Coolplastic Banner
Coolplastic Banner
Coolplastic Banner
Home Browse gallery Articles Forums Blogs Supporters FAQ Shop Enter search string...
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
So, how do we start? The answer is simple and straightforward: Plastruct: This product is
widely available in the US and I believe you can get it or something like it in other countries in
Europe. They make a wide range of plastic products for architects, hobbyists and modelers.
The number of item we need is: 91103. They are hard white plastic sheets, each one just
slightly thinner that a GW Empire plastic banner.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 3/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage I
First, we need to determine the width and the length of the future banner. That is fairly easy
– I simply measure how wide the current plastic Empire banner is and make sure the new
banner is no wider. It can be longer, or shorter, just keep in mind, that just like with the
current plastic banner from the command sprue, the standard bearer will have to be ranked
up in a unit. So, while it can be different in shape and length, it should not be too different,
both for practical and for aesthetical reasons.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 4/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage II
Using the finest Sharpie marker, draw the shape of the future banner on the plastic sheet. Do
not worry about smudging – this is what Sharpie markers are famous for – they dry nearly
instantly. And the marker traces will later be covered by paint anyway. I was impressed by
the new Bretonnian banner and decided that an Empire unit could benefit from something
similar, so I opted for a threestreamer baner.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 5/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage III
Using a hobby knife carefully cut out the shape of the banner. Steel ruler is your friend – your
cuts will be sharp and precise.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 6/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 7/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage IV
I also snip off the edges on the three streamers, in order to make the finish more rounded
and smooth than just square endings.
Stage V
Next is probably the trickiest part of the process. I use my kitchen stove as a source of heat
and holding the banner in homemade grips, hold it about 56 inches over the flame. You have
to observe it very closely, lest it just melts into the flame. You will need to experiment with
the distance and timing, but you will see, that the edges of the banner, closest to the flame
will start trembling slightly and paradoxically, they will curl slightly upwards in the first fraction
of the second, before bending down. This is the moment. Remove the banner and gently
(carefully, the edges can be hot) bend it, into the desired shape. Just keep in mind that the
shaft side of the banner should remain as flat and as straight as possible for later fixing it to
the shaft.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 8/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage VI
We have a decently shaped banner at this point and need to attach it to the banner shaft. I
use Plastruct plastic rods, which are almost the same size as the plastic Empire banner hoist
parts attached to the shaft from the sprue. Using a modeling knife, I cut off three pieces of
the same length as the banner hoist parts from the box.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 9/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage VII
Using the same Sharpie marker, I mark the center of each piece on both ends, so that I
would not have to drill blindly.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 10/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage VIII
I drill through all three pieces, one by one, making sure to drill halfway through each, before
switching and starting from the other end. This way, the hole will be centered, since the
center was marked on both ends. Even if there is a slight shift in direction inside, it will be
insignificant. The drill should be about the same size in circumference, or just slightly larger
than the brass wire that will later serve as the banner shaft.
Stage IX
I then just glue the three pieces to the shaft edge of the banner, so it looks much like the
standard GW banner. As you can see, I use Testors plastic cement, which is more than
adequate for the job; it melts and fuses the plastic together, creating a very strong bond. Just
like with any gluing, make sure that when you glue two parts of unequal size and weight,
even something as light as plastic pieces, always handle your job by the heaviest piece and
glue all the others to it.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 11/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage X
While the glue has not yet set, align the three hoist pieces by inserting a brass wire through
them and making sure they line up. This is why it was important to have this edge as straight
and as flat as possible – if it curved too much during heating, it would be next to impossible to
align them. The brass wire will also serve as the banner shaft.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 12/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Stage XI
At this point I use a fine file and file around the streamer edges, which I had snipped off
previously. This will ensure smooth rounded edges, which will be more pleasing to the eye
and will be easier to paint, since the paint rubs off easier on sharp edges.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 13/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Conclusion
At this point the banner is essentially ready. Here you can see the different kinds of plastic
banners that can be made using this method. As you can see, the bottom two banners have
not yet been finished and need to be made attachable to the shaft.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 14/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
For more modeling projects, visit my website: Imperial Forge
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Contact Us | The Legion
Copyright © 20012018 CMON Inc.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 15/16
25/9/2018 CoolMiniOrNot Forums
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5
Copyright © 2018 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
-->
http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1251makingplasticbanners 16/16