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Cardboard Alternative

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  • Member since
    June 2011
  • From: Way out West
  • 440 posts
Cardboard Alternative
Posted by RRaddict on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 1:39 PM

I have heard a lot of people mention using screening to make their mountains and hills. Would anyone be able to tell me what kind of screening would I need and how to get it to hold it's shape?

Kev

Can't stop working on the railroad!

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: US
  • 1,475 posts
Posted by overall on Thursday, May 2, 2013 7:22 AM

In the past, I used metal ( not nylon) window screen to build mountains with. Back then, I got it at a hardware store. I put on a pair of leather work gloves ( White Mule is one brand) and just wadded  up the screen wire and then straightened it back out several times.This gives it a more natural random shape. I then cut profile boards out of 1/2 inch plywood. I mounted the profile boatds to the benchwork and then used a staple gun to attach the screen wire to the profile boards. I then mixed up some patching plaster according to the instructions on the package and then troweled it on to the screen wire. Let this set up and then apply the landscaping covering of your choice until you get the effect you want. This technique is described in the book Scenary for Model Railroads  by Bill McLanahan. It is published by Kalmbach, the same people who bring us CTT everymonth.

George

 

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 993 posts
Posted by lion88roar on Thursday, May 2, 2013 10:07 AM

If you are planning to run TMCC/Legacy/DCS you should avoid using anything metal as your 'form'.

I used crumpled newspaper that I then 'skinned' with 3 layers of plaster cloth. Once the plaster cloth was dry I removed the newspaper.

https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    June 2011
  • From: Way out West
  • 440 posts
Posted by RRaddict on Friday, May 3, 2013 11:26 AM

I do run DCS the main thing I am trying to avoid is making that woven cardboard frame as the last one I made in no way came out resembling a hill or mountain. Can I put plaster cloth right over crumpled newspaper?

Kev

Can't stop working on the railroad!

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