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Old 30 March 2006, 04:47 AM   #973 (permalink)
JohnReid
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,910
 
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Here is a modeler friends " secrets of scratchbuilding":

OK, here is the secret to all scratch building. (This might seem stupidly simple)

1. Get over your fear, and don't ever think that you can't do it.
2. Get a picture of what you want to build.
3. Figure out all of the 1:1 dimensions of the object. You can measure the real thing or search the internet for dimensions.
4. Break down the object in your mind into all of the parts that make up the object. Draw these seperate pieces on a piece of paper (how ever badly you draw) so you will remember them. I can' t draw worth beans.....
4. Divide all dimensions by 25 (for 1/25th scale) or 24 (for 1/24th scale) or whatever scale you want..... Write down all of your new, in scale, dimensions.
5. Get a digital caliper and start measuring pieces of plastic to get the right sizes for your project.
6. Then start making pieces that look like the different pieces of the object and keep measuring them with the calipers to make sure they are the right size. You know, if your making a statue of David, you cut away everything that does not look like the statue of David.
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