Scratch-Built

[Sikkiyn]

Being a re-invented new modeller, I am interested in the tips and tricks used for scratch building needed parts, addons, and any other ideas that can be used to achieve a better model.

[Gennady I. Beregovoy]

At www.armorama.com there's a forum devoted to scratchbuilding.

 

Biggest tip I can think of right now is don't be limited with the materials you're using. Wood, steel, plastic of all sorts... all these can be fashioned to create what you want.

[Sikkiyn]

Thanks Gennady.

 

It has been over a decade since I built my last model, so I am having to recall methods used.

[TankB0y]

The only problem I have scratchbuilding is getting the basic dimensions and structure scaled right.

[LongDistanceOperator]

I think it might be easier to give you an answer if you tell us a specific part you want to build.

 

Scratchbuiding tips in general:

 

Get a Dial Caliper. This has got to be the most useful tool for scratchbuilding, PERIOD. Without it, you're just guessing for dimensions.

 

New Main Gun barrels can be made from brass tubing. If you wanna go the low-buck method, get some telescoping brass tubing and build up the shape you need. Solder the pieces together and use putty for short tapered sections. (If you can use putty to make a taper for the full barrel length, you're a better man than I). This will not work for all barrels, of course. It may work for some old, obsolete kit with an "easy" barrel shape though.

[Sikkiyn]

LDO, no specific part, more of a general blanket statement on my road to re-discovery.

[Sikkiyn]

I am curious, & reminder, ignorant over the last decades changes.

 

Would not metal be too heavy for fixing to plastic parts in any large quantity, without fixing some form of base to support the added weight?

[LongDistanceOperator]

I can't believe I didn't think of this before; go to http://missing-lynx.com/index.htm

 

Click on Discussion Forums and there's one about Tips & Techniques.

[Sikkiyn]

Thanks LDO, that link looks like it will help out a lot..