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I want to make some backgound buildings for my layout . Using paper structures comes to mind since they are starting to look pretty realistic and they are inexpensive ......quality seems to have come a long way .
I've downloaded a few freebies to pdf files and printed them out on normal flimsy ( for modelling ) paper , but haven't built anything yet .
Has anyone else experimented with paper ? What thickness paper could I use in my Epson printer to provide more strength ?
There is also a recommendation to use CA glue which I'd rather avoid if possible ....does spray or stick glue work ?
Any other suggestions ?
Terry
To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.
I've played around with Paper Creek kits and building paper. (I note on a web search that the firm is no longer in business, but you may be able to scrounge some stuff up -- luckily, I have some stuff left.) Here's an enginehouse I built from their building paper, following a Milwaukee Road plan in RMC.
Under construction with foamcore backing and wooden bracing:
Completed, with roof. All surfaces are Paper Creek paper; windows and doors are Grandt Line.
The same rules apply for paper kits as apply with wood, but more so. You have to brace corners and edges carefully, but the results can be very good.
I use Elmer's glue pretty much exclusively for paper.
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A few members have completed kits (distinct from scratchbuilding in card). Here's one example:
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5025&p=88290&hilit=card+model#p88290">viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5025&p=88290&hilit=card+model#p88290</a><!-- l -->
Scratchbuilding examples:
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=4774&p=83273&hilit=card+model#p83270">viewtopic.php?f=53&t=4774&p=83273&hilit=card+model#p83270</a><!-- l -->
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=4773&p=83250&hilit=card+model#p83250">viewtopic.php?f=53&t=4773&p=83250&hilit=card+model#p83250</a><!-- l -->
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5354&hilit=card+stock+model">viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5354&hilit=card+stock+model</a><!-- l -->
Other helpful info:
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=4992&p=87621&hilit=card+model#p87621">viewtopic.php?f=44&t=4992&p=87621&hilit=card+model#p87621</a><!-- l -->
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=4972&p=87489&hilit=card+model#p87489">viewtopic.php?f=35&t=4972&p=87489&hilit=card+model#p87489</a><!-- l -->
Hope that helps.
Andrew
Two more scratch items and some kits. First is an ice house, Paper Creek paper on illustration board, heavily braced. Ladder is a Central Valley plastic.
Next an Illinois Central section shed from a plan in RMC, also on illustration board, heavily braced:
Finally some Paper Creek kits. These are on medium-weight card, mostly precut. I braced them with stripwood at the corners and edges. They've held up well for 10 years or so.
They're based on actual buildings in Randsburg, CA.
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Thanks for the suggestions and the links guys ....I tried doing a search here but I guess I didn't get the specific words to bring up those links . They will be quite helpful I think .
T
To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.
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I have tried it and I like the results. I think it is usable if not over done.
![[Image: 100_6322.jpg]](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/lesterperry/100_6322.jpg)
I feel it blends in with other buildings good but if all of these were paper I feel it would look like a paper town. I found a brick wall on internet and copied it. The pasted the HD add and J&J sign to it. I then used card stock from a gift box with spray adhesive. Doors were left over from kits. Stairs are Central Valley
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Wow , very realistic indeed , Les and jwb ....that's the look I want .
I wasn't impressed with Paper Creek a few years ago but won't criticize them because they were pretty much the first to have mrring structures and they probably suffered the learning curve . There are companies like Crystal River , Scalescenes , and Clever models that have nice downloads and Kingmill sells some great looking flats for about $6 each .
Atleast if I mess up on the freebies I have other resources .
Thanks again ,
T
To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.
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I build card kits -- I do it as a demo at shows.
You won't be able to print directly on card unless your printer feeds straight through. I have a heavier paper that still runs through my printer.
I plan to stick mine to Strathmore board when the weather changes. I'll be using a spray glue. Someone at the show said a Pritt Stick (glue like a deodorant stick).
Vary the card thickness depending on the function. The kits that I've downloaded have instructions on what weight.
David
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.
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I should pass this site along for making brick walls , many styles , colours and scales to choose from ....<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://paperbrick.co.uk/index.php?action=showpdf">http://paperbrick.co.uk/index.php?action=showpdf</a><!-- m --> . I just printed off several HO sheets and will mount and cut them to my needs . Great for other scales too .
T
To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.
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teejay Wrote:I want to make some backgound buildings for my layout . Using paper structures comes to mind since they are starting to look pretty realistic and they are inexpensive ......quality seems to have come a long way .What thickness paper could I use in my Epson printer to provide more strength ?
There is also a recommendation to use CA glue which I'd rather avoid if possible ....does spray or stick glue work ?
Any other suggestions ? Terry
Card stock for printing business cards, should feed through your printer. As for strength, you will need square stock at the corners, to re-inforce them, and I'd recommend the same square stock at the floor levels, with a plain sheet ( or printed with carpet if you wish ) for "floors", to help stabilize the structure. Carpenter's glue would work well, it is, after all, a "wood" product.
We always learn far more from our own mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's advice.
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
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I use yellow carpenter's glue. I used to use white glue but I think the yellow sets faster. Downside: when you make a mistake the yellow sets faster. Last weekend I had a few samples of Alene's glues that were supposed to set or grab fast. I guess they did.
I used an ACC for the windows (acetate(?) to card); I used to use Kristal Kleer.
I add an HO 12x12 to selected corners and any joins that are to the edge of the card.
David
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.
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More good ideas , thanks . For square stock , I'll use the various scraps we get at work while building the Ebbets Field project ...they're free . I'll stick to  Weldbond white glue because it dries clear .....my complaint about carpenters glue , in the past , was the yellow colouring after it dried . I'll use ACC if I absolutely have to but my luck with it in the past has been iffy ....seems to stick to everything but what I want , and I'm one of those guys who welds my fingers together for an hour or so 
I do have Aleenes Tacky Glue but never seem to use it much ...maybe I'll give it another look .
T
To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.
Until this subject came up, I'd forgotten about the Dover Publications line of cut-and-assemble HO scale paper buildings. A quick search brought up this listing on Amazon: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Scale-Models-assemble-Others/lm/RWOZEI5W7II0M">http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Sca ... ZEI5W7II0M</a><!-- m --> I have one of their books stashed away someplace. Based on the Amazon prices, they're quite reasonable. They don't have the depth and texture of more recent kits, but I've seen now and then that some guys have used them as basic forms to which they apply stripwood, cast windows, etc.
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It's amazing what can be done with paper. 
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Finally picked up some cardstock paper ....had to go into the city , nobody else carried it . I think it will do the trick but it seems to take an effort to go through the printer ....I'll have to mess around with the settings I guess ....and it sure goes through coloured ink !
Of the 3 or 4 downloads I've picked up I think Clever Models has the best quality and looks of structures ....IMO.
Terry
To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.
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