Need advice on first build

[Rickw96]

Hello all,
I've just joined and am new to paper modeling. This will be my first build. I would like to try something in the medium skill range. I'm thinking some kind of space craft (Star Trek or Star Wars).
What suggestions do you have???
Thanks in advance!
Rick

 

[spaceagent-9]

I would suggest some of the smaller federation ships by rawen, or the shuttle craft at ecard models and is free.....
talk to d-whale about star trek models
I don't know all the names here yet, but there are a lot of members that can help you on this.

 

[Rickw96]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will check it out. I think I'm ready to start. I have glue, cutting mat, card stock paper and blades.
What do you think will be my first mistake?

 

[spaceagent-9]

rolling tubes. use a big screw driver and work it for a whole day,[ not 24 hours] and make sure you roll out all the creases. then joining the seams, inch it along instead of gluing like a plastic model and glue the whole seam and press it.
use light stick tape, to hold the piece while the glue is drying, and use heavy cardstock.
mush the parts that are domes and buldges before gluing, so its formed already when you glue it. fine a colored pencil to match the model colors for seams that will have the paper color shining bright for all to see.
use cardboard internal structures too, and ask people what to do about the model you choose.
that's about all I got for now.
good luck!

 

[Rickw96]

LOL that is great!!! Perfect advice on the tape and rolling tubes.
Have you ever tried to paint the inside (where you can) with resin to strengthen the paper? Would it just bleed through?
I already did one, cut myself.

 

[zathros]

Fit all parts by hand first, before gluing. Try not to use tabs. Cut them off and replace them with strips on the backside. Use strips on the backside as you need them. Make sure they do not fit in the future assembly. Use UHU or ZIP Dry glue. Stay away from Elmers as it stinks. It will water down your part while not sticking. UHU glues and ZIP DRY can be found at Micheal's Craft Stores, or at Amazon.
Great free selection here:

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/%7Esf-papercraft/

Use sharp scissors as well as x-actor blades. Work slow and steady. Find a model you really want to build. If you mess it up, print out another sheet and replace what you messed up. Most of all, have fun!

 

[Rickw96]

Thanks Zathros for the info. One question, please explain in a little more detail about not using the tabs. Do I just butt the two pieces together and then add the backing strip? Sorry I'm slow sometimes....well most of the time
Ohh and thanks for the free site!

 

[silveroxide]

When you choose or if you have chosen already, Browse the site to see if someone has built this model already and if you are lucky, maybe a build thread. If you run into any problems, take a photo of the offending part and if you are lucky again, the designer or someone else who has built the model, can give you tips on how to avoid pitfalls. By the way, what have you chosen. Hope to see your works soon.

 

[Cforrest900]

You can watch ninja toes' video about butt joining
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xZn4AjwEAzU&desktop_uri=/watch?v=xZn4AjwEAzU

 

[Rogerio Silva]

Question? What question?

Rickw96

Going back to the "what will be my first mistake" question, I think your first mistake is to worry too much about it. Another possible first mistake is (and I've been there) to demand too much of yourself. wall1
A great friend :thumb: here once told me that this hobby is supposed to be fun... otherwise, it wouldn't be a hobby, but probably a job! :cry: Your first mistake could be not to have fun, or to put irrealistic goals for yourself.
KNOW this: WE ALL want you to succeed. :mrgreen: :thumb: And WE ALL had a beginning, made mistakes, and probably will make others in the future. Nobody's perfect (well, maybe UHU02 is... sign1), so don't try to achieve the impossible. :mrgreen:
This place is special because WE (that includes YOU) make it so. GO FOR IT AND HAVE FUN!!! But please, post pictures and show your progress. :thumb:

Rogério

 

[Rickw96]

Thanks for all the advice, you guys are fantastic especially to the new guy!!!
The video helped, I mow understand about the butt joint.
Yep I agree don't over think it and have fun.

 

[spaceagent-9]

I wouldn't paint it, it will warp the paper,
you can print the back black ink
or you can put a interior sheet of black paper inside.
one solution seems to always lead to another problem.
aluminum foil works as a light block too.

 

[zathros]

Some models have tabs. They are a pain. I advise cutting the tab and replacing it with an inside tab that is on the same inside plane of the two pieces going together. The pictures below should explain the different ways you can use them. Using a strip to attach another sheet creates gaps, as visible in the example of the two flat sheets joined together. The rest are self explanatory.

 

[Rickw96]

spaceagent-9 I was thinking of using epoxy resin to strengthen the paper but I think you are right that trying to solve one problem would lead to another.
Zathros thanks for the pictures that helps.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Welcome to the forum.

You mentioned that you are looking for Star Trek or Star Wars models. Here is a list of websites that have either one or both types of models.

http://aliens.humlak.cz/aliens/aliens_papirove_modely_gb.htm

http://www.geocities.jp/ikenohata2005/index-e.html

http://cleverpapermodel.com/

http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_scifi.html

http://ninjatoes.wordpress.com/

http://www.paperaviation.de/index.html

http://www.paperhollywood.com/

http://www.papercraftmuseum.com/

http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/

http://paper-replika.com/

http://starwars.pl/stuff_tf_modele_slawek.php

You should be able to find something to start off with in one of these sites.

If there is anything specific that you are looking for, please let us know and we will do what we can to help you (or at least point you in the right direction).

Once again, welcome aboard. I hope you enjoy yourself here.

I look forward to seeing your work.

 

[Rickw96]

WOW thanks so much. What a list!
I guess its time to get started.

 

[Rickw96]

So I picked the BSG raptor as my first model. I do have a few questions:
1. is there an easy way to tell where to score for the folds?
2. if possible should I score from the backside of the model, the unprinted side?
Thanks

 

[zathros]

Yes, score from the backside, and search the build threads for this model. You will be pleasantly surprised and find a treasure trove of information.

 

[Rickw96]

OK and thanks!

 

[Rickw96]

So what have I learned:
1. get a flexible armed magnifying glass. This really helps with making cuts.
2. tooth pick work great for applying/spreading glue.
3. fine tweezers and clamping ones help a lot.
4. lots of light
I will need to invest in colored pens/pencils to hide all the mistakes.