I'm new to this. I usually build plastic models but I had an idea that I could use the paper model to use a template. And advice on paper models it's a whole new ball game for me with this stuff. Any tips/ advice would be good. And what glues paper to use would also be nice.
New to card models
- Thread starter usmc05
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Welcome to the game 
When it comes to advice on paper models, I am afraid I need to ask you a question first. What do you like? Buildings, airplanes, sci-fi, vehicles, ships, etc. I guess pretty much anything you can imagine can be done as a paper model, starting from very simple with just a few pieces to very complicated with thousands and thousands of parts.
My next question would be if you'd be interested in free models (loads of them available, also on these forums, but be aware that there is lots of model piracy going on) which you have to print yourself or models from different publishers that are already printed (ofcourse ) and which can be very expensive.
When it comes to paper, I would suggest DIN A4, but as I have seen in the forums, this can be tricky for people living in the US. So I'd rather pass (especially since I built models from publishers and have no experience with printing my own stuff)
Glue is a theme in itself. But your basic kit should at least include some basic white wood glue. Apart from that I use cyanoacrylat (Sekundenkleber / Powerglue) and for large surfaces a glue with solvents (solvent-free glues are waterbased and make the paper ripple).
When it comes to advice on paper models, I am afraid I need to ask you a question first. What do you like? Buildings, airplanes, sci-fi, vehicles, ships, etc. I guess pretty much anything you can imagine can be done as a paper model, starting from very simple with just a few pieces to very complicated with thousands and thousands of parts. My next question would be if you'd be interested in free models (loads of them available, also on these forums, but be aware that there is lots of model piracy going on) which you have to print yourself or models from different publishers that are already printed (ofcourse
) and which can be very expensive. When it comes to paper, I would suggest DIN A4, but as I have seen in the forums, this can be tricky for people living in the US. So I'd rather pass (especially since I built models from publishers and have no experience with printing my own stuff)
Glue is a theme in itself. But your basic kit should at least include some basic white wood glue. Apart from that I use cyanoacrylat (Sekundenkleber / Powerglue) and for large surfaces a glue with solvents (solvent-free glues are waterbased and make the paper ripple).
Welocme to the forum and welcome to the WONDERFUL WORLD of Paper Modeling.
To answer your questions:
First, Paper: the best kind of paper to use is card stock that is about 110 lbs weight. You can get it at most any office supply store, Wal-Mart, or Michael's craft shop.
Second, Glue: You can use most any glue, but the most common (in the US.) is Aleen's tacky glue. You can pick that up at Wal-Mart, Michael's craft shop (or any other craft shop in your area).
I have found that the same general techniques used in plastic modeling will apply to paper modeling.
There are a TON of free sites out there where you can download models and print them out for free.
Here are a few to get you started:
http://paper-replika.com/
http://www.papercraftmuseum.com/
http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/
http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_scifi.html
Good luck with that.
If there is a particular model that you are looking for, please feel free to ask and we will do what we can to help you find it.
To answer your questions:
First, Paper: the best kind of paper to use is card stock that is about 110 lbs weight. You can get it at most any office supply store, Wal-Mart, or Michael's craft shop.
Second, Glue: You can use most any glue, but the most common (in the US.) is Aleen's tacky glue. You can pick that up at Wal-Mart, Michael's craft shop (or any other craft shop in your area).
I have found that the same general techniques used in plastic modeling will apply to paper modeling.
There are a TON of free sites out there where you can download models and print them out for free.
Here are a few to get you started:
http://paper-replika.com/
http://www.papercraftmuseum.com/
http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/
http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_scifi.html
Good luck with that.
If there is a particular model that you are looking for, please feel free to ask and we will do what we can to help you find it.
Ask and yee shall receive : http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/2007/12/halo-papercraft-d77-pelican-dropship.html
I hope that this will work for what you need.
I look forward to seeing your work.
Some people swear by Aleen's Tacky Glue, and there are those who swear by Elmer's Glue-All. With that being said, use what ever works better for you. It would not hurt to try them both for your own edification and see for yourself which you prefer.
The best way to do such is to make yourself a couple of scale cubes (one with Elmer's Glue-All, and the other with Aleen's Tacky Glue)
- Apr 5, 2013
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Use UHU Brand Glue, and ZIP DRY for harder to hold stuff. Glue guns get brittle after a while, and the models will come apart. These glues are Lignin free, which means they will not yellow with age. Zip Dry will glue small metal parts to paper!! It is also great for gluing plastic windshields to paper frames.
