Looking for information

[Anonymous]

While reading my March MR I was intrigued by the article on building your own passenger cars using core kits ( pg 56 ) . What I was asking about is this. In the article the author uses products that he identifies as 'ABS Plastic', 'styrene', and has one reference to 'acrylics'. Are these all essentially the same material generically known as 'plastic', or are there substantial differences? And where then does a 'resin kit' fit in? Thanks for any information, or a good definitive resource to clarify the different products. Scratchbuilding or kitbashing is a part of this hobby I want to enjoy more, so I'm looking to become more knowledgable. [:)]

Dane

[rrinker]

There are MANY MANY types of chemicals grouped together under the name 'plastic'. Each has its own characteristics in regards to things like hardness, flexibility, heat resistance, etc. The use generally determines exactly which specific material to use - for example, you wouldn't want to use a hard styrene plastic for handrails, they would snap off if you handled them. Instead, they are made out of one of the various flexible 'engineering plastics' so they have some give when you handle the loco.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

ABS is a form of styrene, though what distinguishes it from the regular stuff companies like Evergreen make is beyond me. I do know that ABS and regular styrene both bond with liquid cement.

[BRVRR]

dbean,
My knowledge of 'plastics' is limited, but here is what I know.
ABS plastics are generally harder and have an oily feel to me. Many auto parts and plumbing are made of ABS. Most take special adheasives to bond properly. I have had difficulty getting paint to stick to them.
Styrene, comes in many hardnesses and thichnesses. The evergreen styrene products are relatively soft and easy to use. They bond quickly and permanently with any of the liquid plastic cements.
Resins are beyond my ken. I have a couple of old cars made of resin. The castings seem to be heavier/thicker and detail parts have to be attached with CA. I have never built a resin kit, but in my readings, authors seem to fixate on repeatedly washing the parts or sealing them with paint to relieve the 'oily' feeling.
Acrylics are 'plastics' but formulated differently. They tend to be harder than styrene and harder to cut. My use has been limited to window glazing. Most of the platic liquid cements will bond acrylics to styrene, but I think this is the result of the melted styrene, not a true bonding.
I do very little 'scratch' building, but I do make details for building and rolling stock. I prefere to use styrene plastic, mostly Evergreen Products, for these projects. It bonds well, takes paint readily and is easy to cut and bend.
Someone more knowledgable can expand on all of this and correct me where I am wrong, but my experiences will give you a start.

[Anonymous]

If I recall correctly, the white Evergreen plastic is styrene, the gray Plastruct stuff is ABS. Liquid cement such as Testors will work on styrene, actually melting the plastic so it bonds together. It will not work on ABS, but Plastruct has its own liquid cement that will work or both types. Each has its own use, although now that Evergreen has styrene structural shapes I do prefer them because they are finer.

Bob Boudreau