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How to Make HO Scale Figures

There are a variety of HO scale figures available commercially, but sometimes they just won't do. They might be in the wrong position or wearing clothes that don't fit the time frame you are modeling, or maybe you just want to represent a special profession. The small size makes this difficult. An HO scale large adult male will be only 21 mm. But if you have reasonable sculpting skills, simple tools, and a great deal of patience, you should be able to create the figures you want.

Things You'll Need

Wire twist ties
Wire cutters
Tweezers
Craft sticks
Poster tack
Cyanoacrylate glue
Two part water-based modeling putty
Water
Straight pins
Toothpicks
Fish hooks

Instructions

- 1
  Strip the paper from several twist ties and remove the wire.
- 2
  Bend two twist ties into "V" shapes and interlock them with a tight twist forming an "X." The crux of the "X" will be the point where the hips meet the torso.
- 3
  Twist the upper part into an extended torso, threading a third wire into the twist as you go, leaving the top exposed.
- 4
  Bend the two side wires to form shoulders and arms including elbow joints. Roll a small part of the wires into nubs for hands and clip off excess.
- 5
  Roll the top wire into a tiny ball for the head.
- 6
  Pinch off two equal parts of the sculpting putty and roll them together into a tube and allow a few minutes for the putty to become firm enough to mold.
- 7
  Secure the armature to a craft stick with a small amount of poster tack or Cyanoacrylate glue.
- 8
  Wrap the wire armature with small amounts of putty, gradually forming the basic features of the figure.
- 9
  Wet the end of a toothpick and use it to press details into the figure. Straight pins can be useful to shape sharp points and fish hooks with the tip removed can be used to make rounded forms.
- 10
  Allow the figure to cure for at least 48 hours before priming and painting.

Model Railroads