Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey everyone,

I'm currently trying to build a plasticard Land Raider, I've got a couple of the Paperhammer templates, but I'm having a bit of trouble with it. I've got some 3mm foamboard, and .40" plasticard to work with, would it be easier to use just the plasticard? Using the foamboard, some of the folds are pretty difficult to make, so I'm thinking I need to start over.

Has anyone built a LR using the templates from that site, and how successful have you been?

Cheers,
Marushi

Which site?

its best to use plasticard.
personally i think you should make it with something cheap and easy to use first, to make a draft. it will help alot.

to add details and things like that its better to use foamboard, and you probably also need to use greenstuff.

if you have never made anything from those sorts of materials its best to practise first, making a vehicle from scratch is very hard. so its best to do some small things first

Foamcore doesn't like to bend. I wouldn't recommend trying to make ANY folds with it. I'd use the foamcore to block out the main structure, then do all of the detailing in plasticard. If the template calls for a fold, make the piece in two sections and glue the joint (trimming one side of the joint by 3mm - the thickness of the material - to account for the butt joint and keep proportions) Rough edges can be covered by GS, plasticard, etc. if the foam shreds, which it tends to do (especially with less than razor sharp knife blades).

Thanks for the input guys.

Closest I've come to modelling something like this was during my Architecture degree, but a simple model building or two. Hardest part of them was a couple of floating staircases.

Before posting I'd started building up a track assembly in foamcore, it looked alright, but scoring and folding it didn't work so good, so I thought I'd ask some of you guys. I've taken the draft copy idea on board, and have so far built up the same track assembly using a cereal box and its taken about half the time. It's rough as hell and got blotches of PVA all over it, but it's coming along. Another bonus of doing a draft is of course working out how it all fits together too, no instructions make things a bit difficult

The site I got em from btw poipo32, was Golden Bolter Society

Generally you don't fold foam core or plasticard. Make cuts and glue. If you need an angle to hold while glue sets, use a little blob of modelling putty or blu-tac.

If you're set on foamcore, use it only for the main body, even then you should cover it with plastic for a more uniform appearance.

Cool I recently did a Chimera from them unfortunately I just kept with Cardstock just folding it normally so I can't help you.....

I don't think putting a LR together from plasticard will be any problem if you have some plans to cut out the different sections from.

Just skip the folding (cut off the little slips) and stick to gluing. Milliput or similar can be used on the inside in tricky spots.

I made this one about 10 years ago, before the current landraider model was available in shops, based concept art and plans someone had come up with.

The dimensions are slightly off and the lascannons are oversized (bigger is better right? =)

One of the locals in GW here in Chester is making a few titans based off plans he found on the net. He built the first one out of paper just to see how it went together;this took him a week. He's currently making one out of card and is about 50% done after 3 days or so.

He says the card is a little flimsy, so hes reinforced it in places with a layer of plasticard which seems to be doing the trick.

I mean damn. A Titan; and so far it's cost him about £5

I think this is the final word on scratch building a titan

That's an awesome LR stoiss, can only hope mine turns out just as well!

Another quick question, when gluing, plasticard works with poly cement, does foam board? Or would it melt the foam?

I suggest using a model 2 part epoxy. Plastic glue and super glue melt the foam I believe.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I totally dig your land raider Stoiss, I've been thinking of plastic carding some of the old land raiders.

I scratchbuilt a land raider back in the mid-late 90s (before the current kit was released, but long after the previous one was withdrawn) using pictures I'd seen around the traps.

Plasticard all the way (except for weapon sponsons - which were donated by a predator (metal sponsons). 1mm and 1.5mm mostly, with cross-bracing for support and a little bit of squadron green putty for filling gaps. It turned out about 5mm shorter than the 'new' kit when it was released, but about that 5mm higher.

@Stoiss: Impressive raider, there. Way more detail than I went to (didn't do rivets on mine - the local forge world hasn't forgotten the STC for welds).

J.Black wrote:One of the locals in GW here in Chester is making a few titans based off plans he found on the net. He built the first one out of paper just to see how it went together;this took him a week. He's currently making one out of card and is about 50% done after 3 days or so.

He says the card is a little flimsy, so hes reinforced it in places with a layer of plasticard which seems to be doing the trick.

I mean damn. A Titan; and so far it's cost him about £5

Next time i visit GW Chester im going to have a look for these, they always have a cool display cabinet on show

I've scratchbuilt a Baneblade over here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/267049.page; I blocked it out with 5mm foamcore (superglue fine, btw, it does indeed melt the core but that, in my experience, makes the bond stronger) and various grades of plasticard: the principle is the same. Actually, desparately need to update it with current pics [/nts]... Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes