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I think it's fun to discover ways to utilize unconventional materials in adding to my layout. Keeping one's eyes constantly peeled for new and unusual items that can heighten a layout's realism and character is one of the real attractions of this hobby. For example, I work in a factory that uses a lot of steel (making rail joints), so I've found some neat stuff there, i.e., drill press and steel saw shavings for scrap metal, shotblaster residue as groundcover for parking lots, etc. <br />Another discovery was the flint wheel from disposable lighters. The pieces make nice large gears for machinery and junk piles. Cheap mechanical watches are great too. <br />One more: the small wood plugs for countersink holes in furniture and craft items make great concrete planters, the kind you see on sidewalks in downtown areas. Paint em white, glue a little course turf on the wider side, and presto. <br />What unusual and unique stuff have you used to create structures/details/scenery?
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