Tutorial: The Basics of Working With Styrene

Here is a short tutorial concerning the basics of working with styrene.

[@Iskelderon]

Thank you for not only the great primer, but also making it so accessible that the information can be transposed to everything, from buildings all the way to spaceships.

[@ericlochstampfor6545]

Would love it if you added some links to the products you mention in your video, in the description. Great stuff, very helpful and informative!

[@sarhan_]

^

[@TyJoe_N_MattyMoe]

This is a sweet video. I started building a 1/10 overland camper trailer to pull behind my VS4-10 Phoenix. I mocked it up with ¼" wood staves, cardboard, and shoe goo. Now I have a idea how to make it out of styrene and not have it collapse.

[@hairyoldhippy]

Some have queried sources. Styrene is known elsewhere as 'polystyrene' or 'plasticard', but more specifically 'HIPS', standing for 'high impact polystyrene'. This distinguishes it from 'expanded polystyrene' (also referred to as 'styrene' as in cups or insulation). Cellulose thinner bonds just as well but sets slower than expensive 'liquid poly' type bonding agents so can be useful for alignment. And for mega-cheap, gunwash.

[@mwilson14]

Styrene always was and still is, one of my favorite materials to work with. I specialized in working with miniature scale models for special effects during college. I was a prototype engineer early on in my career after college. AC-125 was the best solvent to use for attaching pieces together. Great to see your video on this subject. I have a few grand worth of styrene still in my inventory that I've been wanting to put to use for years. If I got off my butt and made a vacuum former, I'd be making some cool crap. I also have a nasty scar on my left thumb from cutting a mould out of a vacuum formed piece of styrene.

[@FadedPilotNW]

THAT TOOTH BRUSH IDEA IS BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all the tips, getting started on my Exact look alike engine back and interior as my real car..... THANKS ALOT!!!!!!!!!

[@wakemanedwards3450]

By the way, thanks so much for taking the time to make this tutorial. I've been building on and off for over 40 years and I learned some great new things. I love the styrene cutter (as you know) and the toothbrush idea. Really great stuff, thanks!

[@MrTonypace]

Using an electric toothbrush as a sander is amazing! Thanks, man.

[@rccrawler70]

Excellent video .. and Very good information .. Thanks for sharing

[@VingloLeClerc]

Best styrene video I've seen. Thanks a whole lot for the information on the glues. That alone is worth quite a lot.

[@deandanielson8074]

Thanks for a helpful tutorial on styrene. I'll refer to it again and again. Dean from Minnesota

[@MrsRabbit8]

Thank you so much! Excellent tutorial. Im new to this and soaked it up like a sponge.

[@littlegretchensworkshop7665]

I totally appreciate this video! Thank you for sharing!

[@dbrown5653]

Thanks for the enlightenment....Great video for beginners.

[@carolinehaf21]

Dude thanks so much this is so helpful for a beginner learning to customise and scratch build ♡

[@RecoveryChad]

Nice video sir. Helped alot i am just starting with styrene for my RC projects. I searched a few others this is the best starting video on this topic.

[@JPooserAnimations]

Wow! After watching this video I walk into my hobby store and find exactly the styrene parts you talked about in this video! I didn't even know they had them! Thanks for expanding my mind. I've used styrene before, but I was unaware of the different kinds. My job just got easier

[@vrartist]

Thanks for the great tips! (Really) ... I'm starting into plastic model cars again at age 63 and a lot has changed since I was a kid! Your tips are VERY helpful. ;-)

[@johnfielden395]

I saw that, but wasn't sure if that was the only thing you used for filling. It makes sense to me, it would be much stronger than bondo, unlikely to crack. I'm planning to use it and structural members to strengthen my model too. Thanks, John

[@kairus1]

would the machine called cricut cut threw stryrene ? are there any machines that would cut any shape you would make in a software program like silhoutte studio for instance.?

[@Pelaeztv]

Great tutorial. Where do you get the bull styrene pack?...I've been looking all over, unsuccessfully...😖

[@BrandonSparkman_Maker]

@TheHawkinsScreamer I've also looked at the other comments and could not find a reply to this. Could you give us some insight into this, or even what to search for specifically? GPPS (General-purpose polystyrene), HIPS (High-Impact Polystyrene) or something else? Have run into a brick wall on what to specifically order since there are many types of polystyrene. Thank you

[@nedstar7378]

Very good video with great information. By the way, you also can use thinner with a syringe to glue. Works fine, I use it for years.

[@wolfpack4694]

Excellent tips! Thanks very much!

[@WigWagWorkshop]

Great video, wish you had more out there, you have a great way explaining the process. Very clear and to the point.

[@mailperson]

Here's a tip, if you ever drop your Xacto knife, don't try to catch it.

[@Cocandre]

+mailperson and try to get your feet out of the way

[@genmasaotome3503]

Same thing I would say with a hot testtube...

[@ChimpingBulldog]

And don't work with it in bare feet.

[@BenjWarrant]

Depends on your reaction times...

[@julie7592]

Just a flesh wound...

[@gordontarpley]

Toothbrush sander. Awesome. Thanks for sharing that!

[@rosemaryr.long-morgan9704]

Thanks so much for sharing tips. Would the reinforced styrene as You should us, be strong enough as a frame base for Wright Bros 1/39 scale Bi-plane but sand dune & beach is 1/100 scale (space limitations) then adding mesh & plaster cloth strips over it. Styrene seems less costly than foam board (fornthe maount I would need) & less weight. Any suggestions, thanks. Take care /Rosemary

[@KS-wt9gj]

I’m building that toothbrush right away. Great idea. Thanks.

[@mikel4510]

Decent video. The pliers are "duckbill" pliers, not lineman's pliers. In what hobby build, though, would a 4,000 psi joint needed? That ProWeld actually melts the plastic and it fuses as it the plastic re-solidifies making the joint (when done properly) just as strong as the sheet itself. But there are some great tips, especially the toothbrush sander!

[@GalaxyStranger01]

How do you feel about the Tamiya Extra Thin/Mr. Cement S glue for your application? Are they the same basic substance as the Ambroid? I also like the big 2oz Cyanoacrylate bottles.

[@RCPropaganda]

wow. Great info man. I been trying to get into building some of my own things and this was full of great info.

[@ColonelRebScaleModels]

Awesome tutorial and your work is simply artful...truly amazing...

[@shanehai2699]

Awesome! Very informative and extremely helpful. I have several projects that I've been wanting to do, but didn't really know where to begin. This will make things go more smoothly, I think. Tremendous work on the Soundwave, and even moreso on the ginormous Devastator!

[@w0mblemania]

Excellent video! Thank you. Oh, and I love your electric toothbrush sander!

[@edweston8060]

Love the ten counts. Good video. I'll start using it now I know a lil more

[@gracebyseven]

Excellent introduction video, thanks!

[@sagardhawan8156]

Hi. You mentioned about Plastic Fuse for gluing. As it melts the surface to join (I am guessing like welding does to metal); does it not distort the clean edges while melting???

[@RamusWOR]

Nope, it keeps clean edges.

[@bel_976]

Excellent and informative work, thanks for sharing. I was wondering..what would you suggest using to bond styrene to lexan? I have a radio controlled pick up truck body and the lexan isn't recessed in the bed portion. I was considering cutting out that portion, and building the bed out of styrene, and then bonding it to the original lexan body. Basically building a styrene box and attaching it to the shell. Thanks in advance!

[@93AFD]

Excellent tutorial!

[@jamestruong3]

How strong of a bond will regular superglue create? Will it fall apart very easily or would it stay together, let's say if i drop it from a meter, will it come apart? This is about both 90 degree joints and joints that are face to face. Thanks :)

[@RoyAndrews82]

Where do you buy your Styrene? McMaster-Carr, ePlastics, Tap Plastics..? Where? Just wondering where you buy it from. Because NON of those, sells clear styrene thicker than 0.050".

[@RamusWOR]

Clear styrene is not made thicker than that for retail purchase. It was have to be special ordered. You want clear acrylic.

[@RoyAndrews82]

CustomsByZ Great.. thanks.

[@razorsnipes6033]

And where can you order it from?

[@oliviaa2911]

where do you get this clear styrene from???

[@themodelhobbyist]

Thanks for the video I have that styrene cut myself and haven't fabricated anything yet and model cars are my thing but I gave you a sub for any future videos you may make that will have more helpful tips. 🙂Thomas over at The Model Hobbyist

[@NexWizardcom]

can I use a thin white styrene as LED light Diffuser? example 0.20" or 0.30" thicknes

[@therealr0bert]

Noob question, how hard is styrene? Like resistance to scratching. Obviously a steel knife will do the trick but compared to other plastics is it on the harder or softer side?

[@nickjenks100]

It's just plastic..

[@PickleJuiceDuce]

Valuable tips, Andrew. Nice work breaking down the products and tools you use.

[@SniperEye]

Thanks for this tutorial. This is very helpfull! I found that Easy Cutter and purchased it now. That Swanson Tool isn't available to ship to my country. I will look further for that. Can you please tell me what knive you are using, in fact, what is the brand of that holder?

[@ea1crl]

Gracias por tu ayuda y enseñarnos tus herramientas.

[@MenniePlay]

What did the brand of orange scissor you are using? Thank you.

[@jerseydevil1976]

Great video, very helpful. Any tips on how to cut discs?

[@njcivicwagon1]

Subscribed! Great styrene tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I have to get them tools especially that styrene cutter. Where did you get it? BTW. Devastator is coming out sick man!

[@fygffy3335]

Would love to see more videos like this.

[@josejn2007]

very useful video. Thanks a lot, bro.

[@TheLizander]

Very helpful video! I'm just starting to work on my own models, so I am glad I found your channel. On your devastator, do the joints move? If so, what kind of material/technique did you use?

Damn excellent video, sir ! Ass I am going back to modelling i needed it, Thank you a thousand times.

[@charlesmitchell487]

Do you use Same Stuff from Micro Mark now? How does it compare?

[@JohnAPrescott]

Thanks a ton for this vid! Do you have a preference with Evergreen or Plastruct styrene? Or is it basically the same?

[@jonathonlaird6927]

Hey I'm looking into getting started customizing figures and I was wondering what type of styrene I should look into getting I'm wanting to customize and make a screen accurate movie Grimlock from the leader class version of it. So I was seeing if there was any tips on what styrene to get?

[@RamusWOR]

Multiple different thicknesses, I suggest finding a model train store and checking out the many different types!

[@rockwolfdesigns6384]

Now that Ambroid is discontinued. What do you use?

[@julie7592]

If I wanted to drill some small holes, what type of drill bit should I use?

[@ON8EI]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@IncomCustoms]

Great tutorial, Andrew.! I love working with styrene, mostly for adding small details and such, but like Tony said, you covered pretty much the A- Z (no pun intended) of how to work with styrene!

[@mariomontes1954]

Thank you for this nice video. Please, could you tell me where can I buy by internet the styrene cutting tool you show?

[@royalfolkspark]

👍🏆 How about a link for those styrene, box, I- beam, and 90s.....?

[@MustangFastback]

This is fantastic. I love the toothbrush idea too!

[@javierromero868]

good morning Of the last glues the pro weld, could you indicate the brand please? is to buy it in Spain a greeting Javier

[@robertrodgers6251]

Great work man, that electric toothbrush idea is brilliant!!!

[@helikestoskate]

Thank you this has been very helpful.

[@metroredline]

What grit of sandpaper do you use for your sanding blocks?

[@enensis]

GREAT video my friend. Very informative

[@elbaron51]

great video thanks for the tips. i have tamiya truck and im doing the front bumper what size of styrene plastic should i used and how can i make it. round thanks

[@juganaunt]

My only question now is how do you do bending of styrene. I want to do a iron man out of styrene and a lot of his armor is a slight curve here and there. I see that mix master barrel looks rounded so is that something that you made or bought like that?

[@leester9487]

Thanks for the info. Where did you get your Styrene?

[@Diodorus79]

Amazing!! I never wouldnt known about the styrene cutter if I havent seen this video! Thanks alot Mr. Btwm awesome destructor model! =)

[@Castiblanco90]

Great Video, but I have a quick question as may know when the plastic melts it tends to show some spots on the Styrene what would you recommend to clear them off. Sandpaper?

[@tweetytuube]

great video! where did you get the styrene scissors with the angles and all? got to have that one! :) please respond

[@celsofcoelho]

Where did you get your workbench paper? it's very useful

[@RamusWOR]

100% correct! Lacquer thinner does not do what plastic cement or styrene glue does.

[@johnfielden395]

Hi, great video. I have a question about filler for gaps. What is best to use with styrene? Some people say bondo, but that seems wrong to me. Thanks, John

[@metroredline]

Just found this! I do model railroads and this tutorial really helped me! Where did you get the styrene angle cutter tool from? I can't seem to find that anywhere.

[@Evolution8R]

Cool video. Thanks for all the great tips, now gonna put them to use...hehe

[@peteragyness]

Thanks! This is a super helpful video! Can i ask u to put a list of your tools (names) in the description box please?

[@LandonJP07]

does anyone know what the best thickness of styrene is for 1:64th scale building?

[@hypergarage8595]

Does anybody know what that styrene cutter is actually called or where I can find one? The one with the angles?

[@gilberteaz]

Great video! I'm looking to try styrene to make costumes.

[@mariorma8900]

hi, I've a couple of questions, can u mould the styrene sheet to the desired pattern? I'm trying to build a front spoiler for my Mad Max autoart 1/18. If joining two pieces at 90 gegrees angle, how do I get rid of the sharp corners ie. do I need to use a putty and if so, what kind and lastly what sheet thickness do u suggest I use, cheers

[@Skittahboyz]

What thickness did you use for your devastator?

[@liternum]

How do you cut polilaserprecut styrene sheets and circle figures all in a sheet?

[@jeffrod640]

What is the name of this white board would have some website that I can purchase

[@mailperson]

Why would you use Plastic Fusion over the Pro Weld which is easier to use? Pro Weld is strong enough for any joint.

[@RamusWOR]

+mailperson Not even close. Plastic fusion provide an unbreakable joint and adhesion. Pro Weld is easily broken. Look at it like metal welding..... Pro Weld is like a tack weld, where Plastic fusion is like a final weld.

[@mailperson]

Ok thanks, I may try it, but so far I've never needed so much strength that regular cement didn't work

[@cadderly]

How do you deal with the plastic fusion once you use it. Whenever i use epoxy i find it such a paint to clean the syringe after to recap.

[@RamusWOR]

It will support them fine! As long as you reinforce them just like a real bridge.

[@KapePhoenix]

What is a biggest size of an Evergreen styrene sheet?

[@REVAMPtheindustry]

cool video, makes me wanna get some styrene and make some scale stuff

[@wakemanedwards3450]

Where on earth can I find a styrene angle cutter. I can't seem to find one anywhere nd it looks like a great tool that I really want. Help!

[@RamusWOR]

+Wakeman Edwards micromark.com

[@Jari_Kuusisto]

Try "Easy cutter". I can't find anything by trying "styrene cutter".

[@davidvasquez4745]

where do you buy styrene in bulk ? any website in specific

[@WaschyNumber1]

Very cool video 🖖👍

[@yami6259]

what brand/model is your speed square?

[@johngee5817]

Can you cut Balsa wood strips with that Styrene Cutter?

[@ryanharris2415]

where did you get the tool for cutting styrene your favorite one

[@shiphe]

+Ryan Harris Try something like this www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003UHUZ5U/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item Works well for me

[@blakerogers407]

Where do u get that orange handled cutter from