In Praise of Evergreen Styrene

[Roger Holmes]

I have been an N scale modeler since 1970 and from the outset my favorite aspect of the hobby is modeling structures.  I built a number of wood with metal castings kits and then discovered kitbashing plastic kits.  I am not sure when I bought my first pack of Evergreen styrene but it was probably in the mid-1970's. The oldest package of strips that I currently own has a $1.49 price sticker. The newest is $3.03.  I have packages manufactured in Kirkland, Washington, Woodinville, WA and the newest in Des Plaines. IL.

I always have at least two structures on the workbench at all times and for the last few months I have been working on a substantial kitbash which also entails some scratch building and I got to thinking how how none of this would have been possible without Evergreen strips, shapes and sheets.  I wonder what type of machinery is used to cut with such precision and lack of fuzz or flash. I was working with .020 X .030 strips this past weekend and marvel at their precise cut.

I have built scale miles of sidewalks, 10 feet of retaining walls, converted HO buildings to N scale and the list goes on.  I guess this is just the musings of an OF who doesn't feel like working in the office today.

Here's a preview of the latest project.  All but two of the 105 pieces of these steps are Evergreen strip and sheets.

[Philip H]

That's some 105 piece puzzle there sir.

[MVW]

Stunning, really. I can't even imagine ...

Jim

[thomasjmdavis]

If I were to guess, I'd say you are a couple of lions short of the entrance of the Art Institute.

But whatever it is, I hope you show it to us once the building facade is up.

(from other fan of Evergreen styrene)

[Roger Holmes]

Tom D. You are a very astute guesser     The verde gris felines are finished and waiting to take their places.

[mu26aeh]

Between them and Plastruc, some of us could never have what we really want/need on the layout. 

Awesome job, you'd never know it was 105 pieces.  I didn't count when I did my lime loadout 

[thomasjmdavis]

Tom D. You are a very astute guesser     The verde gris felines are finished and waiting to take their places.

In my Chicago days, I would visit anytime I was downtown with a few spare hours. Climbed those steps many times. Great project, do please share some photos as it progresses.

[jereising]

Reminds me of one of my later projects - the Villa La Paz :



I also am appreciative of the strip suppliers!

[w neal]

Agreed. Its amazing that those strips and sheets are so precise and perfect. We would all be in a word of hurt without these fine products.

Here is a small creation made with both Evergreen and Plastruct products. Even small projects like this would be difficult.

[Bob]

Really great work Roger.  The pieces that compose your stairs must be perfectly square - do you have a preferred method of cutting?  Bob

[basementcalling]

Roger, indeed you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen. Your skills are complete, even if you are half a bottle of Testors liquid cement short of a full brain after that. 

Can't wait to see more.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I also am appreciative of the strip suppliers!

[randgust]

The biggest problem I've had with styrene over the years has been warping due to solvent cements.   It may be OK for a while, but after a few years, any 'surface to surface' joint may have some rather severe warpage.    You can reinforce the bejeesus out of it and it will still warp.

It's always the glue.   I've found out that on any 'surface to surface' rather than edge-to-edge or edge-to-surface joint, ACC works much, much better, is just as strong and does not cause any warping, actually increases stiffness.   But you better get the positioning right the first time, you won't get a second chance.  You can do .005 to .005 and it won't warp.

Second issue is aging.   It does tend to embrittle over time.   My 'Bigfoot Heisler' was done on the tender and cab with styrene, back in 1976.   I've had a lot of repairs to do as the styrene has aged.    Not awful....yet....but it has led me to prefer to use brass rather than styrene where possible.

[Roger Holmes]

I do most of my cutting with a Chopper II and an X-Acto saw with a fine toothed blade and the X-Acto miter box. Probably time for another new miter box as the slot gets wonky after too many cuts.

I have been using cheap fingernail emery boards from Target a lot lately for throw-away sanding sticks. For styrene to styrene bonds I have always used Testor's liquid. And, yes, I have had one spill already during this project.  For the acrylic parts I used to use Tenax but my LHS now carries a brand called Flexi-File which seems to be the same thing.

As far as the 105 parts count, there is a lot of unseen bracing under the two flat areas.  Hopefully more photos next weekend.  My greatest current issue is finding a light gray rattle can that I like now the Model Master rattle cans are gone.  I have used Rustoleum 2X "Fossil" on a few projects but it goes on a bit thick dries glossy requiring requiring a flat coat.  I tried Tamiya gray primer but it came out too dark.  The actual building was built in 1893 from Indiana Limestone and it "reads" pretty light gray in the sunlight.

[fcnrwy23]

Hear, Hear!! 
On those praises of Evergreen Styrene...
Many a structure and item on the FCN, was created with styrene.. 

I even found a nice canvas bag, to carry my "Petro-chemical Tin of Joy"   


Great Work on those "Steps"..

Jerry G.