Sheet styrene

[Owen E Oulton]

Only really thin stock(5, 10, 15 thou) will be able to be rolled i think(I could be wrong on this), and it would curve the sheet to do so.

You can roll sheets as thick as .080" - the thicker the sheet the larger the diametre of the roll, of course, but as thick as .040" should only be about 8" in diametre. Unless you roll them really tight, they're not going to take a curve in the time it takes to get home. Even overnight won't set a curl too badly, but don't leave it longer than that. As far as transporting them goes, I've carried rolled sheets of styrene on the bus many times with no problem. Plan to do this on a weekend or other off-peak times. Your fellow commuters definitely will not appreciate it during rush hour.

[Arklan]

very very good to know. thanks. you guys are saving me a bundle.

[ssorrell]

Somewhat related, I was toying with the idea of sculpting some laminated styrene, as Alex Dumas mentioned he created his Mk II Viper.

My questions would be, what is the best way to laminate the sheets, and what sort of tools could be used to scult the shape. Are there tools similar to clay sculpting tools that can be used?

Thanks!

Scott

[Bar]

Usually you start with the bottom layer. Get that shape right, and glue it to another piece. Once the glue has set, you cut or sand the next layer until it is the correct shape, and so on. a better way can be working out exactly what shape each layer will be beforehand, and simply putting them together like a 3d puzzle(This doesn't work with all subjects).
I made this with lamination(And these). You have to sand the styrene, though, you can't really sculpt it...
Bar

[ssorrell]

And then fill the seams with putty? I suppose you would have to make sure the laminated sheets are bigger than the intended design, in order to sand them down into shape. Is there any special type of putty to use if I plan on resin casting the part down the road? I've been using the green Squadron putty....

Scott

[Bar]

And then fill the seams with putty? I suppose you would have to make sure the laminated sheets are bigger than the intended design, in order to sand them down into shape. Is there any special type of putty to use if I plan on resin casting the part down the road? I've been using the green Squadron putty....

Scott

That will work. I have heard great things about aves(And i have 4 pounds on the way, so i will report back when i have it).
Any filler you would normally use with styrene will be fine. You are correct about making it slightly larger and sanding back.
All modelling techniques still apply.
Bar.

[ssorrell]

Thanks for the info!

All this talk reminds me -- last summer we had a rail car leaking styrene nearby and when I came to work, it honestly smelled to me like a model kit

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/4 ... etail.html

[Lt. Z0mBe]

And then fill the seams with putty? I suppose you would have to make sure the laminated sheets are bigger than the intended design, in order to sand them down into shape. Is there any special type of putty to use if I plan on resin casting the part down the road? I've been using the green Squadron putty....

Scott

If you're going to cast, do NOT use a lacquer-based putty like Squadron or Bondo. The mold release will act on the putty and make it brittle.

"Know ye this day Aves. Cast your sculpts and masters upon Aves, for Aves shall never crumble under the weight of the mightiest mold."

~ Castings 6:15



Kenny

[MillenniumFalsehood]

And remember the cardinal rule: Measure twice, cut once

. . .and not Tim's rule , which is "Never measure, cut yourself."