General Discussion (Model Railroader)

 this seems like good stuff to work with, but how do you square up the window openings ? it seems the more i file and sand the worse it gets. i figured out how to do the corners ,but the windows have me stumped.

Mark your window with a sharpie pen.  I use a NEW #11 Xacto blade and have a steel ruler on the outside of the mark of my window, so when I cut I cut only on the line.  Use a few cuts, DO NOT try to cut all the way through on one cut.  Mark your cut with the first stroke and slowly go deeper until you are completely through.  Do this for all 4 sides and you get a clean straight window. 

 I don't beleive files or sandpaper do anything good to foamboard.

   I cut the stuff with an Xacto knife and a metal straight edge.  With great care and some spoiled pieces I can get fairly good results.  I did one scratch built building using foam board rafters to obtain a gracefully curved pitched roof.  I probably will stick to cardstock, basswood, and styrene for future projects. 

I use Tichy windows for my scratchbuilds.  As long as your frames are relatively close to square, the frames will cover up the small discrepancies.  In fact, this kind of matches what "prototype" builders do - the frame is a "rough opening" and the window and framing is used to cover up the small stuff.