Hi everybody
This thread is a demonstration on how to make hot rolled steel coils. I found the original article in Railroad Model Craftsman about 20 years ago. It's cheap and simple enough to make so I think the process bears repeating.
SUPPLIES:
You need just a roll of red rosin paper in 36 inch length from the local hardware or building supply store and some glue (I used a glue stick from the dollar store. )
TOOLS
A ruler or straight edge at least 36 inches long.
2 pieces of hardboard or MDF, 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch tall and 48 inches long.
Utility knife and plenty of blades.
1.Screw down one piece of hardboard securely to a flat surface.
2. Place your straight edge next to it.
3. screw down the 2nd hardboard piece next to the straight edge loosely only at the ends. You want to make a sandwich of hardboard and the straight edge. 
Pull out the straight edge and feed the rosin paper under the loose hardboard and butt it against the edge of the other one.
Start cutting strips of rosin paper, I used 3, 36 inch strips to make one roll. Use the glue to coat one side and keep the roll together. It's just that easy.
You will have some waste from uneven cuts. Rosin paper dulls knife blades pretty quickly so have a good supply on hand.
After they've dried you can paint them a sort of bluish gray color to resemble hot rolled steel. In an afternoon I made 15 of them in 2 sizes. A yardstick's width will give you a 60 inch coil and a 6 footer with make 96 inch coils.
Here they are in my coil yard before painting.
I hope this has been informative. Enjoy
