The Origami Forum

Have you ever had that moment where you are folding a model and it it going well until you have a big rip that messes it up?

I have, and I usually look like this.

Any suggestions how to fix a bad rip?

What rip?
Exactly.



Or just use some thin tape, should fix it.

I use Micropore Surgical Tape. Its thin and strong

MancRB wrote:I use Micropore Surgical Tape. Its thin and strong

Where can you find that kind of tape?

Also, I've found that tape shows badly in the final model.
Is it possible to use glue?

you could rip another small strip of paper and glue it over the rip like a patch. the ripped edges will make it less noticable or you could just glue it inside the model so its not visible at all

orislater wrote:you could rip another small strip of paper and glue it over the rip like a patch. the ripped edges will make it less noticable or you could just glue it inside the model so its not visible at all

Good idea! I'll try that next time.

When I folded a cobra and made th metal part to hold up the head, cut strips from the same roll of paper and basically paper mached the metal. But you could probably do the same thing: paper macheing a piece of the paper onto the ripped area.

I usually find out the place of rip before its realizing, then I unfold that part of model, place piece of tape under the critical place and refold the model. During folding the rip-step, no rip occurs - the tape fix the paper.

Sometimes you can actually use the tape on both sides to simulate symmetry, it can be fun to play with add ons if you don't want to feel like everything is ruined...

keep in mind that if you are careful enough, you can do origami with adhesives as well, there are so many artistic possibilities...

Argonaut wrote:

MancRB wrote:I use Micropore Surgical Tape. Its thin and strong

Where can you find that kind of tape?

Also, I've found that tape shows badly in the final model.
Is it possible to use glue?

I get it from the pharmacy. http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/3m-micro ... 64320.html

You may want to try different manufacturers tape as it varies in thickness and width.

redheadorigami wrote:What rip?
Exactly.

Iseewhatyoudidthere.avi

Ondrej.Cibulka wrote:I usually find out the place of rip before its realizing, then I unfold that part of model, place piece of tape under the critical place and refold the model. During folding the rip-step, no rip occurs - the tape fix the paper.

I'd say this. Although in my case I usually put tape AFTER the rip...
If the rip is just too much, then start over, I guess? Frustrating, but that's part of the job.

If I get a tiny rip, I start over. It helps you accuracy and the model's turnout anyway.

I always have a rip right in the middle. Origami SD lets you use virtual paper which keeps the destructive forces of ripping at bay. Not so good if you actually want a finished model, which is why, like every good origamist, I have learnt to ignore little rips and chuck it in the bin when it gets too big.

first test the model with cheap paper then figure out where the paper got weak and on the final fold reanforce that part with tape foil it more paper