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Dioramas: Techniques
Diorama techniques and related subjects.
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Mini Art Buildings
spartan01
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California, United States
Joined: December 25, 2011
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Posted: Friday, February 28, 2014 - 08:27 PM UTC
So I really like the different buildings and bases that mini art has to offer one problem they are done in a vaccuform style and cause a lot of problems to cut out at least for me

does anybody have a secret technique
ltb073
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New York, United States
Joined: March 08, 2010
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Posted: Friday, February 28, 2014 - 08:32 PM UTC
Frank go to Mini-Arts web site for a tutorial on the easiest way to cut and assemble their kits
Biggles2
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, March 01, 2014 - 04:00 AM UTC
I agree. They are a big PITA, and need a lot of trial and error cutting and fitting. And, if you cut too much, filling and patching. And sometimes forcing and clamping walls to meet at 90* (can't find the degree symbol!). But when the dust settles,they can be a very nice model. Note: floors, and roofs and rafters are usually a weak point in MiniArt buildings and I scratch build mine from scrap balsa, etc. Rusty Stumps makes ,or used to make, strips of European style shingles on heavy gauge paper, colored to simulate slate, terra cotta, etc. They also make laser-cut wood stringers and steps for interior (and exterior) detailing.
Biggles2
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Posted: Saturday, March 01, 2014 - 04:02 AM UTC
This will help:
http://www.miniart-models.com/index.htm?/Assembly/page_01.php
Good luck!
spartan01
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California, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 06:19 PM UTC
thank you so much
easyco69
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: November 03, 2012
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Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 12:14 AM UTC
They have tutorials on their website. It just takes patience & practice. The end result is very satisfying .
Use a very sharp hobby knife & a straight edge when cutting. Use several strokes to cut instead of one hard one.
Biggles2
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Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 03:41 AM UTC
An easy way to cut the parts out is to score along the cut line with a couple of passes with a sharp blade, and then just snap off the piece. Your score line is the 'path of least resistance' and a neat break will follow that line.
Motives
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Stockholm, Sweden
Joined: October 15, 2013
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Posted: Monday, March 24, 2014 - 10:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text

An easy way to cut the parts out is to score along the cut line with a couple of passes with a sharp blade, and then just snap off the piece. Your score line is the 'path of least resistance' and a neat break will follow that line.



I do this and then pull out a large sheet of sandpaper, place it flat on my workbench and then sand the entire piece flat (to the center line)
Works pretty well and does most times require very little filling afterwards
Biggles2
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Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - 04:50 AM UTC
Yup. That's the best way to do it. Just have to apply even pressure on the plastic piece while sanding otherwise one side will be lower than the other .
white4doc
#429
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: October 14, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - 12:51 AM UTC
I've built a couple of them, when you're sanding them use a figure 8 motion over the sand paper. I used an old (as in no longer useable confined clearance grout float and poster mounting tape(double stick and leaves no residue) for even pressure.
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