Making my model I often use thin paper rolls to create handles, poles, stakes, gun barrels and other elements so I decided to make a little tutorial on how I make them. Below you can some examples of potential use of such paper rolls, and btw some models that lay on my workbench for some time waiting for a better times :).

I used quite a lot of rolls making the Veuglaire model and the gunners tools on the first photo. The hammer is made of two such rolls glued together perpendicularly with proper textured caps. The sponge pole is another with the sponge itself being a roll upon a roll. The powder chamber handles here are also rolled although could be as well just “folded to three”. Another roll here (although not visible) is the wheel axle.

Below you’ll find photos of three more models I used paper rolls with. First is an auto-cannon I made some year ago trying to make equipment for a military checkpoint its barell is a paper roll approx 1mm thick. Never had the time to texture it, but I keep it somewhere visible not to forget about it. (Probably when I will finally get to it I will redesign it anyway.)
On another photo paper rolls are used to support a primitive plank fence. It is a first photo of a set of pre industrial era field and maedow fences and walls I’m working on now. The set is actually almost ready, and I will post some more photos and info soon.
In the last model the paper rolls are used for lamppost and cantilevers (obviously). I made this victorian era gaslight lamp today with no drawing and design (that is why it is a bit crooked and uneven). I will probably make it into a design, as I like the effect pretty much and following the success of Aspasia Achsenberg in Papercuts I intend to make some more steampunk/victorian/gothic stuff.

Going back to paper rolls, most elements I used paper rolls for I could probably make of wire, toothpicks or cocktail sticks, but there are several reasons I prefer to make posts and barrels of paper.

First is my paper purism. I like to make my models of paper entirely or at least as far I can make it of paper. There are rational reasons to it. PVA glue bonds differently with different materials. Making models of paper only ensures the bond is even on both glued surfaces. Furthermore I’ve found out that it is easier (for me at least) to destroy by accident a paper model containing rigid non paper components, while smashed 100% paper models can sometimes be straightened up or fixed.

The second thing about paper rolls is that I can always make them when I need them to a diameter I need. I’m usually to lazy to look for wire or sticks to suit my needs – especially when designing and testing models, when I’m  not sure what will I actually need.

Finally printed, textured elements IMHO  look better with printed textured models. Elements made of different materials even painted to suit the colour palette of the model will always look like an alien component that is somehow out of of the set. Of course you can wrap a wire or toothpick with printed texture, and sometimes I do that for stakes or poles 3-4mm thick. For small diameters (below 2,5 mm) it not as easy as it seems, and for diameters larger than 4-5 mm I prefer to make a hollow paper pipe and don’t need a tight roll at all.