Model Matchstick

Model Matchsticks – My model begins! After receiving my new package I thought it was time to start building. This is something I have not done since I was a kid and so with trembling hands and a knife at the ready (just joking) I started!

About an hour into the process I had about 100 matches laid out. This is gonna take a long time to build this model matchstick tram and as you can see in the photo I am using a thin plastick sheet instead of the cardboard insert supplied with the package.

Why am I using the plastic? Well firstly it means I can use the cardboard again for another model. I don’t have to buy it again I just need to buy the matches thereby saving money and secondly the card gets trapped in between the matches and I sort of think this is cheating a bit. The plastic peals of really easily and you can do the other side without problems.

As you can see from the second photo, I have now finished both sides of the base of the tram. About 20 hours work all together and I think about 500 matches.

What I like about model matchstick making is that you can actually do what you want with the design and be artistic and place the matches where you want. If they don’t quite fit, it’s OK you can just cut them a bit to make them fit.

Here is a video of one guy that built his own football stadium out of matches. Hmmm. I wonder if I could build a house for myself?

For those of you who are serious about modeling, you may want to check out this great book to help you get started.

Keep visiting me as often as you can as I show you my progress with my Model Matchstick

Technorati Tags: Model Matchstick

My New Matchstick Kits

My New Matchstick kits has finally arrived from Australia after the slow post took about 6 weeks for it to arrive.

My matchstick kit will hopefully grow over the coming weeks and I will document my journey in building this model steam tram.

Here is a picture of the matchstick kit box as it arrived.

First of all I opened the box and indeed there were a lot of matches and two small tubes of glue. There can hardly be enough glue! I guess I will have to buy more, but it is not expensive so no problem. I also went to the hardware show and bought some sandpaper and some acetate sheeting (I will show you how I use that in my matchstick kit another time. I also bought a knife, some nail cutters and a pair of tweezers.

Upon opening the box and pulling out the contents I discovered the whole plan of the steam tram in cardboard and although it was slightly damaged, it was not too bad. I can still use it.

The idea is that I lay the matches on the card to follow the shape and then turn it over and do the opposite side. However I have decided not to use the cardboard, which will make it a bit more challenging, but hopefully it will all be OK.

Over the next few days I will document my journey and show you my results. This is not a fast hobby so do not expect it to be completed by next week! It takes hours.

If you want to buy your own model then this book may help you as you come up with new designs.

Join me in my journey and see if you can make you own matchstick kits.

Technorati Tags: Matchstick kits, Model Making