hello,
i use the same method to built my ships.
i use 1mm carton found in art-store.
the deck is printed on 80g/m2 paper, ideal is photopaper.
before cutting, this paper is glued with spray-photo glue 3m
on the carton on non shiny face.
afterwards i cut out the various holes, and next the deck
outline, with a scalpel (sometimes breakages, be careful of eyes and fingers!).
i trace axe, and formers position on the back, i fix the deck on a stiff straight wooden plank, next i can build the hull structure, using 1mm carton. i thing that the final quality depend on accuracy of cutting of, don't use scissors, but knife and scalpel, with multiples passings. for the sructure assembling, i use white vinyl glue and i reinforce sometime with small sraps of carton, i use too books but also small pins to support assembling when the glue is drying. don't manipule the structure as long as the glue is strong.
"bon courage!"
philippe