Model/Craft tips/advice

[Butters]

I’ve been all over the internet with this problem. I’ve mastered the art of the craft knife and glue gun, I’ve amassed enough recycled material and research notes for my next project, but there’s still one part that I’ve no idea how to tackle.

Curved glass windscreens. I’m building a model of a bus. Flat windows I’m using clear plastic packaging. Curved windscreen, no idea.

Trouble is, because most of my materials are recycled packaging, I don’t really know the names for plastics I’m using. I’m thinking about experimenting with clear cast resin, but that would be a lot of trial and error too.

Any ideas, or good resources online for an amateur such as myself?

 

[Gary Mitchell]

I'm not sure if this will help: https://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/13-modeling-forum/402324-create-clear-plastic-parts-model-cars.html
Post #7 says

The best thing to try IF you can find some very thick clear styrene would be to cut them to shape then sand the curve into them in all directions. Of course they will be all foggy and scratchy from the sanding, but you can polish them clear again and dip in a bit of Pledge/Future and they will be as good as new.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

Also this: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/40824-no-windshield-no-problem-drink-up/

 

[Nakita Akita]

I’ve been all over the internet with this problem. I’ve mastered the art of the craft knife and glue gun, I’ve amassed enough recycled material and research notes for my next project, but there’s still one part that I’ve no idea how to tackle.

Curved glass windscreens. I’m building a model of a bus. Flat windows I’m using clear plastic packaging. Curved windscreen, no idea.

Trouble is, because most of my materials are recycled packaging, I don’t really know the names for plastics I’m using. I’m thinking about experimenting with clear cast resin, but that would be a lot of trial and error too.

Any ideas, or good resources online for an amateur such as myself?

What about large soda pop plastic bottles?
Or large clear plastic food/To go containers?
These items area generally somewhat flexible, it depends on what you are affixing them to and what you are affixing them with.
I use a lot of acrylic polymers made by "Golden", or "Liquitex" ( there are other brands) some of them dry clear.
I'm not sure how big your windows are going to be.
I'm an artist I do a lot of mixed media items.

 

[Butters]

Liking the idea of those drinks bottles. Hadn’t thought of that. I’m not sure I’ll get the exact shape because it’s a bit of a wrap around.

First attempt may come out a bit cartoony, but that’s ok, definitely worth a try.

Size wise, it’s 1:12 scale, so guessing 15-20cm wide.

 

[Nakita Akita]

Liking the idea of those drinks bottles. Hadn’t thought of that. I’m not sure I’ll get the exact shape because it’s a bit of a wrap around.

First attempt may come out a bit cartoony, but that’s ok, definitely worth a try.

Size wise, it’s 1:12 scale, so guessing 15-20cm wide.

Well, like look around in a big supermarket.
Maybe a juice container?
Maybe cut it so that you need to flatten it a bit, so as to have if not look like a bubble?
Sounds like fun.

 

[Butters]

Well, like look around in a big supermarket.
Maybe a juice container?
Maybe cut it so that you need to flatten it a bit, so as to have if not look like a bubble?
Sounds like fun.

Thinking about it, the plastic trays that the little tomatoes come in would probably do the trick.

I’ve been saving flat plastics for the windows, completely overlooked the usefulness of the cartons and trays for the windscreen.

 

[scotpens]

If you can get hold of an old Mattel Vac-U-Form machine (they're not hard to find on Evilbay and other online sources), you can use it to heat and shape clear sheet styrene. Carve a wooden mold to the required shape and form the plastic over it. You can also use that method to duplicate plastic model kit parts.

 

[E-DUB]

I think he's talking about what modelers refer to as "compound curves", or the bane of scratchbuilders. If you're going to use it often enough, building your own vacuum forming "machine" is easy enough and cheap, assuming you already have a shop-vac. I did one and the first thing I built was a dio of the "Guardian of Forever", using a one-use clay prototype.