Topic: Help to make a plastic superstructure?? (Read 3761 times)

loinerlad · « **on:** June 21, 2011, 05:13:45 pm »

Hi guys,
Has anybody made there own superstructure using plastic? I am wanting to design my own structure for one of my models and I am wanting to use a sturdy plastic for this but i don't know where to start

i.e which plastics are re-mouldable using a heat gun? and one that will hold its shape once cooled? I am a welder and only work in steel so plastic is not my specialist material.
I know someone out there will be able to point me in the right direction

wartsilaone · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2011, 05:22:27 pm »

Styrene sheet that you get from the model shop can be bent and curved when pit over a kettle and one cooled it will stay like that. But of course you will need plenty of internal support.

Ali.

loinerlad · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2011, 06:03:18 pm »

Thanks for your reply Ali, I know the stuff you mean, I have used that material for a model car once but it is a bit too thin for what I wanting to create with this model. I was hoping to not have to put many supports in it to keep it sturdy, I would like the plastic to be rigid enough on its own.

Chris

DickyD · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2011, 06:31:07 pm »

It does come in different thicknesses you know.

https://slatersplastikard.com/plastikard.php

colin · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2011, 06:41:39 pm »

I have purchased from this site and prices were good and no delivery charge
http://www.mindsetsonline.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=514
Regards
Colin

philk · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2011, 07:41:11 pm »

the superstructure in this is all plastic card styrene sheet

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27895.50

malcolmfrary · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2011, 11:41:32 am »

If its moulded with compound curves, its going to be rigid. Its actual strength will be proportional to its thickness, while being affected by the actual shape, and of course, the weight will be proportional to the thickness.

loinerlad · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2011, 07:49:31 pm »

Im going to give the styrene sheets a go with a 2mm thickness, hopefully that will be sturdy enough to only have a few supports underneath. Ive noticed it is cheap enough to buy so if i make a complete mess of it then it wont matter too much and it will be back to the drawing board

wartsilaone · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2011, 09:19:18 pm »

Don't forget that you can add more layers to increase the thickness and strength. If you are making curves use a very thin sheet to start with to get the shape then add more get the rigidity.

Ali.

Norseman · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2011, 03:57:38 pm »

Thankyou Wartsilaone

You've just solved a problem for me - so simple and I never considered layering on curves at all - I keep thinking I'm clever even though all the evidence is stacked against me!!!

Regards Norseman

Philipsparker · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2011, 07:27:40 pm »

Be careful when laminating plastic. If you use a solvent, some can get trapped between the layers and eventually eat it's way out. I've heard good things about Limonene polystyrene solvent available from http://www.wizardmodels.co.uk but not used it. It's less viscious than most though and designed for laminating plastic.

Phil

http://www.philsworkbench.co.uk

Sub driver · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2011, 08:20:23 pm »

If I may.
Rather than using layers, as this will always try and straighten out the curve whilst curing make the curved part from a single sheet thickness say 2 mm whilst pre bending and warming the sheet this will then stay in shape whil;st you are building when cool and then support it with curved bracing as real metal would be done such as aluminium superstructures are...

See the LCAC in Warships / Military all that superstructure is made from sheet styrene all pre bent to the correct shape and then reinforced with formers cut to the shape of the curve. as mentioned earlier the curved structure is very solid when correctly built up.

regards
Sub.

wartsilaone · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:56:30 pm »

Just a couple of pics to show the curves on my funnel.

Good old EMA Plastic Weld is best and will hold the layers together as long as you don't have gaps in the glueing.

Sub driver · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2011, 09:01:14 am »

a good example of what i meant !

Paul S · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:57:04 am »

The 4D Model Shop in London's a good resource for all things modelling. Do ABS, Styrene, PET, acrylic etc. All plastics can be heat formed, at different temparatures maybee, but the principles the same. Sign makers can also be a useful source, there scrapbox would build the average model.

http://www.modelshop.co.uk/category/Raw_Materials/Plastics,l.html?sortBy=FeaturedDesc

Cheers

Paul

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Author Topic: Help to make a plastic superstructure?? (Read 3761 times)

loinerlad

Help to make a plastic superstructure??

wartsilaone

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

loinerlad

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

DickyD

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

colin

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

philk

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malcolmfrary

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

loinerlad

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wartsilaone

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

Norseman

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

Philipsparker

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

Sub driver

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

wartsilaone

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

Sub driver

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??

Paul S

Re: Help to make a plastic superstructure??