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A question about cardstock Scenery and structures
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New member 3 posts bulletbobb New member 3 posts
bulletbobb

I recently bought two packages of cardstock, both from Walmart.

The first is their Astrobrights line, supposedly 65 lb. The sheets are .008" thick.

The second is Pen + Gear (in the yellow package), described as 110 lb Premium Card Stock. It, too, is .008" thick.

As far as I can tell the two are identical.

I bought the 65 lb material because I wanted something lighter than the 110 lb, but that's not what I got. Could someone explain to me just what's going on?

Bob
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Chris Palermo patentwriter Frequent poster 980 posts
Chris Palermo patentwriter

Density

The density of the materials should be different and the force required to tear a sheet should be different, although possibly difficult to detect by hand. For this reason paper in Europe is defined directly by density in units of grams per square meter, abbreviated gsm. Thus, ignore your thickness measurements.
At Large North America Director, 2024-2027 - National Model Railroad Association, Inc.
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David Husman dave1905 MRH Author 9,857 posts
David Husman dave1905

Thicknesses

If you go to an art supply store you can buy Strathmore Board, a fine cardstock, that comes in various "plies".  Each ply is several thousandths of an inch thick and if you are looking for different thicknesses that will give it to you.  Plus one side as a "texture" (good for simulating wood) and the other side is smooth (good for simulating metal).

If you go back into the 1970's in MR or RMC there are numerous articles about using Strathmore board to build buildings and cars.

Dave Husman

Visit my website :  https://wnbranch.com/

Blog index:  Dave Husman Blog Index
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,959 posts
ctxmf74

Strathmore Board?

Hi Dave, Do you know if they still call it strathmore board in the art supply stores? ...DaveB

1990.jpg 
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David Husman dave1905 MRH Author 9,857 posts
David Husman dave1905

Strathmore

As far as I know it is, the technical term is "bristol" board.

Bristol - Strathmore Artist Papers

Dave Husman

Visit my website :  https://wnbranch.com/

Blog index:  Dave Husman Blog Index
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bulletbobb New member 3 posts
bulletbobb

Thanks for the responses

The 110 lb cardstock is listed as 199 grams per meter squared, vs. 165 for the 65 lb. This is hardly any difference, and I note from scoring and bending that they are virtually identical. A very misleading system of measurement!

I'm looking for something that is easier to bend, so clearly I have to follow Dave Husman's suggestion about the Bristol board.

Bob

 
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LensCapOn Regular poster 467 posts
LensCapOn

70's?

"Thu, 2021-05-13 16:33 —  dave1905

IIf you go back into the 1970's in MR or RMC there are numerous articles about using Strathmore board to build buildings and cars.

Dave Husman"

Try going back to the 30's and 40's!  Some stunningly beautiful and famous models were built with it.
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