I use those for bases for 1/1200 ships.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, September 7, 2019 6:50 AM

Speaking of card stock, I love IBM punch cards.  They are thin cardboard, with a very thin coating of something that takes prime nicely.  I find even with a bunch of already punched cards, seldom are most of them punched more than halfway across.

I ran out of my own supply many years ago, and talking about them in these forums someone offered to send me several pounds of them just for the price of postage, which I immediately sent. I still have about a  two inch stack of them.  They are quite thin, work well as armor shields on ships, etc.  They cut with smooth edges and fold very nicely (in spite of warnings not to :-)         ).

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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