Coroplast scale buildings

[Supermario]

As many may know I've been posting pictures of the scale buildings I've made on my construction site thread. I figured it was time to share here in this section so all could see and maybe get a few ideas and inspiration from it.
The material of choice is Coroplast which is what I like to call, plastic cardboard. Available from Home Depot in 4'X8' sheets. Light but strong, easy to cut , weather proof, cheap.
So with glue gun in hand , utility knife and some wood strips from a arts n crafts store, the building began

First building was the 2 bay garage.























And a video tour..... http://youtu.be/ZyNf_ni-qqo

[Supermario]

Next up to build was a house. I want to make a few homes to create a small neighbourhood. Problem was, although I plan on leaving these buildings outdoors for the summer I still need to bring in the house for winter and all these buildings will take a lot of space. The other thing is wanting to be able to bring my buildings to our club RC shows that we travel to and once again, space is an issue.
So, thanks to this Coroplast boards I had an idea about how to make a building that could be assembled and then disassembled and stored flat.

All started like this....








All one piece and became this....











The corner piece I made using same material and a glue gun to secure the top corner where the panels meet.





Making the front steps....









And a video showing ease of assembly....... http://youtu.be/XvXt94oCL5Q

[Supermario]

Latest building is a 3 storey, started as a apartment but turned into a office building. My RC trucking company needs a head office right?

Just like the house, one piece and using 1/8 wooden dowels to secure to the base. Still easy to assemble, just a little more awkward than the house but it is much larger. Still lots to do but figured I'd share where it's at right now.
I used the same type of fabric that covers the garage but I didn't want it to look the same color so I gave it a skim paint job with some of that textured brown paint in a spray can. I'm ok with the results for now..... Worst case scenario, it's only spray adhesive holding it on and can probably peel off and try something else if need be.

Anyway, here it is with all its freaking windows! no idea why I put so many I have to individually size and cut each and every window trim to fit. Oh well, labour of love anyway.

[up9018]

That is a pretty cool idea. Stuff is way lighter than plywood and would make some great buildings to move to a show.

[blitzk]

They look great Mario. You did a fantastic job!!!

[Stuff]

wow that looks super easy!

[Supermario]

Originally Posted by up9018

That is a pretty cool idea. Stuff is way lighter than plywood and would make some great buildings to move to a show.

Yes. Light but fairly strong and no dust or special tooling to worry about.

Originally Posted by blitzk

They look great Mario. You did a fantastic job!!!

Thanks bud, appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Stuff

wow that looks super easy!

I'm no expert carpenter but this was super easy to work with and build. Made the house in a couple nights.
Haven't done any wind tests but confident it's snug on the dowels and handle a good breeze..... Now the open spaces of Estevan on the other hand...not sure. Besides, who plays in 40mph winds anyway.

[Supermario]

The only tricky part is cutting the fold points. Because of the size of building I had to use the 8' length of the sheet, same direction the ribs run to make it all one piece. Could build in sections for larger stuff but I like the solid feel of one continuous piece.
Anyway, this all means the fold cuts are across the grain of the sheet. So I mark the distance I want, then make a mark 5mm on each side of that line.carefully cut through just one layer and then trim each individual rib off. After you cut a few and have something to grab onto its easy going. Pulling up on the scrap piece as you just touch with a knife and it cuts clean off. Trick is to get as close to the outer layer so it will fold easy but not cut through the outer layer.

I didn't take the time to cut close in these pics And the fold is a little stubborn till I trimmed. Smaller buildings none of this is an issue as following the ribs makes life easy like the stairs were to make.

[Supermario]

Office building is pretty much done except for front steps and interior lighting. Roof is on, window trim done, so I figured.....time for the first family photo!

[mcl fabrication]

Real nice work Mario. And throw a facer and soffit on the little gray house.

[Bo Wallen]

Great high-rise Mr Builder Who are you going to handcuff....

[Supermario]

Originally Posted by mcl fabrication

Real nice work Mario. And throw a facer and soffit on the little gray house.

Thank you, glad you like I plan on putting facer but waiting for arts n crafts store to get some more basswood in stock! It seems I've cleaned them out lately.

Originally Posted by Bo Wallen

Great high-rise Mr Builder Who are you going to handcuff....

Something tells me I'm going to have a hard time explaining pink plastic hand cuffs so I'll just say..... Didn't name our RC company S&M for nothing!

Always check pictures before posting

[Supermario]

Office building gets remote controlled lights using a IR system.
All self contained in the roof and still maintains a flat pack storage when disassembled.

[RCP57]

You need to make some shadows of people doing "stuff" in the widows. You know, after hours paperwork...lol Bo needs entertainment when he's camping in your backyard this summer.

[Bo Wallen]

Originally Posted by RCP57

You need to make some shadows of people doing "stuff" in the widows. You know, after hours paperwork...lol Bo needs entertainment when he's camping in your backyard this summer.

Yeah i sure do.......and i like red velvet curtains too..........

[NYHowie]

awesome builds, great idea!

[bigford]

reg you going to make the S&M party in august ??

[Bo Wallen]

I think he must do............it's going to be gnarly good

[Supermario]

Originally Posted by RCP57

You need to make some shadows of people doing "stuff" in the widows. You know, after hours paperwork...lol Bo needs entertainment when he's camping in your backyard this summer.

That's a great idea! Not sure if I can pull it off but definitely going to give it a try.

im so excited the east boys are coming, sure would be nice if some friends from the west could make it.

[Supermario]

Originally Posted by NYHowie

awesome builds, great idea!

Thanks NYhowie I appreciate it.