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| I have put together the following 'hints & tips' which
I have found to be the 'golden rules' to successful matchstick modelling and
hope they will help you in your hobby. If you have any specific problems please
feel free to e-mail me. I do not know the answer to everything but I would like
to think that over the years I have learnt most of 'the tricks of the trade'.
Likewise if you have any tips you wish to share please let me know and I will
add them to this page. Patience Tiredness Tools Read Instructions Avoid Shortcuts Using Glue Odd Shapes Sanding & Assembly Match Cutter PATIENCE It is very important in matchstick modelling to have a lot of patience, some models can take 3 months or more to complete - there are no fast results. TIREDNESS The main thing you need to avoid is tiredness. Never tackle this type of hobby when tired, it only leads to mistakes which cannot easily be put right. TOOLS You will find the hobby much easier if you have the right tools. I find it best to keep a set of tools just for matchstick modelling, this avoids running round looking for that special tool that you 'borrowed' to fix the kitchen door etc.. I keep the following tools in my modelling kit: Small 1" paintbrush, pair of pointed pliers, a flexible knife set, small square, two small G-clamps, a set of small files, scissors, pencils, side cutters, straight edge, ruler, and matchstick cutter. It is also a good idea to get one of those small rechargeable 'do-it-all' machines, they will make your life so much easier. You will also need a cutting board to protect your table and a small sponge kept in shallow water and a towel as you will find the glue getting on your fingers and so by dipping your fingers in the water and drying them off you will avoid the mess. READ INSTRUCTIONS Please read the instructions and fully understand what parts need to be made and in what order. AVOID SHORT CUTS There are no short cuts to matchstick modelling, if you try to make a short cut it will show in the end product or even worse, you will have to discard it and make that section again. USING GLUE When cladding a pre-cut card former, glue the card, not the matchsticks. Use a small paintbrush to spread enough glue for about 10 minutes of cladding time. Keep the paintbrush damp when not in use to avoid it drying out. On flat sections place the section under a heavy flat object and allow 4-5 hours drying time. ODD SHAPES When making a circular object (such as a pen holder) try to obtain a length of tube the diameter of the size needed. Line the outside with paper by gluing the overlap only (do not glue the paper to the tube). Clad the paper with matches and allow to dry thoroughly and sand it whilst still on the tube, then slide it off the tube. If you need the matches to 'bend' such as for wheels or balloons you must first soak the matches for up to 24 hours and at least overnight at room temperature, you will then be able to bend the matches to the required shape with your fingers. If you are using this method it is a good idea to prepare several matches at a time. SANDING AND ASSEMBLY Always make as many sections as possible before starting to assemble, this will give you a better insight into the involvement of the model and can avoid complications at a later stage. When sanding the sections use a coarse sandpaper across the grain first then finish with a fine sandpaper with the grain. The more time spent on sanding the smoother the end product will be but please remember that these are only matches. A lot of people have asked me how to sand odd shapes etc. I have made myself a lot of sanding blocks, these are basically made of short peices of wood, cut to shape with a good quality sandpaper glued to them. Please see picture below.
MATCH CUTTER I have been sent this tip from another matchstick modeller, Lee. The cutter that came with my first kit,( a Matchitecture Japanese Bridge) has on its base a grooved channel for the purpose of guiding a matchstick for cutting. Rather than continually trying to locate the groove I glued a stick in place parallel to the guide. This allows me to very quickly make my cuts. Many thanks for this great tip. As I said earlier, I hope this helps but please get in touch if you have any problems or any tips you wish to pass on.
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