I have a structure that's approx. 4 by 7 inches I want to place on top of a raised area, which is really not a mountain peak, something like a mesa, but with Eastern US foilage, etc. The 'mountain' hasn't been built yet; I have a couple of different ways to go in that direction, and that's the dilemma. I have plenty of corrugated cardboard that I can use to make the 'weave' method of mountains. Making a flat area with that stuff seems like it could be a problem. There's also the possibility of using a foam base which makes it easy to do a flat area. However, I have no foam at hand. And I don't need so much that I could really use up a whole sheet from the local Home Depot. No foam inserts from shipped items either.
The area is not terribly huge; it's trapezoidal with a bottom of approx. 15 inches on one end, 3 inches on the opposite end, and 18 inches on each of the sides. I hope to go no higher than 6 inches (excluding building height). It is also in between some tracks on the 2 sides so I have no wall to anchor anything to. I have the Joe Fugate video where he uses masking tape over the cardboard web. Would something like this work? I really don't care about showing a foundation, as I plan to cover up to that with foileage and so forth.
de N2MPU Jack
Proud NRA Life Member and supporter of the 2nd. Amendment
God, guns, and rock and roll!
Modeling the NYC/NYNH&H in HO and CPRail/D&H in N
If you plan on using the cardboard strips covered with plaster for the main scenery, you could build a table using the foam and then cover the perimeter with the cardboard.
By this I mean a flat foam base for the structure, and support this using foam legs, or if the foam wouldn't be sturdy enough, make the table completely out of wood. L girders for support are another option, treating the area as a piece of roadbed.
It would be easier (and cleaner) than carving a solid mountain of foam.
Jack,
I did something similar to what you want to do...only my structure was a water tank. I used some wood dowels to support a plywood platform that the water tank sits on. I then proceeded with cardboard strips to form the shape of the terrain, covered the strips with masking tape and then applied plaster. See the photos:
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Since you're using cardboard strips (under plaster-impregnated fabric, I presume) why not simply incorporate a "flat" cut from the side of a packing box into your cardboard bird's nest.
While we tend to think of cardboard as flimsy, the multi-layer corrugated brownboard used to box up major appliances is quite rigid and should prove more than adequate.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTT wrote: Since you're using cardboard strips (under plaster-impregnated fabric, I presume) why not simply incorporate a "flat" cut from the side of a packing box into your cardboard bird's nest.While we tend to think of cardboard as flimsy, the multi-layer corrugated brownboard used to box up major appliances is quite rigid and should prove more than adequate.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Yep !!! That works for me too.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Don Z wrote: Don Z.
Don
What tool did you use to drill and countersink those screws in the lumber? If memory serves me right, you had made a post about it last year.
Thanks for the reply.
GS
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
GS,
I use the Kreg jig for drilling the pocket holes. I then use a washerhead square drive screw to join the 2 pieces of wood together.....
http://www.kregtool.com/products/pht/index.php
Great tool, thanks for the link. I believe I'll be picking up a kit.
Those pocket hole jigs do make a nice, neat job.
p.s: square drive = Robertson, though the proper name isn't often used in the U.S. and is becoming less commonly used worldwide due to Chimese manufacturing of these fasteners (long story, in short: thank Henry Ford).
DeadheadGreg wrote:hey Don, any new pictures of any progress on that area?
How's this?
Stage 1 - Raw shape of mountain in place with fascia mounted:
Stage 2 - All carboard strip in place and form is covered with tape, ready for plaster rock castings to be applied:
Stage 3 - Rock castings in place, ready for color:
Stage 4 - Initial color appiled to castings:
I have added the tunnel portals and more scenery texture in this section....I guess I need to take the camera back into the train room again....
Thanks for asking,