How heavy should the cardstock be?

**SuperE** · #1 10-23-2014, 09:21 AM

Hi guys. I am new to both this sight and paper models. i plan on making the disneyland castle for my wife. It is fairly large and Im just wondering if 67lb cardstock would be good? the page instructions say that it can be built with plane old paper but i would like it to be sturdier than that. I am having a office supply store print it out. Thanks for your time and help answering my question!

**modelperry** · #2 10-23-2014, 09:45 AM

67 lb card stock is what I usually use myself. I only use regular paper for parts that need to be rolled, and 110 lb cardstock for stuff that really needs some rigidity.

I think you would be fine with the 67 lb card.

Regards,

greg

**Miles Linnabery** · #3 10-23-2014, 09:49 AM

Dear SuperE:
There are several Disney Castles on the web. I built one years ago from the Site 42 in Germany I used 67 Pound Card Stock wished that I had Used 110# I have printed and partly built another from the Disney site and used 110# cardstock and think that will work better. Another help would be to work in sub sections and then use thin super glue to flood the inside of the structure to add strength, warning this size of project will need a lot of super glue or just do the smaller spires that stick up.
Good Luck,
Miles

**Darwin** · #4 10-23-2014, 10:36 AM

I believe it would be ok to go with 67 lb stock, but you might want to consider backing the larger wall sections with 1mm (or thicker, depending on size of model) cardboard. My experience is that if you need the rigidity, cardboard backing is much more effective than heavier weight cardstock.

**SCEtoAUX** · #5 10-23-2014, 10:58 AM

I built the Sleeping Beauty Castle from The Haunted Experience many years ago and used 110lb cardstock. Worked out good.

Some cheap chains were used on the drawbridge.

**SuperE** · #6 10-23-2014, 12:40 PM

cool thanks! that is the one that I plan on making. I have a little model building experience but none with paper. Do you think this model is too difficult for a beginner?

**SCEtoAUX** · #7 10-23-2014, 01:30 PM

Nope, the instructions are very good.

Take your time, dry fit each part before gluing. Make sure you understand how the glue tabs and glue surfaces relate to each other before applying glue. Use the glue sparingly. It is tempting sometimes to slather on the glue but that will just cause more problems. Allow the glue to dry before moving on. Usually a count of 20 is enough to ensure a good glue bond between parts.

**SuperE** · #8 10-23-2014, 01:53 PM

okay thank you for your help

**MoffKalast** · #9 10-29-2014, 02:16 PM

Just one question, how would lb translate to g/m^2? Google isnt being helpfull at all...
Anyway I use 200g card for just about everything and it seems to work out quite well for the most part.

**SCEtoAUX** · #10 10-29-2014, 02:26 PM

200 gsm (g/m^2) is about the same as 110lb.

Here is a good source for help with cardstock:
Cardstock Property Tables and Terms