Traditional Questions, with a 40k Spin

Banyon

New Member
Well, I'm going to step out and be a total neophyte here...

BLUF (Bottom line up front):
What type of paper should I be using?!

Traditional office / copier paper seems MUCH too thin. I stopped by an art supply store and got some card stock, but that seems too thick (The foam board is CERTAINLY too thick... That’s for another project I have in mind)

I've heard people mention different weights of paper.. where can I go an look for these different weights? Michaels, AC Moore, Staples?!

Also, which (in your collective experience) is the best weight of paper for building 40k tanks? Something easy enough to work with, but sturdy enough for the game table. I'd think (but I might be totally wrong) that our needs and requirements as gamers might indicate the need for a tougher or more durable paper than the traditional modelers creating a display piece.

Thoughts? Opinions? Criticisms? All are welcome. Again, thanks in advance.
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
I would go to either your local office supply store, to craft store to see what they have and talk to them about what you need.
I know that here in Europe, most people use cardstock that weighs between 160gm to 180 gm. for most models. I do not know what the conversion is in the US.

Either way, good luck and I look forward to seeing some of your work soon.
 

aleks

Member
I usually use 200 g/m2 cardstock, which is 110 Lb cardstock.
On my first attempts, I print out the model on regular office paper (80 g/m2) and glued on 0,5 mm tick cardboard...
two problems with this method:
1)the scored fold are too big and too visible, even if you edge it.
2)tiny details are too tick to work with, you can't bend or fold without break them.

so it' is better to print models on 160 - 200 g/m2 cardstock or foamboard and use 0,5 mm cardstock to reinforce the main parts of the models
look at this thread

hope my english is good enough...
 

silveroxide

Senior Member
I tend to buck the rules and build mine the same way I used to build my scratch builds out of styrene. I use heavy gauge paper almost like velum board. It is the same material that companies use to make their jewelry boxes. I tend to laminate heavily and my models will withstand the rigors of table top gaming. For smaller details and guns, I drop down to 60 or 110 weight paper. Check out my build threads, Warhammer armor and things. http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168441
 

jherazob

New Member
Here's a question that should be in a FAQ:

Can you paint these models without destroying them in the process? How? Can i use the standard model paints?
 

silveroxide

Senior Member
Here's a question that should be in a FAQ:

Can you paint these models without destroying them in the process? How? Can i use the standard model paints?


The answer is yes. I tend to use a grey primer for grey wolfs or a red primer if I am going to do blood ravens. I then continue to paint it like a regular games workshop model. The primer will warp the lighter weight cardstock but will work great on the heavier velum stock. Keep in mind, that painting a paper model will hide line details, so it is best to build the model and then paint over the raised details. My 40k landing craft and escort boats show what can be done with paints over paper. Practice and enjoy. See you around the forums. Here is a painted Thunderbolt as an example. http://www.zealot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=83697&d=1243186103:wave:
 

Pigsnout23

New Member
The answer is yes. I tend to use a grey primer for grey wolfs or a red primer if I am going to do blood ravens. I then continue to paint it like a regular games workshop model. The primer will warp the lighter weight cardstock but will work great on the heavier velum stock. Keep in mind, that painting a paper model will hide line details, so it is best to build the model and then paint over the raised details. My 40k landing craft and escort boats show what can be done with paints over paper. Practice and enjoy. See you around the forums. Here is a painted Thunderbolt as an example. http://www.zealot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=83697&d=1243186103:wave:


That was a helpful answer... Thanks!
 
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