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Some building help/recommendations

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  • Member since
    December 2009
Some building help/recommendations
Posted by goldguy on Friday, March 4, 2011 5:59 PM

I recently started planning a new diorama and I was thinking of trying out an urban scene.  I liked the idea of a ruined Berlin street scene with some Russian soldiers.  So after doing some research and mental planning I created a rough mock up of my layout in card board. But now I have reached a problem. Having very little experience with modeling buildings, especially destroyed urban ones, I am trying to figure out the best way to build my structures.  Does anyone have a good recommendation for what materials or techniques I can use to build stone buildings typical of a city? (mind you, they will be in a state of fairly high damage)

 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
Posted by somenewguy on Saturday, March 5, 2011 3:27 AM

I am yet to scratchbuild my first building but some peole use foamboard and/or featherboard I think it's called then coat it in plater or a similar medium. I won't go into further detail. I don't want to give you the wrong idea.

If possible,  purchase How to Build Dioramas by Sheperd Paine. There is a lot of elaborate detail and illustrations in that book and a whole section dedicated too making buildings and how to replicate destruction.

HTH

At the end of the day one's work may be completed but one's education never!
  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by 101stAirborne on Saturday, March 5, 2011 2:53 PM

I use sheetrock drywall for my scratch-built buildings. I takes a lot of work cutting out windows, doors, and getting the paper off.

Models on the bench:

Too many to count!

  

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: t.r.f. mn.
Posted by detailfreak on Sunday, March 6, 2011 11:13 AM

           This project  is currently still under construction. The building is constructed of white foam sheets which I believe came from a box a new Tv or some other appliance was in.There are several different thicknesses ,you just have to scrounge or check out your local packaging/shipping stores.

      The foam was pegged and glued to the base before the glue and rockhard mixture was added to the outside. The Rockhard mixture was tinted with a mudstone dollar store acrylic paint. The interior walls are made of basswood,and built using the stud wall with the planks attached using wood glue. The wallpaper is real wallpaper,a samples book I picked up from a paint shop. They usually throw them away.

         I will advise you to start out simple,agarden wall or something of that nature.This project here was not my first attempt and at times I quizzed myself as to why I embarked on such a time consuming project!. Use your imagination,the materials are your choice. Most of all have fun and enjoy it..And check out Shep Paines book,a great guide.

almost forgot the pics.

                                                           Greg"Detailfreak"RowleyYes

[View:http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w1/g-earl828/]  http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/cycledupes/1000Roadwheels4BuildBadge.jpg

  • Member since
    December 2009
Posted by goldguy on Sunday, March 6, 2011 9:39 PM

Thanks for all of the recommendations, It seems like ill have to test out a few different methods before I begin work on my actual diorama.  Now time for some scrounging in the recycling bin!

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Boston MA
Posted by vespa boy on Thursday, March 10, 2011 2:25 PM

My advice is to repliate the technique of the 1:1 structure in scale as closely as possible. It will give the best results.

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar

This ain't no Mudd Club, or C.B.G.B.,
I ain't got time for that now

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Central CA
Posted by Division 6 on Sunday, March 13, 2011 3:15 PM

I just found this link off another site that may help you.

They use the white foam board but i have found in the past that the all black version is easier to work with and a lot easier to remove the paper surface from.

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