My tools are simple and few in number. I use a small (400 x 100mm) cutting mat, a 150mm steel rule, a scalpel (a No 3 Swann Morton for those who like detail) with a straight blade (10A). That sorts out all of my cutting needs. For folding I like to use an empty biro (Bic medium) but do find that a little hit and miss as the scored line is a little way from the rule so I have to allow a mill or so. Alternatively I have a knife (pictured) which is intentionally blunt and I can score nice and close to the rule with that as long as I'm careful.For glueing I've tried UHU which I kind of like but the stringiness is a bit of a pest so I've mostly been using PVA. I have some Mod Podge which is more expensive than most. I suspect cheaper PVA would work just as well. For large areas I spread it with my finger, for little tabs I use a cocktail stick. I find the back of the scalpel handle useful (if held very carefully) to just press down tabs inside of buildings once they are in position and not slipping about. It seems to just help to get a nice clean square edge. I do sometimes use the steel rule to press edges flat or to make sure things are square or in line. It's just a useful straight edge.The only other thing I use is a nice flat fairly solid base. I have a 400 x 500 piece of 20mm plywood with some formica on the top which I salvaged from a skip years ago. It makes a nice solid wipe-clean surface but I also sometimes just use an A4 sized hardback book.I'm interested to hear what others use.
My tools are simple and few in number. I use a small (400 x 100mm) cutting mat, a 150mm steel rule, a scalpel (a No 3 Swann Morton for those who like detail) with a straight blade (10A). That sorts out all of my cutting needs. For folding I like to use an empty biro (Bic medium) but do find that a little hit and miss as the scored line is a little way from the rule so I have to allow a mill or so. Alternatively I have a knife (pictured) which is intentionally blunt and I can score nice and close to the rule with that as long as I'm careful.For glueing I've tried UHU which I kind of like but the stringiness is a bit of a pest so I've mostly been using PVA. I have some Mod Podge which is more expensive than most. I suspect cheaper PVA would work just as well. For large areas I spread it with my finger, for little tabs I use a cocktail stick. I find the back of the scalpel handle useful (if held very carefully) to just press down tabs inside of buildings once they are in position and not slipping about. It seems to just help to get a nice clean square edge. I do sometimes use the steel rule to press edges flat or to make sure things are square or in line. It's just a useful straight edge.The only other thing I use is a nice flat fairly solid base. I have a 400 x 500 piece of 20mm plywood with some formica on the top which I salvaged from a skip years ago. It makes a nice solid wipe-clean surface but I also sometimes just use an A4 sized hardback book.I'm interested to hear what others use.
Well, I made a bit of a mistake with scissors recently.
I ordered two pairs online because I wanted to replace my old ones. The scissors I’ve been using are not very good for cutting tiny details anymore, so I thought I’d finally get something better.
Unfortunately, I didn’t pay enough attention to the tips when I ordered them. Just look at how blunt and rounded they are in the photo! For paper modelling they’re almost useless. When I’m trying to cut around a small detail, I simply can’t see exactly where the blades are cutting because that big blunt tip is always in the way.
So instead of upgrading my scissors, I now own two new pairs that are worse for this job than my old ones. :)
A small lesson learned: if you’re buying scissors for paper models, especially for small details, pay close attention to the shape of the tip. Don’t make the same mistake I did and buy ones like these!
Well, I made a bit of a mistake with scissors recently.
I ordered two pairs online because I wanted to replace my old ones. The scissors I’ve been using are not very good for cutting tiny details anymore, so I thought I’d finally get something better.
Unfortunately, I didn’t pay enough attention to the tips when I ordered them. Just look at how blunt and rounded they are in the photo! For paper modelling they’re almost useless. When I’m trying to cut around a small detail, I simply can’t see exactly where the blades are cutting because that big blunt tip is always in the way.
So instead of upgrading my scissors, I now own two new pairs that are worse for this job than my old ones. :)
A small lesson learned: if you’re buying scissors for paper models, especially for small details, pay close attention to the shape of the tip. Don’t make the same mistake I did and buy ones like these!
