Hi, I'm still working on my first diorama in 1:32 using 21st century 32X figures. I just got some foamboard 3/16" thick to make the main buildings and some balsa wood to do roofs and floors and such. My first questiion is about the foam board itself. I've used 1/2" before and it was rather hard to cut using a basic razor blade especially when cutting out things like windows, i just couldn't get a clean edge and the foam would come out leaving only the paper sandwhich. Any suggestions on how to get a nice clean cut? My second question concerns scale. I found that the figures are 6 cm tall so I basically converted cm into ft for the scale. My question is, if 6 cm is the average height of the soldier, would 9 cm be a good ceiling height? I ask because I don't want ones that seem too high or low and doorways as well which I'm making about 7-8 cm. Again, thanks for the help I'm a bit new at this and will have many forthcoming questions. :-)

Hey,
Good questions.
Here are a couple of articles that may help with general contruction.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/142
and
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/70
and
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/112

As far ask specifics on scale the measurements you gave sound ok. I would recommend that you measure your house and make some minor adjustments for thater and time frame. I believe celeings may have been a bit shorter in the 40's and in Europe..
As far as cutting foam board - they make 'hot wire' saws that may do the trick. I've never used foam bard 1/2" thick so I don't know directly. Is the foam like the meat trays you get at the grocery store or the stuff used in packing electronic goods? I would recommend the meat tray kind, they are stiffer and easier to work with. If you have the packing kind, patience and a good sharp knife are whats necessary.
In my opinion half inch thick walls would lend themselves to walls made of stone or rock.

General rule of dio building - test every technique that is new to you on a piece or kit or dio that you do not worry about destroying if the technique goes bad.. That way you don't ruin any of your good hard work.

Take a look at those articles and ask more questions as you go.

When you say "foamboard"... do you mean simple sheets of styrofoam, or do you mean the FoamCore "matboards" that are finished with smooth paper on the outsides? Either will work well (I'm a big fan of FoamCore) but both will tear up if you don't use new sharp razors... I personally use an Xacto knife, and keep a nice stock of new blades nearby... as soon as i see the blade begin to TEAR instead of cut, i change to a new blade.

Also, a little bit of heat (matches or candle) held an inch or two away will quickly seal and ragged edges of styrofoam.

Keith to answer your question it is the foamcore with the smooth paper cover on each side. Thanks for the advice and I'll have many more questions in the future. By the way I'm a huge fan of all your dioramas they're excellent.

Hi, I've been working on the lattice frame to create a floor and my question is on how to glue them. Should I use a hot glue gun or will basic white Elmer's glue do the trick?

Chris... the "duct tape" of my hobby life is a great (and I mean GREAT) glue product called FABRITAC (made by Beacon). You can find it at most any major hobby shop (Hobby Lobby and Michaels both carry it).

Here is what is so great about this stuff (besides tasting great when mixed well with Vodka!)

- Comes out "sticky" and has a thick consistancy like peanut butter. This means you can position something and stand back to see if it looks right... IMMEDIATELY! The stickiness will hold it in place for enough time to decide if you like the look.

- can be rubbed off while damp... it is kinda like a sticky rubber label... use your thumb to roll back and forth over any mistakes and it will ball up and come right off!

- dries clear
- dries HARD as a rock!
- holds forever - have never had a piece just "fall off" (like some white glues).
- no real fumes or vapors... so no headache after a night of glueing
- can be put on thick or can be put on in a thin film'
- will basically glue any two surfaces together... wood, plaster, metal, glass - you name it!