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[MGSweeney]

Hi all,
finally getting time to start my model and I was wondering, what's the best way to mark out my plasticard?
I have tried using tracing paper on my plans, cutting out a template and marking round that but it isn't very accurate, i'm guessing card would work better.
What method would you all suggest?

[furball]

If it was a fairly regular shape, I.e. squares/rectangles/circles etc., I'd probably just measure it and re-draw it on the plastic, but if complicated try taking a tracing or photocopy of the bit of the plan you want to transfer, tape it to the plastic so it doesn't move, and use a pin or something similar to lightly prick through the copy into the plastic. When done, remove the copy and join the pinpricks up with a pencil.


Cheers


Lance

[JimG]

Use the old fashioned way. Copy the lines using tracing paper then on the reverse rub over the lines with a soft pencil making sure the lines are fully covered. Now place the tracing paper the right way up on the card and using a firm pencil draw over the lines making sure that the paper doesn't move. When the paper is removed the lines will be marked on the card in pencil. The markings are easily rubbed off so care must be taken when cutting.
An alternative is to use carbon paper under the tracing paper when marking on the card. (If you can get the carbon paper)

Jim

[john44]

Hi Jim, if I am cutting small or intricate parts I stick wide masking tape onto the plasticard
And then please a sheet of carbon paper in between the card and plan draw over the part from
The plan and it should transfer through the carbon paper onto the masking tape.
Make sure you place the carbon paper the right way up.


John

[Vintage]

Hi all,
...what's the best way to mark out my plasticard?
I have tried using tracing paper on my plans, cutting out a template and marking round that but it isn't very accurate, i'm guessing card would work better.
What method would you all suggest?

Hi,

Can you not photocopy the relevant part of the plan and then stick it to the plasticard using a repositionable Spray Mount adhesive?

You can then use a scalpel to trace along the lines and then, once you've done this, you can remove the photocopy leaving pin-sharp cutting lines. You can highlight these lines by rubbing across them with a soft pencil and then wiping it off - it'll leave a fine black line in the cut...

If the plasticard is thin enough, and you've sufficiently scored it, then you'll almost certainly be able to just bend along the line and accurately snap it 

Hope this helps,

Mark

[MGSweeney]

Thanks a lot guys! Lots of great ideas! I'll have another go.

Michael.

[essex2visuvesi]

http://www.cultpens.com/i/q/ED03899/edding-8404-aerospace-marker-pen


A handy pen to have in the workshop as it will write on just about anything. It is permanent tho.... very permanent!

[warspite]

Ask radiojoe, his skills are second to none.

[irons01]

What I've done before is to take the plans and photocopy them, or draw up in CAD and print out, then cut roughly out (leaving the lines you want to cut) and glue down onto the plasticard with pritstick, this is enough to hold the paper in place for cutting, then wash the cut plasticard bits in soapy water. This cleans the parts from any glue / paper residue and makes them clean for gluing together. Works well for me!

[john44]

Hi Jim, if I am cutting small or intricate parts I stick wide masking tape onto the plasticard
And then please a sheet of carbon paper in between the card and plan draw over the part from
The plan and it should transfer through the carbon paper onto the masking tape.
Make sure you place the carbon paper the right way up.


John

I also use the carbon paper method on plywood, minus the masking tape of course.
Quick and no mess, works for me.


John

[JimG]

If photocopying there is a risk of some distortion in the copy. You should draw measured scales on the original and check that the copy is full size in all directions.

Jim

[MGSweeney]

Hi all,
I tried the tracing out the panel, placing it on the plasticard and going over the lines with a pin, has worked very well and i'm very impressed!

[Onetenor]

Tape or pritt-stik the paper pattern to the plasti-card and use a wheel cutter through the paper and  the plastic too .One firm cut will go through the thin card otherwise just keep rolling until the cut is complete . Nice clean cuts if you take care .   
                                                     Good luck