Want to build aBuilding real outside patio, using close to scale 1/32nd scale cobblestones.

look for granite chips or pea gravel

Redfire -

Welcome to the forum.

Don't know if this will help, but I have noticed that closed cell styrofoam (like the kind that stereos and things are packed in) looks a lot like cobble stone, and the "stones" would be about the right size for 1/32. The individual cells are also different in size from each other, so it has that random look. It's soft enough that you could press and form it with your hands or fingers.

hope this helps,

stinger

Larry:

If you haven't already found your pebbles. You could try making a "stamp" and pressing is into thin poured layers of plaster. I recently read an article in my newly acquired book ARCHITECTURAL MODELLING in 4mm Scale. It describes making a stamp out of various sizes of tubing brass,styrene etc. short lengths are cut and placed together like cans on a shelf. Vary the size and make as large a section as required. Once all pieces have been bonded together a handle can be attached either by soldering or gluing depending on the medium used to create the stamp.

Once you have it put together you impress the "stamp" into the plaster and it forms the cobbles quickly and easily. To vary the pattern you rotate the stamp as you proceed.

The full title of the book is:

Architectural Modelling in 4mm Scale
- Dave Rowe - 1983 - Wild Swan Publications Ltd.
Hopgoods Farm Cottage, Upper Bucklebury, Berks U.K.
ISBN: 0 906867 12 6

I have learned many new ideas that I will be using in future projects just in several pages I have read so far. If you can find a copy it is worth a look.

Cheers;

Gregory

Try a store that sells aquariums and supplies. All sorts of small gravel there since the tanks need it. Also, in case someone ever needs it, another common aquarium product is crushed coral.

For cobblestones I would use split lentils (dried) set onto white glue (PVA) This is quite tedious to do as they need to be placed individually. Then use a thinned polyfilla as a grout to fill in the spaces.
This would work well for dioramas but wish you luck if you decide to cover 400 square feet!!