Modeling foam, industrial designers / model makers. Advice.
Discussion
Hello. For some fun I'm thinking of scratch building a freestanding model (sci-fi spaceship) from some designs I have, one of the reasons I decided to make a space ship is so I can just learn by creating nice interesting shapes. Has anyone on here had any experience with modeling foam, if you have I'd be grateful if you could share your views or offer me some tips on using this stuff as it seems quite expensive.
I've never used it before but after a few moments looking on the web I can see that some really great results can be achieved (presumably after many years of practice). Before starting in this media (I'm used to working with wood mainly) my questions are; how do you go about painting these models, I believe certain paints may risk dissolving the foam. Secondly, can car body filler or fiberglass be used to build up areas or create seamless joins between sections, can a very smooth result be gained by sanding the foam after cutting? What sort of tools will do the job most effectively, I dont have a hot wire cutter (I could make one I guess), would hand tools leave a scraggy edge? Lastly any tips for creating accurate symmetry in the modeling process?
Any advice would be superb! I'd love to see some of your work, regardless of what it is. I'm really starting to get interested in scratch building and would like to have a go.
Many thanks.
I've never used it before but after a few moments looking on the web I can see that some really great results can be achieved (presumably after many years of practice). Before starting in this media (I'm used to working with wood mainly) my questions are; how do you go about painting these models, I believe certain paints may risk dissolving the foam. Secondly, can car body filler or fiberglass be used to build up areas or create seamless joins between sections, can a very smooth result be gained by sanding the foam after cutting? What sort of tools will do the job most effectively, I dont have a hot wire cutter (I could make one I guess), would hand tools leave a scraggy edge? Lastly any tips for creating accurate symmetry in the modeling process?
Any advice would be superb! I'd love to see some of your work, regardless of what it is. I'm really starting to get interested in scratch building and would like to have a go.
Many thanks.
What sort of foam are you talking about?
The blue blocks so you carve away at it, or epp or depron?
Depron is available in 2,3 and 6mm usually.
It's what i generally use to make rc planes.
It's easy to cut, sand and paint (now I have discovered the right type!)
Filler can be used on it too. Glue types include a standard hot glue gun- although it will damage the foam if too hot) but the type I generally use is uhu por.
Drop me a mail if you want a good supplier- I'm just outside of Milton Keynes and know a good source of either type.
Plans are also available for the space shuttle, or even a starship enterprise, both of which can be rc models so you can fly 'em around when they are made.
I'm currently trying to build a thunderbird 2 as a flying model for my boy, so if you fancy a challenge as a starter?????
The blue blocks so you carve away at it, or epp or depron?
Depron is available in 2,3 and 6mm usually.
It's what i generally use to make rc planes.
It's easy to cut, sand and paint (now I have discovered the right type!)
Filler can be used on it too. Glue types include a standard hot glue gun- although it will damage the foam if too hot) but the type I generally use is uhu por.
Drop me a mail if you want a good supplier- I'm just outside of Milton Keynes and know a good source of either type.
Plans are also available for the space shuttle, or even a starship enterprise, both of which can be rc models so you can fly 'em around when they are made.
I'm currently trying to build a thunderbird 2 as a flying model for my boy, so if you fancy a challenge as a starter?????
I use it all the time to create car concepts at uni. Creating the basic shape out of blue modelling foam is pretty easy, all you need is a craft knife, a junior hack saw, a few files and lots of different grades of sandpaper. Getting sharp straight lines can be tricky, but if you can get hold of some designers line tape, that can work a treat. You put the tape where you want the line and use a coarse sandpaper (60-120) to get rid of the material very quickly, the tape is sturdy enough to resist the sandpaper, but not files. You can also use this tape of varying thicknesses to create symmetry in your models. When you place the tape on the models you can see a lot easier where the pits and rises are within the surface. To stick bits together you cant really beat double sided tape, it works really well.
You will never get a decent surface finish unless you prepare the surface properly. Use a normal, cheap, water based white emulsion and give your model a good going over (a few times to make sure it is sealed). Once this is done get some car body filler (the 2 part stuff. it's usually beige with a pink additive) and mix it so it is a very pale pink colour, about 1:40. Apply it with a bit of plasticard so it is as smooth as possible and not too thick. Then you need to sand this down. The best results take a very long time to accomplish and you will need to re apply more body filler. Keep doing this until you are down to using about 1200grit sandpaper and the surface is like glass. You get a better idea of surface quality when you keep applying thin layers of white emulsion as you go along. The rough bodywork in the foam should be done in a day if you know what you want and have dimensions and drawings. the paint surface can take up to 2 weeks of 5 to 6 hours a day.
You are now ready to paint it. If you are using spray paint build it up in thin mists until you are happy with the colour intensity. Then give it 3 or 4 coats of spray clear lacquer and use a decent car polish on it, brings it up real nice. I prefer using paint brushes. The trick about hand painting is getting a decent paint brush and taking your time. Be expecting to pay up to £4 per paintbrush for a decent one.
You will never get a decent surface finish unless you prepare the surface properly. Use a normal, cheap, water based white emulsion and give your model a good going over (a few times to make sure it is sealed). Once this is done get some car body filler (the 2 part stuff. it's usually beige with a pink additive) and mix it so it is a very pale pink colour, about 1:40. Apply it with a bit of plasticard so it is as smooth as possible and not too thick. Then you need to sand this down. The best results take a very long time to accomplish and you will need to re apply more body filler. Keep doing this until you are down to using about 1200grit sandpaper and the surface is like glass. You get a better idea of surface quality when you keep applying thin layers of white emulsion as you go along. The rough bodywork in the foam should be done in a day if you know what you want and have dimensions and drawings. the paint surface can take up to 2 weeks of 5 to 6 hours a day.
You are now ready to paint it. If you are using spray paint build it up in thin mists until you are happy with the colour intensity. Then give it 3 or 4 coats of spray clear lacquer and use a decent car polish on it, brings it up real nice. I prefer using paint brushes. The trick about hand painting is getting a decent paint brush and taking your time. Be expecting to pay up to £4 per paintbrush for a decent one.
Emsman said:
Plans are also available for the starship enterprise.
I'm currently trying to build a thunderbird 2 as a flying model
wow! thats really cool and really sad at the same time. If only i had the money to buy all of the radio equipment i'd be building one in a flash.I'm currently trying to build a thunderbird 2 as a flying model
I wish you never let me know now....
Exactly the type of reply I was hoping for, thanks very much guys. I have some more ideas about which type of products to look for which helps loads when looking for supplies in an internet search, feel free to PM the details of suppliers across. I want to build something a bit Japanese looking, along the lines of those old shoot em up games, I doubt I'd be good enough to get something in the air for some time - unless I chuck it out of frustration when it goes pear shaped.
I'd love to see some pictures of any of your foam models if you have some handy, work in progress ones would be good to show technique in how they build up.
I'd quite like to move on to cars eventually as there are so many that are only available as 1:43 and it'd be nice to have a large model to display - I guess making a replica of something like a car or thunderbird 2 would be difficult because the proportions / measurements have to be bang on, as everyone knows what it's supposed to look like, whereas if I invent something I can say 'it's supposed to look like that' - as it sits there lopsided
Which is another thing - do you make an actual size drawing from all sides and transfer it to the foam to help model in scale / symmetry?
Thanks again!
I'd love to see some pictures of any of your foam models if you have some handy, work in progress ones would be good to show technique in how they build up.
I'd quite like to move on to cars eventually as there are so many that are only available as 1:43 and it'd be nice to have a large model to display - I guess making a replica of something like a car or thunderbird 2 would be difficult because the proportions / measurements have to be bang on, as everyone knows what it's supposed to look like, whereas if I invent something I can say 'it's supposed to look like that' - as it sits there lopsided
Which is another thing - do you make an actual size drawing from all sides and transfer it to the foam to help model in scale / symmetry? Thanks again!
slomax said:
Emsman said:
Plans are also available for the starship enterprise.
I'm currently trying to build a thunderbird 2 as a flying model
wow! thats really cool and really sad at the same time. If only i had the money to buy all of the radio equipment i'd be building one in a flash.I'm currently trying to build a thunderbird 2 as a flying model
I wish you never let me know now....
I've got loads laying around in the shed.
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