Does anyone have any good techniques for transferring drawings to sheet styrene? I’ve tried “carbon copying” by tracing over a drawing on which I’ve blackened the back with a pencil; gluing the drawings to the plastic with Elmer’s; and extending out from the drawing reference lines, cutting out the middle of the drawing, and reconstructing the drawing from the reference lines. I find the first method imprecise; the second method vulnerable to the glue popping off the styrene as soon as it flexes; and the third quite good for straight lines but extremely time-consuming.
What do those with scratchbuilding experience use? I’m re-building parts of an aircraft that aren’t accurate as kitted, but for which I’m too cheap to shell out for photoetched or resin parts.
I’ve used self adhesive transparent sheet with great success once. You print the part on the clear paper and then you put the sheet over the styrene sheet. With a sharp knife, you follow the contour precisely to mark the styrene a little bit. Then you peel off the adhesive sheet and you carefully follow the precutted lines using a styrene scribber. It’s not that fast but you can get precise results.
I have photocopied plans and have then used UHU water soluable glue stick (craft store item) to attach the paper to the plastic. Once the glue is dry use a sharp Xacto knife to cut the plastic along the photocopied lines. You can also file/sand the plastic back to the lines for intricate shapes. When done a quick soak in some water releases the paper - and a wipe on a paper towel removes any glue residue.
Good question… I stole mine at the office where I work.[:D] I think you might find that stuff at stapples or something like that.
I also have access to laser cutting machine so I’m in the process of drawing all the parts I will need to make the mine roller attachment on my T-34/85 and once that done, I will cut the pieces in a sheet of thin metal. I will use that metal sheet as a stencil using the tip of a compas to scrape the styrene. I think that is the easiest way but you need a CAD software and access to a laser cutting machine.
I’ve had good luck by gluing my drawing to the styrene with rubber cement purchased at Wally World or an office supply store. Simply apply a coat to each surface, let dry and stick together. After you cut the part out, simply peal off the paper and rub the cement off the styrene.