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Hello everyone
We're (the family) practicing our PM by making boxes, like those cardboard ones found in nursery schools. Daughter loves to use them to build things, so we figured they'd be the best thing to practice PM on. And for practicing painting techniques.
Problem though, we can't seem to find a good way to make strong corners or even 2-joints. We've masking taped two carboad pieces (thin ones) together at angle. We've tried overlapping long way and around the blocks. We've done similar with corners (3-way corners). And with lids, btw.
Any suggestions on how to make these more secure and strong, please?
Kind regards from a family that's loving playing in goopy projects!
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I'm not exactly sure what kind of boxes you mean. (I have a dog, cats, no kids). Are they closed on all 6 sides, like building blocks? And what size are they?
My next question is, are you cutting all the walls separately? If so, I think it would be better if you cut a single cardboard strip one box wide and 4 boxes long. Mark the 3 places where the strip will bend, crease them, then form a square and tape it together with a bit of tape (not a lot). Then all the ends.
I can see two possible problems.
One would be the cardboard itself. Is it getting too floppy when it gets damp from the PM? You might have to use heavier cardboard, or even corrugated cardboard.
The next problem might be the masking tape. I've never used it, so I'm not sure how it reacts when it gets damp or wet. Does the adhesive on it lift off the cardboard and thus weaken the joint?
Sue
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Hi and thanks 
I'm thinking the cardboard from the old cereal boxes is too thin, as walls are starting to warp inward. ??
Most the boxes are made from an opened up cereal box, then it's folded to make a rectangle of sorts, with pieces set on each end to enclose it like a building block. Rather brick shaped.
Doesn't seem to be a problem with the masking tape lifting or not holding strips, so far. We're up to three layers, letting it dry between layers.
Problems so far, corners are a pain to get even. heh Seams along the block are weak to the touch. Is there something else to help hold seems together, other than masking tape and strips? Maybe we're simply doing it wrong.
And warping inward is problem. Maybe it needs to be stuffed if we're using cereal boxes?
I'm afraid to start on the castle project, as it's over 4' tall. If we get warping or bad seams on it EEEKKK :shock:
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Hi
I would say as Sue suggested your cardboard is to thin.
I would also try stuffing the box with some newspaper (if its a closed box).
Apply strips across the join then the next time across in the other direction.
Sue.
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Yes, stuffing with crumpled newspaper or those styrofoam worm things to keep the cardboard stiff. Otherwise, maybe you should try corrugated cardboard, but still fill it to prevent the same problem.
Sue
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