Author Topic: Looking for help: Brick corners  (Read 2346 times)

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Dave Schneider

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Looking for help: Brick corners
« on: April 13, 2012, 12:54:39 AM »
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I am trying to figure out the best way to make good looking corners in styrene brick sheet. Obviously I need to cut a 45 degree angle on the back. I have tried sanding, files, and a mat cutting knife, but am not happy with the results.

How do you do it? I have a lot of walls to do and am looking for something quick and easy.

Best wishes, Dave
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wazzou

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2012, 01:11:59 AM »
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I typically just place the wall flat on my workbench, barely hanging over the edge and using a large file, not a small modelers file, carefully approximate a 45 degree angle and go to town.  It doesn't have to be perfectly 45 degrees as long as it is close, comes to a nice point, is straight and not ragged, you can strengthen the joint on the inside with blocks of glued styrene.  Keep your eyes close to your work level to increase your chances at accuracy and success.
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Chris333

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2012, 04:38:53 AM »
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You can also try draging a razor blade to get the 45 angle. Might not be better/worse though.  :tommann:

sirenwerks

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2012, 12:54:44 AM »
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I've always toyed with the idea of getting a benchtop circular tile saw -http://www.qualitydist.net/skl-3540-02.html
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Sokramiketes

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2012, 08:23:00 AM »
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I am trying to figure out the best way to make good looking corners in styrene brick sheet. Obviously I need to cut a 45 degree angle on the back. I have tried sanding, files, and a mat cutting knife, but am not happy with the results.

How do you do it? I have a lot of walls to do and am looking for something quick and easy.

Best wishes, Dave

Best way is to cut out and interlock the bricks at the corners and avoid the whole 45degree thing. 

CoalPorter

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2012, 12:46:59 AM »
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Is it worth buying a small table belt sander with an adjustable table?

I have done 45 angles by hand, but i have a steady hand and a good eye.
You can also make the angles less than 45 and use an interior block to glue
the corner together. Then glue with MEK type solvent and really push everything
together when the parts start to "melt".
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pnolan48

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2012, 09:36:53 PM »
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Best way is to cut out and interlock the bricks at the corners and avoid the whole 45degree thing.

Absolutely agree, but it is rather labor intensive, and doesn't always work when material thicknesses don't match within a reasonable (i.e., sandable) measure. Because of the size, I can usually cut down with a #11 blade on both sides, then flick the excess out. I've done it only twice, on two story buildings.

I usually used a 10-inch disk sander on my radial arm saw for 45 degree sandings, rather than a belt sander.  It's a little easier to maintain a plumb joint. Actually I made them sightly more acute, and reinforced the inside, as suggested above.

Some buildings have corners that protrude a bit from the wall. I've used thin vertical strips, so I wasted less material when I didn't get the angles plumb and had to start over.


DKS

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2012, 08:36:39 PM »
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My approach is to use sheet material that is roughly as thick as a brick is deep. Along the edges I notch it at each mortar line. Then I butt the corners together such that the more visible wall overlaps the mating wall. The notches simulate mortar lines. Most people don't notice that the first column of bricks on the side wall are all half-bricks. Might not work under all circumstances, naturally. And of course fussier fellows will want to interlock the bricks, which is a serious PITA. Must weigh the work involved with the payoff.

FWIW, this is the technique I use for the Z scale structure kits from TownBuilder; it's most visible (or not) in the tall brown structure, second from the left:

« Last Edit: May 07, 2012, 08:40:25 PM by David K. Smith »

Dave Schneider

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Re: Looking for help: Brick corners
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2012, 09:15:38 PM »
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Thanks for the responses everybody. I was probably over-thinking this issue, but was curious if people had any tricks to share. David, I will give your approach a try. That looks like a good compromise. I was successful in using a large flat file to camber the corners but it leaves a pretty sharp corner. I am not big into macro photography and my eyesight keeps getting worse so I am not sure what I am worrying about!

Best wishes, Dave
If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.