Hello all

I am just getting ready to start my first paper model.
I had my wife print out the pages on some thin card stock
what do you recommend I use to glue the thin printouts to a thicker stock?

any hints on keeping the glueup paper flat?

Thanks

Aaron

Aaron,

Welcome to card stock modeling! The beauty of cardstock is that if you mess up something, just print out another copy and try again. Frustrating at times, but this is how you learn, and improve. I almost always use super glue. It is fast. Others have tried watered down white glue. Still others use glue sticks.

As far as stiffeners, on thicker cardstock (100#) I might just use wooden coffee stirrers as internal bracing. For thin paper (60#) I might glue it on sheet styrene or cardboard. I drink coke in cans and have used the cardboard from the 24 can packaging. It's free and works. Other times I have used 1/4" foamcore. I used this for kits that have flat roofs and use the extra thickness around the roof edges.

Experiment and see what works for you. There is no absolute wrong way or right way. In the freebie's section look for Ben Streeter's tuturorial and the Brothers M. hints and tips.

Same with the right cardstock to print on. I have tried plain old cardstock from a big box office supply store. I have tried Strathmore board from an art supply store, and for the sharpest images - photo paper. I would say they all have pluses and minuses. Again, don't be afraid to experiment and see what works for you.

Most of all have fun!

Hi Aaron
Thanks for asking this question. It tends to come up at fairly regular intervals on this site, so I guess it's time to talk about it again. As David already said, there are many types of cardstock available in the marketplace. You should always try to use the cardstock with the brightest whiteness and smoothest surface that you can. You will probably NOT find these in the big box stores like Office Max or Staples and the like. Their cardstock is good and will work, but for really professional results you will probably have to go to a store like Xpedx. They are, among other things, a paper specialist. They are a national chain, but cater more to the business and professional markets. You can order from them on line, but you do have to "register" with them before they will give you access to their online catalog. For O and limited S scale builds, we recommend their part number 2986, which is an 80# stock. It is listed under their Cougar brand name. For S and HO, their part number 2985 works really well. It is a 65# stock. For N scale, I personally use the 2985, but it is almost too heavy to get the sometimes tiny bends done well. For that, I have been using a 32# stock from Staples. It is their "Store Brand" and works really well. Obviously thinner stock will bend easier than heavier stock, but heavy stock is flatter and more stiff. You will, as your experience level increases, find yourself mixing all types of cards and papers in your builds. What makes card modeling such a great hobby is that you are not limited to what the manufacturer gives you to work with. Don't be afraid to experiment. Do what works for you. YOU ARE the CREATOR of you builds. NO ONE can ever tell you that you are wrong. The point is to make it YOUR way. Share your experiences and questions along the way. That's why this forum is here. We will ALL benefit from your experience. And don't forget to send (email) us your pictures. Eventually, they will end up in the BLOG area.

Thanks everyone.

I will jump in and see what I can create.

Thanks

Aaron