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cardboard base

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  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by DURR on Thursday, February 8, 2007 3:56 PM

i used cardboard as a base for 1/72 scale single eng fighters and armor

nothing more than a 6" sq.

i use 3-4 popcycle sticks underneath as reinforcers  

i would not use  cardboard  for anything bigger but for what i use it works well

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Baton Rouge, Snake Central
Posted by PatlaborUnit1 on Friday, January 26, 2007 2:30 PM

It curls.

 

Badly.

 

 

Build to please yourself, and don't worry about what others think! TI 4019 Jolly Roger Squadron, 501st Legion
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 9:52 PM
I would go with a wood base and then put styafoam, cellclay, or whatever else on top of that (just make sure to put something on it so that it doesn't warp). Some people will just use styrafoam or paper mache, which also works, but cardboard will just make you entire diorama collapse when you try to move it.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: springfield
Posted by prowannab on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 2:34 PM
i try to use styrofoam it's good stuff fairly strong and you can sculpt it easily to any shape you want plus it's lightweight,if you want something stronger go to your harware store and get blue foam this stuff is styrofoam but on steroids and is still lightweight but very strong,they use it for insulating concrete slabs and yes they pour it on top of this stuff and it doesn't break,sometimes you'll see it in pink depends on what part of the country your in,then if you still want more support you buy a 4x6 sheet of oriented strand board for about 6 dollars the thin stuff because it's strong enough to hold up to 100 lbs then just glue your styrofoam to this and you have one extremely strong board or base
Patriae Fidus (FAITHFUL TO MY COUNTRY)
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 8:14 AM

Not cardboard per se, but perhaps you might want to look at Foamcore board at the arts&crafts store.   This is like a cardboard, with a layer of dense foam sandwiched between two thin paper outer layers.  Thickness is from 1/8 (no good for this application) up to 1/2 inch (excellent).  It cuts with craft knives & parts pin into it easily.   The foamcore is not affected by water -- so it can be a good option as a base for building plaster groundwork.   It too will be lighter than wood of the same thickness.  

You can even make buildings & structures out of Foamcore.  I discovered the stuff when my son was in 4th grade & needed to make a castle for school.  Cut out the parts, pinned & glued them together & sprayed Fleckstone paint on them.   I've since seen it used in making buildings in dioramas.  Make the building (or part of it), cover with spackle, and paint.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:38 AM

No, it wouldn't be.

Most corogated cardboard is too flimsy to act as an effective base.  The weight of the groundwork and vehicles or figures of your diorama would likely bend the cardboard.  I can imagine the cardboard flopping over and your model falling off.  Cardboard would deteriorate with the use of adhesives and paints used for groundwork.  Wood treated to prevent warpage is the best thing use.  Hardware stores often sell scrap pieces for just a few dollars. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

  • Member since
    June 2006
cardboard base
Posted by Tankluver on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 12:00 AM
Would cardboard be good for a diorama base.
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