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.

[@VingloLeClerc]

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

[@WigWagWorkshop]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!!!!!!!!!

[@carolinehaf21]

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

[@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

[@ColonelRebScaleModels]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@Diodorus79]

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

[@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. ;-)

[@MustangFastback]

This is fantastic. I love the toothbrush idea too!

[@w0mblemania]

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

[@ON8EI]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@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_]

^

[@RCPropaganda]

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

[@gracebyseven]

Excellent introduction video, thanks!

[@enensis]

GREAT video my friend. Very informative

[@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.

[@wolfpack4694]

Excellent tips! Thanks very much!

[@littlegretchensworkshop7665]

I totally appreciate this video! Thank you for sharing!

[@edweston8060]

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

[@helikestoskate]

Thank you this has been very helpful.

[@dbrown5653]

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

[@gordontarpley]

Toothbrush sander. Awesome. Thanks for sharing that!

[@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.

[@93AFD]

Excellent tutorial!

[@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...

[@maxwest6595]

And don't work with it in bare feet.

[@BenjWarrant]

Depends on your reaction times...

[@julie7592]

Just a flesh wound...

[@MrTonypace]

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

[@rccrawler70]

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

[@ea1crl]

Gracias por tu ayuda y enseñarnos tus herramientas.

[@josejn2007]

very useful video. Thanks a lot, bro.

[@fygffy3335]

Would love to see more videos like this.

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

[@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.

[@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

[@PaintPlastic]

Great tutorial, subbed.

[@dukelemans9732]

thanks a lot for the video! great info!

[@KS-wt9gj]

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

[@cruzbrewski]

Thx, I learned a few things. Dope!

[@WaschyNumber1]

Very cool video 🖖👍

[@Evolution8R]

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

[@NanoBattle]

Great video Z. You went over pretty much damn everything. lol

[@TheDeadrumors]

thanks for the tips i love your customs

[@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

[@gilberteaz]

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

[@jps57550]

thanks for this tutorial ^^

[@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!

[@RoseofRubicon]

thank you for making this vid

[@RamusWOR]

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

[@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.

[@PickleJuiceDuce]

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

[@REVAMPtheindustry]

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

[@metroredline]

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

[@MiniWarzone]

Cool stuff :-)

[@the-xm2qi]

hey you got my same toothbrush in different color! that's pretty good

[@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!

[@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.

[@RamusWOR]

I find something that I can use to trace around and then use and VERY sharp exacto blade.

[@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?

[@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.?

[@JohnAPrescott]

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

[@robertrodgers6251]

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

[@kairus1]

Dude your awsome

[@mariomontes1954]

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

[@jerseydevil1976]

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

[@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?

[@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!

[@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

[@RamusWOR]

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

[@soulshower]

😆 Watching this as I ironically just found my original G1 Transformers collection a few days ago. Devastator, Tripticon, Metroplex...

[@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!

[@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?

[@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

[@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?

[@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

[@NexWizardcom]

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

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@rredbeak]

Great video TY,learnt a LOT. few questions tho. Whats the green building board youre using called and i assume its cut / glue resistant ? Is plastic 1/24 car model plastics stryene also please ?? If not can i use stryene sheeting to modify car model kits ? TY Robby N..

[@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

[@killerskulldog]

How would you make a arc stay with styrene, like a circular shape

[@hypergarage8595]

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

[@julie7592]

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

[@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

[@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?

[@MenniePlay]

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

[@liternum]

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

[@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.

[@celsofcoelho]

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

[@leester9487]

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

[@LandonJP07]

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

[@tweetytuube]

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

[@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

[@RamusWOR]

Steve M...... video works fine for me and several other friends. Problem is on your end.

[@shiphe]

Steve have you tried a different browser? Some youtube vids have sound that only plays on my Opera, not Chrome/Firefox. Go figure :^/

[@PrimalEdge]

+CustomsByZ I'm watching on Chrome right now, perfect. great tutorial BTW