Model Making Guides
Free tutorials, tips, and techniques to help you master the art of model making.
Showing 49-58 of 58 guides
Liquid Latex Rubber
This product information sheet introduces Latex Liquid Rubber, a pre-vulcanised, air-drying emulsion used to create flexible, detailed moulds. It explains the material’s versatility, common applications, and expected shrinkage, as well as the suitability of different master materials, noting that porous masters such as plaster or clay work best. The guide outlines key considerations for mould-making methods—including dipping and paint-on techniques—and highlights when a support jacket is required. It provides an overview of latex’s strengths, limitations, and compatibility, serving as a practical introduction for users producing lightweight, flexible moulds.
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Metal Casting
This guide introduces two practical methods for small-scale metal casting: sand casting and silicone-mould casting. It explains the essential principles of working with low-melting metals, including achieving the correct pouring temperature and avoiding gas absorption. Step-by-step instructions cover preparing moulds in silicone or casting sand, creating registration keys and pour channels, and safely melting and pouring metal using a controlled melting pot. The guide also outlines common tools and materials, troubleshooting considerations, and the limitations of each method. A summary of 4D Modelshop’s bespoke metal casting service is included for users who prefer professional production.
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Photo Etching Service
This guide outlines 4D Modelshop’s photo etching service, which reproduces customer artwork in brass, copper or nickel silver with precision-cut or half-etched detailing. It explains artwork preparation requirements, including file formats, line weights and colour coding for different etch depths, as well as notes on scaling and font handling. The document introduces the workshop’s controlled etching technique, enabling finer detail and reduced over-etching even on thicker metals, and describes options for in-filling half-etched areas. A summary of available metal thicknesses, achievable tolerances and maximum sheet sizes helps users plan their project, while contact details are provided for technical advice and bespoke support.
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Rosco Foamcoat
This product guide introduces Rosco Foamcoat, a durable, water-based coating designed to protect and finish foam and other scenic materials. It explains Foamcoat’s ability to create a hard, impact-resistant surface that can be sanded, carved or textured, making it ideal for props, models and stage scenery. The guide outlines suitable substrates, application methods, drying times and options for tinting or painting. Practical tips are provided for achieving smooth or detailed finishes and for preparing different surfaces for coating.
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Services Overview
This guide provides an overview of 4D Modelshop’s on-site workshop services, which include photo etching, dry transfers, laser cutting and engraving, vinyl cutting, resin and metal casting, bespoke tree making, in-filling, and professional artwork support. These services can be combined within a single project, enabling complex commissions such as engraved awards or laser-cut components fitted with etched detailing. Known for fast turnaround and high-quality results, the workshop team work closely with clients to meet exact specifications. Visitors can also see the facilities in action during monthly Workshop Insight Sessions.
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Shaping Styrofoam
This guide, adapted from David Neat’s model-making methods, explains practical techniques for shaping styrofoam into smooth, accurate or concave forms. It covers marking and cutting strategies, making custom sanding formers for controlled curves, and using knives, saws, rasps and wire brushes to refine detail or add texture. The document demonstrates how to build composite forms from layered foam, achieve precise edges using template “stops,” and create rock or carved effects. Guidance on suitable adhesives, bonding methods and surface preparation for mouldmaking—such as sealing with coloured Vaseline—is also included. The techniques provide a reliable workflow for producing clean, repeatable geometric shapes as well as more organic sculpted surfaces.
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Soft Soldering
This guide introduces the essentials of soft soldering for modelmakers, covering suitable metals, recommended solders, fluxes and soldering irons. It explains how to prepare joint surfaces, tin the iron, and apply solder correctly for clean, reliable bonds. Practical steps outline how to pre-tin both parts, assemble the joint, and reheat to fuse the solder layers, with guidance on working along longer seams and cleaning off corrosive flux residues. The guide helps beginners achieve strong, neat soldered joints on materials such as brass, copper, steel, tinplate and nickel silver.
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Styrene Modelling
This guide introduces the essentials of working with styrene sheet and profiles for fast, clean modelmaking. It explains the material’s key advantages—easy scoring, snapping, shaping and bonding—alongside the simple toolset required. Using liquid solvent adhesives such as Plastic Weld, joints are fused by capillary action to create strong, seamless bonds that can be reworked or separated if needed. The guide outlines basic cutting and assembly techniques, available colours and thicknesses, and the range of complementary styrene sections, helping beginners use this versatile modelling plastic with speed and confidence.
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Working with Oiled Manilla
This guide explains how to use oiled manilla—an oiled, durable, fine-cut card ideal for small-scale modelling—to create detailed furniture, architectural elements and textured surfaces. It covers selecting thicknesses, preparing templates, fixing artwork, and cutting intricate shapes cleanly using scalpels and metal rules. Techniques such as scoring, bending, layering, sanding for woodgrain, and shaping louvred slats are demonstrated, alongside advice on staining, painting, and assembling pieces with superglue. With its strength, sharp edges and wood-like finish, oiled manilla is shown to be a versatile material for refined 1:25 model components.
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Working with PVC Foamed Palight
This guide introduces the versatility of foamed PVC (Palight) for modelmaking, highlighting its ease of cutting, carving, bending and sanding, as well as its strength, stability and light weight. It explains how to apply printed templates, build precise forms by layering and laminating pieces, and glue components effectively using superglue. Examples demonstrate construction techniques for intricate details, curved architectural forms and surface texturing, including methods for simulating wood grain through sanding and embossing. With its forgiving surface, clean cutting behaviour and compatibility with paint after priming or sanding, foamed PVC is shown to be a highly adaptable material for both structural and decorative model work.
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