Building Tips
If you are unfamiliar with Micromodels I suggest you start with a simple model. These building tips will help you getting started.
Recommended Tools
· Scalpel or sharp pointed knife
· Pointed but blunt instrument eg blunt knife blade
· Tweezers, cross tweezers for handling small parts
· Steel ruler
· Self healing cutting mat
· Sharp scissors with pointed tips.
· Cocktail sticks for applying small amounts of glue
· Variety of rods or tubes for rolling cylinders
· Glue
· Paints, colored pencils or watercolor marker
Paper
Building a model using an original Micromodel is not recommended.
At first Micromodels are collectors items and can be very expensive.
And the quality of modern paper is much better.
It is better to make a copy of the Micromodel.
We use 160 “grams” paper ( paper that weighs 160 grams a square meter ).
This is twice the thickness of standard printing paper.
Scoring and Folding
Score any fold lines before cutting out a part.
Use the scalpel or a blunt pointed instrument and the steel ruler to score fold lines.
Sometimes you have to score on the back of the card.
In order to do this accurately it may help to prick through the card with a pin to leave a mark on the reverse side.
Cutting
Cut out parts on a self-healing cutting mat (available from hobby or craft shops), or cardboard.
Do not cut out any parts until they are required. Cut out any openings in a part after scoring, but before cutting out the part.
Use a sharp knife or a scalpel and the steel ruler for straight cuts. Small sharp scissors or a sharp pointed scalpel can be used for curved parts..
Test fit all parts and ensure a good fit before glueing them in place.
Coloring
The appearance of a model can be greatly enhanced by coloring the white cut edges the same color as the printing on the card.
Watercolor paints, colored pencils or watercolor pencils can be used.
It only seems to be important to get the tone right, a precise color match is not so important.
Curving
Where card needs to be curved roll a rod or dowel over the card whilst on a cushioned surface, gradually increasing the curvature.
Glueing
Three main types of glue can be used:
· Petroleum based glues – UHU All purpose/Alleskleber or the standard All purpose glue available in your local hobby or craft shop. These generally dry clear and can be used for all parts.
Take care to use as little glue as possible to avoid excess on the surface.
Apply them indirectly on small parts using a cocktail stick or similar to reduce excess glue.
· PVA (Poly Vinyl Acrylate) based glue – also called White glue, wood glue, school glue.
Very good for gluing small parts, it dries nearly unvisible and it can easily be placed with a toothpick. Do not over-apply these glues or they will buckle card.
· Cyano-acrylate glues – supergue, CA glue, instant glue – available in differing setting times and consistencies, relatively expensive.
The thin/fast glues are good for stiffening thin parts like flagpoles as they soak in and leave the part almost plastic-like.