I've made some nice trees. I drilled holes and poked them in. Very nice.
But they're so fragile. I did have them soaked in matte media, for a long time, before building them.
The 'trunks' are so small. I'm trying to figure out how to bulk them up a bit. I did buy some fine piano wire, but getting it up those fine trunks looks really hard.
Any ideas? I was wondering about laying a strand or two of piano wire beside the trunk. Then somehow attaching them. But how do I disguise them and make it look real?
Taking a total guess here, but perhaps adding toothpicks to the back of the trees (where no one can see) or putting them on a stand? Just two ideas. Here's hoping others have better ideas.
CanadaDavid I was wondering about laying a strand or two of piano wire beside the trunk. Then somehow attaching them. But how do I disguise them and make it look real?
I remember seeing someone painting the trunks with latex. That wouldn't strengthen them unless you added piano wire.
Ron's Trains N Things just had a Youtube about pine trees. I think he preferred 20 ga florist wire.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I used that method for my layout. It really looked realistic and relatively inexpensive. The nice thing with the opproach is you can reuse many of the items--foam, wire, and twine--for future trees. I like it's quite easy to make too.
Don't use piano wire, as it's too stiff to be wrapped around the existing trunk.
I'd suggest mixing-up a fairly stiff batch of Durabond 90, then dip the existing trunk into it and set it aside for a couple of hours.You can add detail to the trunk using a not-too-stiff metal brush, then slap-on some suitably coloured paint.
Wayne
Paint this stuff on them, it will address both your concerns.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Never heard of it, so had to poke around. Found a vid explaining how used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFHYwuR7GXs
And where to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-Builder-Liquid-Rubber/dp/B001E1XBLO
stinkin 403 errors
Kasskaboose latex is also good for DIY rock molds using either Hydrocal or Permascene. A layer or two of latex. Gauze- latex- gauze - latex - latex. This scene was made entirely with Permascene and molds
Nice work Henry.
I used Plaster-of-Paris (POP) to make rocks in moulds. Whatever works!