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Rounded corners on backdrop

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  • Member since
    October 2016
  • 80 posts
Rounded corners on backdrop
Posted by doublereefed on Thursday, December 8, 2016 12:33 AM

I have a switching layout in the works, about 16" long. It is built wall-to-wall, up against the wall, in a utility room. I therefore have hard square vertical corners where the side walls meet the back wall. 

I'd like to soften that hard corner. I can't find anything like a reverse quarter round wood molding. Any ideas on any off the shelf solutions for a large-ish radius quarter round?

Thanks,

-Richard

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Posted by mlehman on Thursday, December 8, 2016 9:33 AM

Crown molding has some large size reverse 1/4 round options that will help, but these usually have a flat cut in them rather than a sharp taper at the edges like you probably want.

Consider building a coved corner. Cut a light frame out of several pieces of plywood (depending on how tall your backdrop area is.) Build it up with some vertical stringers out of lath or other light material. The backdrop surface can be built into it or, better, serve as a frame to support a fiberboard, aluminum, or plastic sheathing that is continous from the wall, over it, and onward on the adjacent wall. This is only a little more work, but you'll probably have much better results.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Thursday, December 8, 2016 9:45 AM

doublereefed

I have a switching layout in the works, about 16" long. It is built wall-to-wall, up against the wall, in a utility room. I therefore have hard square vertical corners where the side walls meet the back wall. 

I'd like to soften that hard corner. I can't find anything like a reverse quarter round wood molding. Any ideas on any off the shelf solutions for a large-ish radius quarter round?

Thanks,

-Richard

 

Why not embrace the hard corner?

Have you considered placing a mirror on the end short walls? Perpendicular to the aisle. It can give the appearance that the scene doesn't end there. Since it is perpendicular, operators and spectators won't be able to see their own reflections.

Might work.

Robert 

LINK to SNSR Blog


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Posted by CGW121 on Thursday, December 8, 2016 10:09 AM

I used heavy construction paper from Hobby Lobby. Painted it and then used liquid nails or something like that and glued it with a radius to the walls.

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Posted by j. c. on Thursday, December 8, 2016 11:11 AM

you could also use vinyl floor covering , most places that install it will have scraps that they throw away i ask one and i got enough to last for years.

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Posted by doublereefed on Thursday, December 8, 2016 4:39 PM
Great ideas, all. Enough to get me looking into these options. Thanks!
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Posted by cowman on Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:49 PM

My local sign shop will order a 4'x8' sheet of styrene (my choice of thickness) and cut it in half, giving a 16' run, 2' high, with only one seam, it will cove the corners easily.  Can also be used in just the corners, being thin it mates up quite well with the existing wall.

There is also pre painted rolled aluminum available at lumber yards.  It comes in several widths.  Not sure if it comes in less than 25' rolls or not. 

1/8" masonite can also be used, will curve quite well, thought not as tight as the styrene or aluminum.  You can get both 2'x4' or 4'x8' sheets.

Good luck,

Richard

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Posted by fisherdm on Friday, December 9, 2016 7:13 PM

Another option is vinyl flashing. The borgs have it in narrow widths and somewhat short lengths. Rolls up to 24 inches wide by 200 feet long can be bought on-line. It does need to be primed before painting. It's what I've used on my layout, and I'm very happy with how it installed and looks.

Dan

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