Microbeam (matchsticks)

[stan brown]

Has any one done any modelling with these as whilst I've not been through every post I do not think I've seen anything about it in the ones I've looked at so far.
They are useful little objects in other forms of model making.
I'll await the fallout on this query.

Stan

[chill]

If I have understood this ok- the only matchstick models I've ever seen are in model shop windows.

Oh I have used match sticks in my Deag Spit fire build - I used them to 'lock' in the wings into the jig as they were being built

[Mark]

I'm pretty sure nobody has done any matchstick models on this forum. I know somebody did on the old Bismarck forum, and of course, the matchstick was a standard unit of scale for those who find the sugar cube just too big.

[stan brown]

If helps to clear any doubts the matchsticks are used to produce complete models with glue such as PVA and/or cyano and then can be painted but are more usually just varnished. They can be bought as kits. No other parts are usually used. Probably in essence a form of scratch build. Kits are available from mail order or from shops such as Domino's toy shop like we have in Leicester. You can get plan's only and buy bags of matches. Just thought it might make an interesting alternative for your comp.


Stan

[baby_astons]

quit smoking long ago so I'd be out then from a matchstick competition I'm afraid

[bufferz]

Like these? Could be a good idea for the xmas competition...

[stan brown]

This site should give you an idea of what I mean

http://hobby.uk.com/matchstick-modellin ... ?limit=all

Stan

[steam60]

I built the traction engine many years ago and it made a good model wonder what happened to it?

[martin_g]

A couple of pics of microbeam (matchstick) models I have built.
A Chinese Dragon boat and Windmill.




Quite enjoyed them.

[Paul]

Hi Stan,

I did a very basic boat one as a kid, so I understood your original post - Heck in those days a lot of (PVA glue I think ?) rather than !!!

From memory, they were quite difficult to do to align all the matchsticks correctly - but that was too many years ago to think about !

[Paul]

A couple of pics of microbeam (matchstick) models I have built.
A Chinese Dragon boat and Windmill.




Quite enjoyed them.

Excellent work there Martin & well worth a K !

[stan brown]

Thanks for the pics from Martin_g they are just what I meant and in fact are very high standard.
I have not been around for a little while hence the date of this response, family matters have taken me away from my interests.

regards Stan

[maximus2012]

Hi Stan,

I did a very basic boat one as a kid, so I understood your original post - Heck in those days a lot of (PVA glue I think ?) rather than !!!

From memory, they were quite difficult to do to align all the matchsticks correctly - but that was too many years ago to think about !

Looks great, done some 1/250 scale ships from matchsticks when I was younger and my eyes where ok. You can still buy bags of them with the burny bits shopped off from certain modelshops.

[stan brown]

Just to update those who are looking at this topic, there is a new edition of the Hobby's catalogue out here in UK that has a lot of Match kits and they are also calling some of the kits Matchitecture now that uses the build technique similar to how balsa aircraft can be made. The range of kits is quite varied as well, might just tempt a few of you.

The catalogue also contains lots of useful tools, bits and pieces to add extras to models.

Stan

[grovsey]

I got the winill AMD steam roller if anyone wants to swop plans send me a pm

[Rob]

Hello Everyone,
A number of years ago I was given a matchstick modelling kit of the Mary Rose. The method of construction was to build the basic shape from card and then glue matchsticks onto this using PVA glue. I have since built models to my own design using this technique. Here are a few:
Steam Roller

PICT2514 (640x480) (125x94).jpg (51.33 KiB) Viewed 8108 times

Living Van

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Tank

PICT2548 (125x94).jpg (47.9 KiB) Viewed 8108 times

Vulcan Bomber and Wright Flyer

PICT2567 (640x480) (125x94).jpg (51.63 KiB) Viewed 8108 times

[Rob]

I recently built this model of the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter. The locomotive is a model of the Flying Scotsman (given to me by a friend, I believe it was from a partwork), repainted to represent the Hogwarts Express.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[maximus2012]

I went to a modelboat show in Swansey (Wales) many years ago and there was lad with hundreds of ship models made out of match sticks to the scale of I think 1/1200 the where magnificent. I sometimes use matchsticks to beef up my card models or use them for mast`s and spar`s. The are very useful, I think you can buy a big bag of them 1000 or so in there for a few quid.

[Paul]

I went to a modelboat show in Swansey (Wales) many years ago and there was lad with hundreds of ship models made out of match sticks to the scale of I think 1/1200 the where magnificent. I sometimes use matchsticks to beef up my card models or use them for mast`s and spar`s. The are very useful, I think you can buy a big bag of them 1000 or so in there for a few quid.

A lot of things around us can be great to help, eg cotton buds florists wire etc
Sorry for the Hijack Stan

[stan brown]

Absolutely no probs there Paul, I've lost count of the uses they can be good for. Suppose there will a slight spate of double entendre's now.