Balsa alternative?

Tabnabs

I am looking to scratch build some scale buildings and have been advised not to use balsa wood as it soaks up stain or paint, is too flexible and would need backing and the surface is not especially suited to fine cutting or detailing.

So, can anyone recommend a suitable alternative? In the States they have something called basewood, but this I understand is almost impossible to get in Europe? Can anyone help me with this problem?

The type of thing I want to build

looksee

Foamboard would be one possibility, its probably the most usual material for building model structures. You cut it with a very sharp scalpel (and lots of spare blades), but you can make very good structures. Another possibility would be thin mdf - you can get it as thin as 2ml.

http://www.specialistcrafts.ie/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=m107

This is Specialist Crafts in Galway but you can buy foamboard at any good art shop.

Tabnabs

Very interesting, many thanks. Do you know if scoring the face will produce plank/clapboard effect?

looksee

Yes, I think you can, but it would need a bit of practise. Very often though the construction material is faced with a plastic or paper or similar material with the pattern embossed/debossed on it. It depends a bit on the scale you are working at.

Try googling something like 'model making brick effects'. I know you are not looking for brick, but it will bring you to the right area, mostly railway modeling.

This material might be of interest https://slatersplastikard.com/plastikard.php

Tabnabs

I hadn't come across that site, many thanks Looksee