Here’s a breakdown of the items I can’t live without…

- “UHU Office Pen” Model No.99589. In my books the “ultimate” glue pen for paper modeling. Dries fast, doesn’t warp your paper, maintains its bond, goes on clear, easy application non-clogging tip. So useful in fact that I now order them by the boxful.

- Medium size “Mastercraft” Utility knife. Pick one up at your local hardware store or office supply store for under $5.00. BUY SPARE BLADES!!!

- “PrismaColor” art pens. I have a stack of these felts in a rainbow of colors left over from design school. They are expensive but they last for YEARS and are ideal for edging. Black permanent markers work just as well for those on a budget.

- “Cutting Mat”. This item is essential for paper modeling and will save you money in the long run because they are kind to your knife blades. Your cutting mat will also assist you in making more precise cuts because of the nature of its plastic/rubber surface.

- Flat wallpaper roller. This tool will help you to burnish base tiles with great precision and speed.

- “Georgia-Pacific” white 110LB cardstock. This is hands down the best brand of cardstock you can buy for our models. Great color reproduction, sharp image and more than strong enough for the job. I buy it in the 150-250 sheet packages at a very reasonable price.

- Black core foamcore sheets. Amazing basing material that is strong and very easy to cut. Because the core is made of black foam you do not need to edge the sides of your basing once cut.

Now, the only question is; how can I get these people to sponsor me?

Denny's response was pretty complete, but just to toss in a couple comments:

Cork-backed rulers are very handy, and easily available at art / hobby stores. 12" is ideal for paper modeling, in my experience. The only drawback is that the cork raises the edge off the paper slightly, so you lose a little bit of precision. I tend to flip mine over and use it cork-side-up when doing particularly intricate stuff.

Coated paper is NOT ideal for this work. It costs far, far too much, and ink from markers will seep more on coated stock. As Denny said, 110 lb plain cardstock is the way to go.

Finally managed to get some 110 stock card that is coated in Sydney for around 16cents (Aus)!!! Two hundred sheets later and I need more. This stuff hold colour like offset printing but with out the cost. I was paying up to 60cents a page.

I also got some refills that drops the cost from $30 per tank of colour (five plus black) down to $1.60.

So in this end of the world it is "all good".

As a side note we (Aussies) have to look a hell of a lot harder to find anything that is craft and not the mainstream, so I'm very happy with my find.


I am also working on a rule that has a 70 degree bevelled into it for ease of use.


Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

One question for Denny: What do you use for scoring? Are you using a "cutting" or "compresion" method?

Everthing Denny lists (with the exception of the specialized Prismacolor markers & that specific brand of glue pen) can be had at Walmart. Including the cork backed 12" rulers.(Look in the office/school supplies section). It took some digging to find the burnisher. They had them in the craft section burried in amongst the ScrapBook glue, cutters, et al.

I really need to find that Glue Pen Denny has listed though. As EVERYTHING I've used warps the paper to some extent(unless I press it in a book). Either due to too much water content, or the nib just not being consistent...

-Fl0yd

ps. I've got the same set of Prisma Color markers from Art School too. And they are going on 8 years old. I've only ever needed to buy Black and Grey as they get used the most. (They are expensive!!!!!)

Office Max has a Helix Metal Safety Ruler for US $1.99 that has recessed non-slip rubber strips that allows the ruler to lie flat. I found it in the section with drafting supplies. It works well.

I have found it at Michael's Craft supplies., but it does not show on their web page. A quick search later, I am back: http://www.shopping.com/xFS?KW=Foam+Cor ... s&FD=95263

You may be able to find better prices, but that was the page I found.

*EDIT* And Froogle: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=%22 ... ch+Froogle

The Auld Grump

Hey guys, thanks for the links and pics of some of your equipment, especially the safety ruler and the UHU glue!