I am building a model structure that utilizes timber A-frame trusses to support the roof. On some prototype trusses, the timber joints are strengthened with metal connector plates and bolts. I wanted to simulate these metal connector plates on my model. Here is a drawing of a prototype metal connector plate.
I began by drawing each of the connector plates on a scale drawing of the truss with the same 2-D drawing program I used to design the structure (Microsoft Visio.) I made them a medium gray color. Here are the connectors drawn on the truss (not to scale.)
I transferred multiple copies of the connector plates onto another sheet and printed it on a laser printer. Here is a single 11” x 17” sheet of connector plates (not to scale.)
I sprayed both sides of the sheet with multiple coats of Krylon clear matte finish, allowing the paint to soak the paper thoroughly. This process infuses the paper fibers with the acrylic paint medium and turns the paper into a pseudo-plastic material that can be cut and finished just like thin acrylic sheet.
When the sheet was dry, I cut out each connector with scissors. I lightly dusted each connector with various shades of rust and gray colored powdered pigments and sprayed them one last time with UV resistant clear matte finish to fix the colors and seal the cut edges. I glued the connector plates to the wood truss and added metal NBW castings that had been chemically blackened. Here is one of the completed roof trusses ready to install on the structure.
Here is a close-up detail shot:
End results … quick and dirty … and cheap.
Bob Hyman
