The Ship Model Forum

[quote="vaindioux"]Thanks so much for typing all this. I will look into it all.

Pat[/quote]

We will expect a 500 word report, double spaced, sans serif 12pt font, on 20lb pure white bond paper, peer reviewed, by end of day Friday. Cheerio!

Thanks so much for typing all this. I will look into it all.

Pat

At the big hardware stores in my part of the US, I find the For Sale, etc, signs are usually .030" thick, and made of styrene.

Evergreen is a great solution for my needs in 1/700 scale. They make strips down to the "pretty skinny" range - rectangular, square. Smaller than that, into the "very skinny" range, Plastruct's styrene products go down to .010 x .010" (or .3mm x .3mm). Their styrene glues with regular model glue just like Evergreen. On the other hand, Pastruct's ABS does not like to glue with our regular products.
Rick

It's all about being creative.

Find a sign shop and talk to them. Ask about scraps or cutoffs. Some will give it away if they have it, others won't. I once got left over pieces of dense foam from a model shop that made dinosaur skeletons. They carved what they wanted and chucked the rest. Sometimes it's all about timing. Here are some ideas in the Atlanta area,

https://www.google.ca/maps/search/plastic+fabrication/@33.7678952,-84.5849421,11z?entry=ttu

https://www.google.ca/maps/search/sign+shop/@33.7241492,-85.0723666,11z?entry=ttu

https://www.google.ca/maps/search/architectural+models/@33.7219982,-84.5635639,11z/data=!3m1!4b1?entry=ttu

Keep in mind that you really don't need a lot of materials for a 1/700 ship, so maybe a few packs of evergreen will be plenty to start.
It takes time to accumulate a decent supply of 'stuff' that you can pick through for scratch building. It also takes someone who tends to be a bit of a pack rat, squirreling away stuff that 'might' be useful someday!

Regarding wood, balsa and bass woods are great for making a block for a superstructure. Once the shape is right, crazy glue a 0.020" skin of styrene on each side and sand the corners and you have a decent foundation to build on and add details.

Also, there are lots of parts in old models. If you see a built, partially built or kit missing parts or even just a cheap kit that might have a weapon or radar you could use, at a model show or thrift store, it might be worth $5 to get it.

If there are specific aftermarket things you're looking for, scanning through ebay might help, but go to store websites that carry a lot of items, like Freetime, hobbylincjapan, hannants, mega hobby etc. You can use these sites to see what's available, and make a list of manufacturers, then go to the manufacturer websites to see if there are any items not listed at the stores. You'll soon get a feel for what's available and then you can decide what to buy and where from. This site also has a lot of reviews and links to vendors. Use the search button at the top.

For references, google search for images, or websites that might have pics. Buy books, ask people. Facebook might have a group dedicated to that ship or class. Buy a photoCD if available.
Go to museums, you might find a gun on display somewhere.

Research takes time.

[quote="Admhawk"]

Also, you can use metal, brass, aluminum, copper. Or foams, or wood, or resins, or anything that works! You don't HAVE to use styrene for everthing.
And one more thing, buying pre cut shapes makes things easier, but more expensive. There's nothing stopping you from using cheap discarded styrene signs from a sign company or the dump and cutting your own strips.


][/quote]

God, you know so much. I knew about wood and for some reason it seems easier to me to sand or cut wood to create large parts like the hull (1/700 waterline which is easier than full hull).
But i have a resin hull for my first project.

I m very interested by the free styrene from a sign shop.
How do you get that? Do you go buy cheap signs like �Home for sale�, �Do not block driveway�?
Or you go ask them or dumpster dive?

I have so many questions for you but i want to focus on one thing at a time and it�s styrene right now.

I have also been wondering about aftermarket parts (Already made).
I want to make obscur auxiliaries and some small parts will not have the exact gun for example.
Beside Ebay where do you research parts needed?

Do you browse all the aftermarket places?

Thxs again

Pat

You mean like Plastruct? Sure, you can use anything.

One thing to keep in mind, Plastruct sells ABS plastic and Polystyrene plastic. You'll probably need to use Instant glue with the ABS.

Also, you can use metal, brass, aluminum, copper. Or foams, or wood, or resins, or anything that works! You don't HAVE to use styrene for everthing.
And one more thing, buying pre cut shapes makes things easier, but more expensive. There's nothing stopping you from using cheap discarded styrene signs from a sign company or the dump and cutting your own strips.

Here's an example, Styrene pieces for the flat areas, Butterboard for the top that has a lot of compound curves. Butterboard is one of many high density foams used in the sign and structural modeling industries.

[img]http://www.resinshipyard.com/pictures/Weapons/IMG_2191.JPG[/img]

Here's laser cut acrylic and styrene,

[img]http://www.resinshipyard.com/pictures/Nimitz/Island/100_6073.jpg[/img]

Hi

Rooky here.
I noticed online there are other styrene sheets than �Evergreen�.
I haven�t compared prices but was wondering if other brands are ok to use too?

Thxs

Pat