apauling Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 A Paper Propeller Back in 2009 when Wingnutwings released their first kits I was inspired to build their LVG C.VI kit. At the time I puzzled how to re-create the multi-colored laminated wood propeller. Keeping the lamination lines straight when viewed from the side makes painting them very difficult. Eventually I decided to laminate different colored sheets of wood together and carve my own prop. This worked at recreating the lamination pattern but I was never really satisfied with this method. When viewed up close the grain pattern of the wood looks out of scale and creating the very thin pieces of wood needed involves a lot of work with the planer. (a tool that a lot of modelers probably don't have). Eight years later I have decided to try again for my build of the Wingnutwings Roland D.VI.Reasoning that a sheet of paper is like a very thin piece of veneer I decided to make my laminations out of colored paper. I got some brown and tan colored paper at the craft store and cut it into 1†by 4†strips. The paper I used took three strips to build up the thickness of one of the seven layers. 21 strips stacked up makes the full thickness of the prop in 1/32nd scale. Next I ran a bead of super glue down the center of each strip and quickly stacked them up on the pad of a wood clamp. I tightened the clamp until the layers were nicely squished together and let it cure overnight. (there is a small fire hazard with super glue and organic matter you might want to leave the clamp outside while the glue cures). I traced the kit propeller onto the top of the paper stack and drilled a hole for the propeller shaft. Next I cut along the outline with a scroll saw.http: Next I carved the taper into the blank. The stack of paper will carve a lot like wood so cut from the hub toward the tip. Think about the pressure of the tool pushing the layers together as you cut. After you have the taper established, carve the twist into the blades. If the paper starts to shred, switch blades or use a little thin super glue to solidify the area you are working on. The paper can be filed and sanded like wood but pay attention to the grain so that you don't pull the laminations apart or tear out chunks of paper between the glue lines. I sealed the prop with Tamiya clear tinted with a little clear orange. top: a basswood prop I made back in 2009 bottom: a new paper propeller rafju, Rick Griewski, 109 and 29 others 32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Awesome looking prop Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dora9 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Nicely done! Love the way you did it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 ....I ......LIKE IT!!! Almost the same way the real thing got made..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Absolutely phenomenal work! Thank you for sharing. Cheers M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Roger Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 That is amazing, I also tried the wood method on a 1/48 D.VIII and it came out okay, but this method looks much more like the real deal. I will try this one on my next WWI model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Owens Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Wow! Scale laminations!! I'll wager it'll look even more impressive when mounted on the model... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I saw this on Facebook, and wondered how I could share it here. Thanks for posting it, Paul. It really is amazing stuff. Kev williamj and Big Texan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVbob Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 My first post since joining LSP.......... Super cool way to fab a laminated propeller. It's the best looking prop I've seen in any scale. I'm heading to the craft store tomorrow morning for paper. Bob Girlscanplay2 and Jolly Roger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girlscanplay2 Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Beautiful!!! Teresa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Wow, I think I really need to try this! It looks wonderful Joel_W and CANicoll 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul Budzik Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Wonderful idea! I love to see modelers use materials other than plastic and paper is a great material. Paul Joel_W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Great job! Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandokan Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Wow! Fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgem37 Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Smart work. Nice problem-solving. Thinking outside of the box to solve a problem is rewarding. Good show. Sincerely, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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