Well, this has come up a couple of times, and I've been working with it recently, so let's talk plasticard, both sheet and rod.

Suppliers
There are two large suppliers of a variety of plastic product. Originally growing up supporting the architecture industry, these companies have branched out into modelling of all sorts.

Plastruct: http://www.plastruct.com/
Not only do they carry sheet, but they also carry rods, tubes, colored plastic, ladders, truss pieces, etc. 'O Scale' (1:48th) is about the right size for our little men.

Evergreen: http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/
The larger of the two companies, with a bewildering array of materials, now with BLACK styrene sheets!

Cutting Techniques
The time-honored and ancient tradition is the 'score-and-cut' method. This works on sheets, tubes, rods, etc. Instead of trying to cut through the materials, which can cause wavy lines and squashed tubes, simply score along your line, pushing about halfway through the material. Then, gently bend the material, and it will break, cleanly, along your line. Use some fine grit sandpaper to smooth the edge. When cutting a tube, roll the tube under your knife until you've lightly scored around the circumference of the tube, and then bend until it breaks cleanly.

Cutting Tools
Amy times, when you want to make a LOT of cuts (say, making rivets) or make exact cuts (angles, etc.) it can be quite a chore. Thankfully, there is a tool specifically designed for this task. Northwest Shoreline (NWSL) has a line of tools called "The Chopper". It is like a mitre box for cutting styrene, adjustable to a variety of angles.

Their website: www.nwsl.com

The Chopper II: http://www.nwsl.com/Brochure%20Pages/broch...rII%20Tools.htm

NWSL has many other tools, including benders, right angle clamps, etc.

Glue
Finally, let's talk about glue. The best way is good old fashioned styrene glue. Use it sparingly, apply to both pieces, wait a moment, and then hold the pieces together. Remember, styrene cement bonds by 'melting' the plastic, allowing the two pieces to become one piece. Also consider liquid plastic cement, as opposed to the gel, which gives you more control.

When attaching plastic to other materials, white glue or CA 'superglue'. If you have time (and paitence) white glue is frequently a better choice.

That's it for this round, if YOU have plasticard secrets, add them to this thread!

--Brian