Downscaling Murph's Models designs?

[umtutsut]

Gang,

While this doesn't deal with a specific build, hope it's allowable. Is it possible to induce fit problems between parts when downscaling an aircraft kit? The problems I've had have been with several of Aaron's aircraft, but maybe would apply to others.

When downscaling, I always print with the same paper and quality settings and same reduced percentage. I usually print single pages. It's hard to understand why any individual parts would come out mismatched using this technique, but I just screwed the pooch on my second plane in a row.

Anyone else have this problem? Is it even a problem...or my hamhanded building skills? 🤔

Les (The Voice of Authority)/

[rickstef]

Try a thinner paper the next aircraft you downsize

keeping the same thickness paper for the 100% build will induce errors, due to paper thickness, not build technique.
You can burnish the seams(in some places maybe not) that will somewhat reduce the thickness.

Say you use 67 lb paper, for the 100% build, a small build will require thinner paper, say 44 or 32 lb paper, they are out there.

[Texman]

First, what program are you using to reduce/print? If using acrobat, on each page, go to the lower left corner and verify each page is the same size.

Let us know what you find out. And we can go from there.

I have downsized his models, and not had a problem. I use Photoshop CS2.

[umtutsut]

Ray,
Never thought of the "page size" issue in Acrobat. I'll check with the next model.

Thanx!

Les (The Voice of Authority)

[Butelczynski]

I reduce Aarons models as a standard practice and fit of parts becomes better.My printing copy is usually near 75% of original model and currently I use 65Lb/176 gm2 cardstock.

I started this practice with old Maly models.Those were all hand drawn,some with really poor fit and scaling them down always made them fit together much,much better.


This might or might not make a difference-I cut and glue parts on inside of the outer line.It's getting pretty hard for me to see them but goal and idea is still there.

[dhanners]

Page size is important as some copiers have a tendency to reduce differently along the horizontal axis and vertical axis. That's why I greatly appreciate it when designers stick vertical and horizontal measurement bars on their pages. I can measure each and make sure everything reduced properly.