Looking for Chipboard recomendations

Leowalt · Post by **Leowalt** » Thu Jan 23, 2020 3:51 am

Hello all,

I hope I'm asking this in the right place. I've seen so many great builds here, that I'm motivated to try one on my own. I'll probably be bothering everyone with more questions along the way, but my first relates to chipboard. I get a steady supply of chipboard from papers I purchase in bulk. It's a medium weight, approximately .055 thick. It definitely seems sturdy enough, more so than a cereal box. Would it be suitable for a putz or should I be picking up something thinner?

I appreciate any input, and I'm really, really enjoying seeing everyone's masterpieces! I haven't seen a bad one yet!

Thanks much! Leo

Post by **Lee** » Thu Jan 23, 2020 6:22 am

That is about the weight that I use. However, if you are cutting windows and doors in a small build it might be more difficult than the cereal box weight. It might be me though, with my ongoing battle with my X-acto knife.

Post by **Lynn** » Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:24 am

Hi Leo,

Its great you will be making houses, you are going to really enjoy it!

When i first started making putz houses i tried all different sizes of chipboard.
I landed on two .022 and .024. I found anything thicker is more difficult to cut.

I would say a ceral box is in between these two. The cereal box is coated so that gives it a bit more stability.

I use the the .022 for smaller houses like Howard's ten cent city houses.

For the larger houses i will use the .024. Keep in mind what you will be using to coat your building with. Cocunut is light weight, but the heavier sands and gravel needs a sturdy chipboard to handle the added weight.

I hope this helps. Ask away with any questions you have we are always here to help!

Clinton · Post by **Clinton** » Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:11 am

Hi Leo, and welcome!

I personally use .030 or 60# weight chipboard myself. Cuts pretty easy,but strong enough to hold up to a plaster coat and sand as well. I have found that 90%+ of all of the vintage houses were made with this thickness. Hope it helps sir. Enjoy!...

Post by **Howard** » Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:10 pm

Hello…ask all the questions you want…we’re a friendly group and always willing to help…

CARDBOARD…here’s what I use…and just about everyone else, too…

SMALL HOUSES…cereal boxes…just remember to scuff up the printed surface with some medium grit sandpaper to break the ink so that glue can get down into the fibers of the cardboard…

MOST HOUSES…ordinary writing tablet backs…I do buy cardboard from Hobby Lobby from time to time in sheets that are about 30” x 40” when I can’t find free writing tablet backs…they usually have two thicknesses…I buy the thinner one which is just about like writing tablet backs…

ROOFS and FENCES…slightly thicker cardboard than writing tablet backs…if you can’t find it…then laminate a layer of cereal box on writing table weight cardboard…

Hope this helps…

Howard…

Leowalt · Post by **Leowalt** » Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:52 pm

Thanks for all the input! I did neglect to mention that I have a Cricut Maker although my dad was an avid RC builder so I do have considerable experience with an X-acto knife. I managed to get an order in on time for some .024 and .030 for delivery by the weekend. I figure I'll give them both a try and see how it goes.

I'm really looking forward to giving this a shot! Thanks again!