How To: Styrene Cart

[thecoldwarrior]

Here is a quick build of a small cart. As always I may gloss over something specific so feel free to ask for a better explanation.

This cart will have solid wheels as spoked wheels are a bit trickier to make. For the main shape any box will do. If you want a longer or wider flatbed just change your dimensions. Here Ive laid out the flat pieces on some 1.5mm styrene. It will have a bottom, 2 sides and a back.


After scoring and snapping the parts I used a roto tool to create the wood grain.


Next I cut several thin pieces from a 3/4in tube. Using a vice will better hold the stock for cutting. Remember to not apply too much pressure when cutting. You will get a cleaner straighter cut by letting the blade do the work.


De burr the rings and sand them flush starting with around 60 grit and working to 200 grit sandpaper. Again apply only light pressure and let the paper do the work.


Now to make some discs. I have gone the route of circle cutters. In some cases it is the way to go. I find is easier to cut smaller discs in the following way.

Mark out the size of the disc with a compass. Notice they are marked on over sized styrene to maintain the shape. Make sure to indent the center point well as it will be needed later. Now mark lines that follow from the circle to the edge of the stock. Its like the James Bond icon. Score on these lines and snap off the extra. Now refine the shape with a file. Note that the discs were made of 1mm sheet.


Place the discs into the rings and weld with solvent. Note that the disc is pressed flush with the back of the ring. Be careful not to weld the wheel to your work surface. Double stick tape can help prevent this.


With most of the parts ready, begin to assemble the cart. I used liquid cement for polystyrene to join the back and sides to the top of the bottom plate. Next I joined a rod onto the bottom as an axle. Drill a hole in each wheel and slip it onto the axle. I cut some tube as a collar or hub.


Now its a matter of how much detail to add. Ive added some corners supports and rivets. On the underside Ive added a bar to pull the cart with and the wheels got pins in the hubs.


You could add more detail to the wheels by creating woodgrain and support cross beams. If you would like a broken cart I recommend that you build it fully then break it. This will look more natural.

There you go a simple cart! The combinations are limitless. If you get into a larger flat bed consider adding more support beams to the underside of the bottom plate. Use a reference photo of a real cart if you can. When making miniatures you do not always have to follow the laws of physics that the actual item would. Keeping the physics in mind will make a more convincing piece though.

Good Luck!

[banedrom]

What material is that tubing? The only thing holding my chariots back is the wheels and this is an awesome solution.

Yet another fabulous styrene piece.

thecoldwarrior has inspired me to work with styrene myself and I am overjoyed with results. Main thing to remember is just don't be afraid. Get in there and mess around. Same with GS and conversions. Get down and dirty and you will be surprised with what you can come up with.

[Mallekha the Overwhelmer]

man, you don't stop to impress me with your styrene sheet constructions, they are just so cool!

i gotta find some sheets and start making my own...

[thecoldwarrior]

Here here! Very well put. I am still a tiny bit afraid of green stuff.

The tube is butyrate. This is similar to styrene and will weld to it if given enough persuasion (ie a touch more solvent). Its black cuz I got a bunch of tubes on clearance and the colored ones were the ones on sale. I got it from Plastruct. Be aware they have a $20 minimum order.

Thanx!

[Grarrzag]

what exactly is a roto tool? (the one used for wood grain)

You have very good styrene skills and I love the way you did the broken ends of the wood, very nice!!!

[thecoldwarrior]

Quick update. I supper glued a bbq skewer in an inconspicuous place. This is a really nice way to undercoat and paint chariot style minis, such as the cart. Once painted, just pop it off and touch up that spot.


Here it is painted and basically done.


A roto tool is like a Dremel or Wizard. Like this....


This post has been edited by thecoldwarrior on Nov 2 2007, 01:02 AM

[sturtus]

Wow, just having a read over that reminded me how long it's been since ive done any jewellery work

Again, a pretty smooth tutorial. Makes want to go and build stuff.

[Grarrzag]

It looks even better painted! That is nice!


EDIT: I just noticed its smaller than I thought, oh well, still lokks way better than what I can do!

This post has been edited by Grarrzag on Nov 2 2007, 12:59 AM

[skank]

For a minute there, i though you had built the cart in the time between me posting for advice and you tutorial.
Looks great, this will help me out big time.
I want to make a baggage train unit filler for my gnoblar units, full of scrap and animals/captive in cages. This is perfect.

What you use you're model for?

Got to get me so proper tools...

[thecoldwarrior]

I did. Started about 2 hours after I saw your post then I wrote the tutorial. Im glad I could help! I dont really have any plans for it at all. I made it cuz I wanted to show my appreciation for the wonderful Minotaurs.

I started one a while back for an Artillery Train of Nuln. Thing is I dont have enough Empire weapons to do that yet. I had considered making all of them and or trying to cast my own creations but the whole thing is on the back burner.

[bigpig]

.....amazing.....

Since when did MacGyver start doing Warhammer?

"and now let me show you how to make a mock up of the new High Elf Dragon kit using a tampon, 4 toothpicks, and this shiny quarter"

You never cease to amaze me with your ingenuity.

Thanks for the tutorial. I will definitely have to give this a try

[mrtn]

You're great mate, as usual.

[skank]

That's very cool, many thanks.