hey guys i want to get into doing my own buildings instead of buying the kits. im just not sure how to go about doing it i was thinking bulsa wood? foam? any tips would be great, any instructions or anything, i live in hawaii so we dont get the best selection of mother nature so make sure it is available to me.
thanks,
the general

Do a search for posts by blockhaus and cheyenne two of the Armorama's great building makers.
It's oop at present but Roy Porter's Model Building Masterclass is an excellent book for anyone wanting to construct their own buildings.

Thanks Pat, don't forget Claude's [ a.k.a. roudeleiw ], very fine construction work.
Glenn

Here are a few features that cover a wide array of construction materials, foam, foam board, cork, plaster, etc and techniques.
Distraction

Custom Walls

Making Wood

Gotcha Covered

Here is a starter thread on cheyennes work - read through the thread for great construction tips and alternate sources/uses of materials
Thread 1
Church thread2

thanks alot scott, and cheyenne, you guys helped a lot. how dry does the plaster need to be before you can carve mortar lines? and what kind of plaster is good? plaster of paris? model clay?

The plaster I use is Hydrocal from Woodland scenics. You can get it at most hobby stores. Michaels and AC Moore have similar type products (don't know the names).
As far as dry time. I'd let it set a good 6 hours (over night), then try it. The dryer it is the better in my opinion, you get crisper details that way.

Hi Preston , the answer to you question, need a entire book, apart from Plaster of Paris or others materials: cork, plastic , clay etc... I think that the best material for the first construction work is carboard of 1mm this permit work with the basics of archtitecture; shape and volume. Of course the material may not works as others but permit reach good results wit a minimun effort.
these are some samples :





hope that this helps

those are cardboard? hm... im intrigued. thanks alot blackhaus um.... im going to try that hydrocal with some molds ( i got insturctions)and ill see how it goes.
thanks

hey thanks for all of your suggestions! this helps me very much!

-ivan