I use a cheap and easy way to make talus for my layout. When I have leftover plaster, I pour it into a red Solo cup (I know, that song just popped into your head). When I have a need for small rocks, I CAREFULLY slice the cup on opposite side, then split the cup and remove the big plug of plaster.
Cup of hardened plaster.
CAREFULLY slice cup on opposite sides with razor knife. I SHOULD have worn some work gloves.
Make small rocks out of plaster plug.
Rocks ready for staining.
Mix a stain of the color you want the rocks to be and drop them in. I used an old ice cream tub.
Strain rocks and let dry on paper towels.
Sprinkle rocks at base of cliff and apply diluted white glue.
Train passing cliff.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Marlon, that works great and those concrete floor are always good for so many projects. I thought you were staining the "tallus" in your BEER!
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
I put the plaster in a plastic zip-lock bag and smash away; keeps all the mess in the bag.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Just curous as I haven't worked with this stuff since grade school. Is it possible to dye/stain, etc. the plaster when you mix it up? When you break it would that result in a desired effect? Thanks
PS Good job!
BumpyJack68 Just curous as I haven't worked with this stuff since grade school. Is it possible to dye/stain, etc. the plaster when you mix it up? When you break it would that result in a desired effect? Thanks PS Good job!
Yes, you can add the color to the plaster mix. Some people do it so there's not a glaring white spot should the plaster get chipped on the layout.
Jack:
You can mix dye or stain with your plaster to give a uniform color. Rocks tend not to be real uniform in color so Marlon's staining method gives a more non-uniform realistic result.
Joe
Hello All,
Great tip as I begin to senic my pike.
Thanks for the post.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I have made talus out of leftover tile thinset. I threw a little granite grey latex in with it while mixing and let it set in a large pale. It fell out like a large pizza, I broke it in half and put it in a large ziplock. I then took my rubber mallet to it as it was easier on the bag than a regular hammer and voila!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."