Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: Admiral Benbow on September 12, 2008, 04:25:50 PM

Title: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 12, 2008, 04:25:50 PM
>>> After the move of LAF from the german to a uk server I realised shortly after that most of the pictures of this thread had vanished, although they had been stored in my LAF gallery. 39 pictures had gone mysteriously into nirvana ... I struggled a while if I should upload them again and replace every single one to the appropriate text passage, realising that it would be much work. But in the end - and looking forward to a new convention game showing the mine - I did it. So if you like, you can follow the work-in-progress once again and hopefully wouldn't mind that I unearthed this older report of mine. May 26th 2018 <<<


Having had a rather large and labour-intensive game last year at the Crisis show in Antwerp ("Worringen 1286"), we decided at the club to go for a more relaxed approach this year and have a participation game with western theme called "Once Upon a Time in Mexico". I took the part on building the required gold mine. This Work-in Progress thread will show you how I did it.

After going into some research into my books and the net, I did find a lot of historical material about mines in the west, but most pictures showed either much too large mining complexes to be transferred into tabletop terrain or the typical small scene showing a group of miners washing for gold with their pans at a small river bed. I had also admired to Wolfgang's fantastic terrain pieces and his old west mine, but that was a bit too barren for my taste; his western town here http://gidian-gelaende.de/Material_HP/Wolfgang/Westerngelaende/album/index.html (unfortunately this site is no longer available!)

By pure coincidence when browsing a bookstore some weeks ago I looked through a "That was the Wild West"-book aimed for the youngers and found what I was after: a splendid illustration by Peter Dennis, who is, after the death of Angus McBride, my favourite illustrator.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194651-33409875.jpeg)

I instantly knew that I wanted to transfer that into a nice terrain piece.

For a start a 5 mm Forex sheet (kind of polystyrol) was cut to the dimensions we had decided upon for the space available in the game context, and after cutting and rounding the edges some foam boards were cut to size and glued upon with contact glue to get some height levels. Quite heavy bottles filled with sand were used to press everything on a flat surface overnight.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194652-334111749.jpeg)

More foam was glued on to gain height, and the first rough layout was scribbled with a marker:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194651-334101607.jpeg)

The foam layers were cut and smoothed out to a more realistic terrain contour, and the first rock and stone structures were sculpted using "Keramiplast", an air-hardening modelling clay. This stuff is easy to handle with just some water and has the consistency of clay. The fact that is will shrink a bit and thus produce cracks was very welcome this time ... :)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194651-334082207.jpeg)

The top layer of the foam was cut in a 90° angle to get in the mine tunnel later. The tunnel entrance would be build separately using woods strips over a wooden frame.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194517-334071288.jpeg)

Now for some pics about the tools of the trade that came into use for sculpting the rock strata:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194517-334061088.jpeg)

Crumbled aluminium foil for pressing the soft clay to get some basic stone like textures, and two selfmade scribing-/cutting tools for the more prominent rock cracks and stone structures:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194517-334051264.jpeg)

Real rock pieces were used as refererence for the structures, but also for pressing them into the clay directly using some water to avoid the clay tacking to the stone surface:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194021-333881001.jpeg)

Coarse grit I collected years ago on an italian beach will be used later for loose stones and all the debris at the bottom of the rock formations:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194021-3338985.jpeg)

In between those times waiting for the glues or the clay to set firmly, I looked through my collection of terrain pieces and the ever present lead mountain for anything usable for this project. The chinese laundry from Peter Dennis' painting should appear in the scene, and I found a nice and perfectly fitting Snapdragon old west shed I had roughly pre-painted some years ago. There were only minor details to add:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193845-3338454.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193845-33383881.jpeg)

This tree trunk plus sign, also from Snapdragon, was cut a bit smaller at the base and will also be integrated into the scene:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193651-33382580.jpeg)

Now on to some figures to be used: the only new bought ones were the miners from HLBS plus some mining equipment like the cars. Some Foundry Old West veterans were dug out of my large lead mountain  ;)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193651-333811352.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193651-333802035.jpeg)

So, that's it for the first post. Hopefully not too long and boring. Next time it's going into some more detail work with the mining tunnel and water troughs plus support construction and of course more rock formations ...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Operator5 on September 12, 2008, 04:35:37 PM
Great job on the rock face. It's always good to see well done home made rock.

I can't wait to see the final.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Johan on September 12, 2008, 04:39:27 PM
Looking good so far. I've already had quite a few previews of games that will be at Crisis 08 (as an organiser I have that advantage) and this year really promisses a lot of really good tables. The jury will have a difficult task (again) to judge who will win this year's awards.
Tables can participate in three categories
1.best wargame of the show
2.best participation game
3.best inovative game (here we want to see something we haven't seen before, surprise us)
Hope to see you in good health there.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Captain Blood on September 12, 2008, 07:53:04 PM
Looking good, Admiral.
And great foresight on your part to document the design and build process, which I'm sure lots of people (me included) will find very useful.
Thanks.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Calimero on September 12, 2008, 08:03:27 PM
Inspiring stuff.  :o Looking forward to see this project evolve. :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: MuleSkinner on September 13, 2008, 02:23:49 AM
likewise..........very impressive stuff  :o
can't wait to see the next installment

*pats Admiral on back*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: bandit86 on September 13, 2008, 05:47:53 AM
really look forward to the progress, great job so far.  How do the HLBS compare with other figures?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Malamute on September 13, 2008, 08:27:11 AM
Awesome, always a great scene in any western. :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Captain Blood on September 13, 2008, 09:26:00 AM
And for Zorro, of course...  ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Grimm on September 13, 2008, 09:44:23 AM
That is very nice ,I looking out for more  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Hammers on September 13, 2008, 09:45:58 AM
Lovely! The viaduct must be a joy to build.

Benbow, I've got a HLBS dancing goldminer with your name on it. I bought the set for the bucking mule, but the prospector's yours if you want it.

(http://www.hlbs.co.uk/images/catalogue/MP20.png)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Ramshackle_Curtis on September 13, 2008, 11:24:54 AM
Nice work on the rock, look forward to seeing this finished.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Cory on September 13, 2008, 03:45:33 PM
A great project.

What Hammershield called a viaduct is known as a flume and used to carry crushed ore. The ground beneath them would usually be covered with dust and small chunks of ore.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Hammers on September 13, 2008, 03:53:41 PM
A great project.

What Hammershield called a viaduct is known as a flume and used to carry crushed ore. The ground beneath them would usually be covered with dust and small chunks of ore.

knowitall! ;-)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: archangel1 on September 13, 2008, 08:01:20 PM
A great project.

What Hammershield called a viaduct is known as a flume and used to carry crushed ore. The ground beneath them would usually be covered with dust and small chunks of ore.

knowitall! ;-)

I can show off, too! The mine entrance is called an 'adit'.  :D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Rhoderic on September 13, 2008, 08:08:22 PM
A great project.

What Hammershield called a viaduct is known as a flume and used to carry crushed ore. The ground beneath them would usually be covered with dust and small chunks of ore.

knowitall! ;-)

I can show off, too! The mine entrance is called an 'adit'.  :D

As in "Get adit boys! That gold ain't gonna mine itself!" ;D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: argsilverson on September 13, 2008, 10:03:20 PM
Inspiring stuff.  :o Looking forward to see this project evolve. :)
likewise..........very impressive stuff  :o
can't wait to see the next installment

*pats Admiral on back*

Me too! I agree on all the above!

May I suggest some addition. A couple of tent accommodation, for the unfortunate miners that have no shacks, plus a a crusher and few miners to wash out the ore by the creek. (plus some beavers)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Verderer on September 13, 2008, 11:10:54 PM
Oh, I thought the water chute was called a Long Tom?

Nice project, by the way.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: oxiana on September 14, 2008, 03:08:27 PM
[Rubs forehead, resisting temptation]

... Must not ... look at other inspiring projects ... stay focused on current painting plans ... don't get distracted...

Aw hell, I want a gold mine table too!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 14, 2008, 09:13:57 PM
really look forward to the progress, great job so far.  How do the HLBS compare with other figures?

Quite large figures, around 28-30 mm. Usually too big for the older Foundry minis, but I don't plan to show them side by side ... ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 14, 2008, 09:16:21 PM
Lovely! The viaduct must be a joy to build.
Benbow, I've got a HLBS dancing goldminer with your name on it. I bought the set for the bucking mule, but the prospector's yours if you want it ...

Hammers, that's a very generous offer - thank you very much! Will send you a pm.

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: argsilverson on September 15, 2008, 12:10:49 PM
The Gold Mine, this the title of this topic.
Yes I understand that gold is more appealing, but I think that this project could also be served as:

the silver mine

for scenarios based on Zorro etc

[By the way there is no way to distinct, in 28mm miniatures,  the ore containing gold  to the silver ore. Generally the gold or silver are in small veins amidst the rock. Most of the times together]
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 15, 2008, 12:27:33 PM
Alright, on with part 2 ... Thanks to everybody for your nice comments and hints; never heard of "adid" and "flume" before, but I really enjoy learning the correct gold-mining-terminology through building this terrain piece ...  :)

The next picture shows more rock formations at the right side of the piece, this time more rounded formations as being created by fluvial and glacial processes. The adid and tracks into the mine have been created, Laundry building and tree have been positioned and the flume was constructed from simple foamcard strips as placeholders to get the correct curves and lengths of the later troughs. The strips were only pinned into the ground with needle pins.

@argsilverson: have a look at the middle left part of the photo: from the start I had noted the german word "Zelt" there, which means "tent".  :D

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194516-334041971.jpeg)

Two more shots of the new features from different angles:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194516-3340372.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194338-33400662.jpeg)

Over to more details of the mine entrance. The wooden construction was entirely built from wood strips of different forms and thicknesses, available over here from a couple of shipmodeller's support companies. Simple u-frames were connected and the sides and top planked with strips. As the used white glue would repel acrylics or inks, everything got an undercoat with light brown enamels and will be drybrushed and weathered with acrylics later.

Before laying the tracks, the ground was base-painted a dark muddy brown colour to eliminate any white spots from the clay and get a nice dark base for later colouring. After drying small wooden strips were glued on and some plastic t-beams from my spares fixed on top with contact glue. The wheels of the small ore-car were used as a template.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194338-334021491.jpeg)

Peter Dennis' painting shows some blockhouse tents in the background, and as I was looking for some balance to the Laundry building on the right, I started building a small log-supported tent for the left side. First I thought about using round wooden stock material, but that would look too artificial. A short trip to the woods got me some dryed up small diameter twigs which looked far better. They were cut to length, carved round at the ends and glued together. Overall the wooden parts came out quite naturally and I was happy with the effect. The frame for the tent was built from toothpicks, and the canvas itself is from thin cloth, glued over the frame and then soacked two times with a white-glue/acrylic colour mix. The canvas will get some more colour and the one or other highlight later, the wood will stay as it is, maybe get some flat varnish for protection.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193846-333872150.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193845-333861520.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193845-33385593.jpeg)

That's the end of part 2, but I will follow up with part 3 in short time. After that we will be up-to-date with this project, and I will post after making some significant progress, as time permits. Hope to have this thing finished at the end of September ...  ::)

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Verderer on September 15, 2008, 12:44:30 PM
The Gold Mine, this the title of this topic.
Yes I understand that gold is more appealing, but I think that this project could also be served as:

the silver mine

for scenarios based on Zorro etc

[By the way there is no way to distinct, in 28mm miniatures,  the ore containing gold  to the silver ore. Generally the gold or silver are in small veins amidst the rock. Most of the times together]

I may be wrong, but I think this type of operation modelled here would be only usable for 'placer gold', in other words gold that is panned from sand. Quartz or ore gold would have to be separated from the ore chemically or mechanically (crushing etc), so the Long Tom and the cradle pictured in the illustration for sieving gold from earth would be useless. Both contraptions are essentially for the same purpose as panning, they just process much more sand than a single panner would be able to.

Admiral, I love the way you made the tent, and in fact I am planning doing some similar tents for my boomtown project. Great inspiration!


Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: argsilverson on September 15, 2008, 12:52:41 PM
The Gold Mine, this the title of this topic.
Yes I understand that gold is more appealing, but I think that this project could also be served as:

the silver mine

for scenarios based on Zorro etc

[By the way there is no way to distinct, in 28mm miniatures,  the ore containing gold  to the silver ore. Generally the gold or silver are in small veins amidst the rock. Most of the times together]

I may be wrong, but I think this type of operation modelled here would be only usable for 'placer gold', in other words gold that is panned from sand. Quartz or ore gold would have to be separated from the ore chemically or mechanically (crushing etc), so the Long Tom or the cradle used in this diorama for sieving gold from earth would be useless. Both contraptions are for essentially the same purpose as panning, they just process much more sand than a single panner would be able to.




The gold ores are of 2 types:
1.- veins in the rock
2.- ore in the alluvial deposits, i.e. river deposits/sands, tilt,clays etc.

the second is usually through surface works, and then washed by the river.

This type of mine, which is in diorama, is aimed to take off the rock. Then it should be crushed and final stage is again by washing in the water. [In modern mines, they processed ores chenically -the term is "cupping"- but it is not necessary to discuss gold mining in full detail]

So, in both cases the Long Tom is necessary.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Verderer on September 15, 2008, 12:57:51 PM
Oh, really? That is interesting. But at what point is the ore crushed then? I thought they would need big crushing machines (like briefly glimpsed in the series Deadwood) or using quicksilver to separate it chemically? Sorry, I don't want to hijack this thread but this is interesting stuff, and has some bearing on the diorama itself, right?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: argsilverson on September 15, 2008, 01:06:20 PM
Oh, really? That is interesting. But at what point is the ore crushed then? I thought they would need big crushing machines (like briefly glimpsed in the series Deadwood) or using quicksilver to separate it chemically? Sorry, I don't want to hijack this thread but this is interesting stuff, and has some bearing on the diorama itself, right?

Just make things simple:
1.- cutting the rock -bringing to surface
2.- crushing to small particles
3.- cupping and/or washing . in both cases the structure used in older times is similar like the Long Tom. In ancient Greece the made Long Toms out of carved stones.

 
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Verderer on September 15, 2008, 01:09:43 PM
Yes, but how was it crushed? I don't see how you can do it between the mine and the long tom / sluice? Unless you did it by hand, which would take ages I guess? Isn't gold ore as hard as rock?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 15, 2008, 01:11:44 PM
Ok, thanks a lot to both Verderer and argsilverson for those very interesting and probably historically correct facts, but let me clarify that I'm not after building a mining diorama for a scientific museum, but a terrain piece for my old west gaming stuff and our club game at Crisis.  :D

I'm a history teacher myself and studied history a couple of years ago and would have gone into laborious research and studies about gold- or silver mining around the boomtowns of the old west if I had intended to construct a 100% correct model about historic mining operations. I just found a nice painting in a book about the west and used that as an orientation for my mine model.

Let's say my terrain piece will show some historical techniques and constructions for mining in one compressed piece.  lol lol lol

I can live with that.

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Verderer on September 15, 2008, 01:13:03 PM
Yep, works for me too! ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: argsilverson on September 15, 2008, 01:16:53 PM
Being a geologist myself I could produce a full essay/book on the subject.
Building a diorama of Wild West for gaming purposes is not a scientific diorama and yes much simplification must be assumed.
I understand the above and that is why I send only minimal details.

The rest is Science, metallurgy etc.

Dear Verderer
crushing? not by hand but by steam power! there are a lot of steam crushers

Dear Admiral,
Hope you enjoy and produce a magnificent diorama. All our comments were just to enrich your idea, mostly because I am unable even to think to make any diorama. My talents are minimal,
Keep up the good work, inspire all of us and thanks for sharing it.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine
Post by: Verderer on September 15, 2008, 01:42:18 PM
Yes, it's wonderful project, and it wasn't my intention to question it at all. On the contrary, I think it's entirely correct as far as I can tell (and I am not an expert).

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with part 2 ...)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 16, 2008, 04:01:55 PM
On to part 3 of my gold mine project. Or was it a silver mine? Have to check the next ore car ...  8)

The next pics show the latest developments on the building site:
- the flume (or was it the Long Tom?) has been constructed;
- support constructions from stone and timber have been created;
- trackbed and shaft-entrance have been painted and weathered;
- rock formations above and behind the adid grew quite naturally ...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194337-33398331.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194201-333971696.jpeg)

I had been thinking for quite some time about the best way to create some kind of illusion for the mine entrance leading into a mountain; the problem being that very tiny amount of available space without creating a huge model mountain. Initially I would have done it the same way as before, laying some pieces of styrofoam around the entrance and sculpt the rock strata into the clay. But then my friend Bob da dawg sent me a small bag of pine bark pieces he'd collected on some north sea island, and I gave it a try. It was a bit of a hassle to find matching pieces of bark fitting around the entrance and on top of each other, but some cutting, pinning and a careful step-by-step glueing did it in the end. The single pieces will now be blended with each other and into the finished rock formations with some more of the clay material, and hopefully it will come together quite naturally. It's all some kind of experiment, but it's exciting as well ...  :) Have a look at some details:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194201-33396997.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194200-333931601.jpeg)

The water troughs were build entirely from balsa wood. I cut my own strips from larger balsa sheets of 2 and 3 mm thickness, available from shipmodeller's suppliers. For glueing the balsa I recommend not to use white glue, as balsa will soak up the water in white glue quite fast and that will lead to a weak bond, especially with so small edges. I used Uhu-Hart, a special contact glue for balsa. It's very fast and you get a real strong bond, so all four troughs could be finished in roughly 1,5 hours.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194022-33392196.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194022-333912123.jpeg)

As done with the foamboard placeholders, the finished balsa troughs were fixed to the ground and into each other with some needle pins to get the correct height dimensions for the support constructions. All in all a very delicate setup, but I had no other idea to do it. The supports were mainly carved and engraved from styrofoam and then glued to the ground. Some wooden supports from wood strips were added in the back as stone supports of such a height are quite unlikely and unstable. Everything was arranged as if the builders didn't have a real masterplan in mind and did it more to trial and error ... The troughs themselves were not glued in place but are removable for ease of painting.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194201-33395461.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194200-333941969.jpeg)

As you will have noticed in the meantime this terrain piece will be used with its backside to the edge of the gaming table. To get a nice flat side looking like the scene has been cut up, a contour piece cut from 2 mm plastic sheet was contact glued to the backside and fixed with some tape until the glue was fully cured. This will later get some black paint and flat varnish.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518194021-333901453.jpeg)

So, that is it pretty much up till now. Next steps will be smoothing out the rock formations, getting the rest of the groundwork done and start painting the thing. I'll take some break now and be back when there is more to show ...

Thanks for your interest and support!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Malamute on September 16, 2008, 04:15:29 PM
Wow, it just keep s getting better and better. :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Operator5 on September 16, 2008, 05:37:43 PM
This has to be one of the most amazing projects I have ever seen (and I have seen quite a few). All the constructing on the mine is phenomenal, but little touches like the stockade tent just blow me away.
 :o :o :o :o :o

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: oxiana on September 16, 2008, 06:45:43 PM
It's so great to watch such a fascinating project as the work is shown step-by-step. So much better to appreciate the finished piece - which I know it going to be great.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Captain Blood on September 16, 2008, 10:51:22 PM
Looking damn gorgeous.

Right - here's an idea for you... You know those spoiled railway modellers have all kind of brilliant little luxury items to enhance their layouts? Well, I'm sure I've seen little flickering flame L.E.D.s... (battery powered presumably?)

Don't know if it'd be too difficult or too late to wire up now, but a couple of flickering torches set just inside the mine entrance (or was it an adit?  ;)) would be an extra piece of magic to wow your onlookers...

Just a thought...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: bandit86 on September 17, 2008, 05:14:37 AM
Thank you Admiral this is a really fun project to watch come to life, thanks for your hard work.  Looking forward to the finished mine.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 17, 2008, 11:00:28 AM
Looking damn gorgeous.
Right - here's an idea for you... You know those spoiled railway modellers have all kind of brilliant little luxury items to enhance their layouts? Well, I'm sure I've seen little flickering flame L.E.D.s... (battery powered presumably?)
Don't know if it'd be too difficult or too late to wire up now, but a couple of flickering torches set just inside the mine entrance (or was it an adit?  ;)) would be an extra piece of magic to wow your onlookers...
Just a thought...

Captain, that's indeed a very nice idea! I'll think about it and any possibilities for hidden wiring ... Will check a railway shop next days.

Thanks!

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: argsilverson on September 17, 2008, 11:07:26 AM
Simply marvellous!!!!!

This diorama is marvellous, its quality and execution is superb!
It will proudly stand in a science museum as well!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Regulator on September 17, 2008, 02:24:50 PM
So great and so nitty-gritty!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: gamer Mac on September 17, 2008, 02:57:53 PM
Gob smacked!!!

Amazing!!!
Makes we want to think about playing old west games just so I can try and build something like this.
But your mine would just put anything I build to shame
Can’t wait to see it finished.
PS I may have to think how I could fit a mine into my pulp games
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Snate56 on September 18, 2008, 07:59:01 AM
Where are you, Admiral? Here in the States we have these craft stores everywhere and even "super" sized grocery stores that sell decorative electric candles that have that same flickering LED in them. Especially now when we're comming into our Halloween season; they use them in carved pumpkins.
I just mention this because they would probably be a lot cheaper than railroader supplies.


SteveN
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on September 18, 2008, 10:50:02 AM
Thanks all for your nice comments and compliments, you really keep me going ... :D

@Snate56: I'm living in Germany, and although we don't have that many craft stores over here, I will keep my eyes open when browsing the one or other dollar shop in the next days; maybe I'll find something usable.

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Bugsda on September 18, 2008, 08:10:43 PM
That is absolutely brilliant Admiral, really looking forward to the finished article :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Mancha on September 18, 2008, 08:54:42 PM
Looking damn gorgeous.
Right - here's an idea for you... You know those spoiled railway modellers have all kind of brilliant little luxury items to enhance their layouts? Well, I'm sure I've seen little flickering flame L.E.D.s... (battery powered presumably?)
Don't know if it'd be too difficult or too late to wire up now, but a couple of flickering torches set just inside the mine entrance (or was it an adit?  ;)) would be an extra piece of magic to wow your onlookers...
Just a thought...

Captain, that's indeed a very nice idea! I'll think about it and any possibilities for hidden wiring ... Will check a railway shop next days.


I was going to suggest exactly the same thing.  They run on little 9V (or even smaller) batteries.  You could install the lights into the tunnel, put the wires into the base, and carve out a battery compartment into the lower base.  I did the same when I installed a light into the "hold" of a ship.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Verderer on September 22, 2008, 02:23:24 PM
The mine is looking absolutely brilliant! Keep at it, we want more pics! ;D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Evilcartoonist on September 25, 2008, 02:10:34 AM
Wow! That mine is simply FANTASTIC!  :-* :-* :-* :-*

Something else I'll have to add to my try-to-do-this pile. :)

Can't wait to see the final product.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (now with parts 2 and 3 ...)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on October 02, 2008, 07:08:18 PM
First of all, a big thank you to everybody for all the nice comments! Just a small update today to keep you informed how the project is developing. I have not been lazy since last time, but due to "real life" things I'm way behind my plan to finish this at the end of September (obviously ...). So end of October is the next date and I HAVE to finish it then as it's only a couple of days to Crisis.

In the meantime I collected all needed miniatures and prepared them for undercoating and painting. Even a stage coach with four horse team was added, not directly for the mine, but needed for our game; looks like a lot of painting work coming ...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193650-333792371.jpeg)

If you ever want to know the meaning of "a pain in the ass", then order the Dixon stage coach set  >:D . Although most parts are cleanly cast, nothing fits together without lots of cutting, filing and drilling, and the five parts of the coach cage had even to be reshaped partly. There are no locator holes or corresponding pins, everything is guessing and a lot of trial and error. I recommend NOT to use any kind of cyanoacrylate or instant glue; I fixed everything with two part epoxy and needed two evenings just to finish the coach and improve the very weak suspension between cabin and wheel frame! I hope this wargame model will stand at least some handling now ... :-I

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193650-333781053.jpeg)

Detail shot of all the small parts for the mine, baggage and horses for the coach:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193441-333771481.jpeg)

The work team of the mine, mostly Foundry and some smaller conversions including that Old Glory guy at the outer right:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193441-33376805.jpeg)

The rock structures of the mine are now fully sculpted and the clay is drying slowly. The entrance has been covered with Tamiya tape to protect the already painted parts, the pine bark pieces have been blended with clay to resemble a homogeneous structure. But only after painting it will show if the thing will look what I'm after ...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193441-333751151.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193441-333741715.jpeg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/33/93-260518193440-333731792.jpeg)

That's it for today. I will now get out my airbrushing equipment to undercoat everything in its predominant colour to save some painting time. Then main painting will start on everything, so you should expect to see something more colourful next time in about two weeks time ...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Super_Gibbon on October 02, 2008, 07:55:50 PM
I can't wait! This project is truly awesome.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Regulator on October 02, 2008, 08:34:23 PM
Bloody awesome!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: argsilverson on October 03, 2008, 10:03:11 AM
Bloody awesome!

and is getting more ,,, every day
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: ancientsociety on October 07, 2008, 08:39:07 PM
Really beautiful work!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Dan on October 08, 2008, 10:52:32 AM
Great stuff  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Christian on October 14, 2008, 05:31:11 AM
Firstly, that's some great work! I can't wait to see it finished. Keep it up.

Also, about working with the clay: how much work are you doing while it's wet and are you carving into it while it is dry? I imagine most of it is working with it wet. Anyway, I find your work very inspiring and would like to try my hand at rocks with clay too!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on October 21, 2008, 02:17:13 PM
Also, about working with the clay: how much work are you doing while it's wet and are you carving into it while it is dry? I imagine most of it is working with it wet. Anyway, I find your work very inspiring and would like to try my hand at rocks with clay too!

Christian, thanks for your nice comments and sorry for being so late in responding, but I've been very busy in real life ...  :?

I worked the clay only in its wet stage. The consistency of Keramiplast is very similar to real clay, so it's not really wet but soft and can be smoothed using some water. I liked the result as it was after drying, but you could have carved the stuff with usual wood working tools.

Due to my time constraints I was not able to shoot more WIP-photos, but will try to do at the weekend ... In the meantime rubble and grit has been added, the whole thing was undercoated and completely washed, drybrushed and detail-painted. And the stage coach is coming to live as well!  8)

Stay tuned!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: BigMecha on October 22, 2008, 01:24:57 AM
excellent! so very nice...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: cianty on October 22, 2008, 02:25:40 PM
This is really breath-taking! I look forward to your next update. Awesome work!  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: tsar1701 on October 22, 2008, 03:22:01 PM
Can't wait to see more !

very impressive work :o
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Christian on October 22, 2008, 11:57:29 PM
In the meantime rubble and grit has been added, the whole thing was undercoated and completely washed, drybrushed and detail-painted. And the stage coach is coming to live as well!  8)

Stay tuned!


Woohoo!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 4 update!)
Post by: Bako on October 23, 2008, 12:27:05 AM
Can't wait to see this all painted up :D.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 Update)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on October 26, 2008, 10:04:07 PM
Alright, here we go! Just found some time to shoot a couple of pics and wanted to upload to picolodia as usual, but right now this service is down for unknown reasons. So I had to create a LAF gallery first and try to link the photos from there ... Sadly I can't find a way to link from the gallery directly to this topic, so the good old way of copy and paste of the picture url must help.

That's how the mine is looking now - painting finished, water running, only the miniatures have to be painted and included to their places:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_08_24_0.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_08_24_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_08_24_2.jpg)

This is my favourite view currently, as all the rubble, rock formations and grit came together quite nicely and look fairly realistic. At least from my perspective ...  ;)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_18_34.jpg)

Two more details of the Laundry and the place where the water comes out of the Long Johns and the gold is washed out with the pans (hopefully ...  :))

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_21_38_0.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_21_38_1.jpg)

Stage coach and horse team has also been finished including varnishing, base was sanded but is still unpainted. Driver and guard plus some baggage is finished and just waiting to be glued onto the coach, but I wil do this only after painting the base as the group is already heavy enough for handling.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_21_38_2.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_26_10_08_10_21_38_3.jpg)

So, two weeks to Crisis, I guess I won't have major problems finishing this project in time. There are only four more figures to paint, then everything will be firmly glued to their positions and some smaller detail pieces added. Next instalment in this small series will be the last one - see you then!


Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Overlord on October 26, 2008, 10:08:00 PM
Absolutely stunning!  :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on October 26, 2008, 10:15:42 PM
Paul's right. That is insanely good!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Calimero on October 26, 2008, 10:23:35 PM
That is a truly stunning terrain piece!  :-*

…an the stagecoach is not half bad either!  lol
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Operator5 on October 26, 2008, 10:24:53 PM
I love the paint scheme. And the Long John with it's somewhat patched look is perfect.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on October 26, 2008, 10:28:09 PM
Bloody brilliant Benbow. Brilliant.
You have raised the bar sir!
I'm off to eBay to buy new supplies of polystyrene!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Keith on October 26, 2008, 10:28:27 PM
Good grief ... stunning Sir!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: gamer Mac on October 26, 2008, 11:18:09 PM
The rubble and stone looks stunning, very realistic.
I love the water, especially at the gold pans. Love the smooth rocks in the water flow.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: redzed on October 26, 2008, 11:50:46 PM
fantastic bit of scenery :-*
The colourings are outstanding.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Ray Rivers on October 27, 2008, 02:40:38 AM
 :-*

Wow... certainly you're not go to PLAY with that?

I'd mount it in a showcase and it would never see a tabletop in my lifetime.

Great work.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: bandit86 on October 27, 2008, 05:09:36 AM
That really is outstand work :-* :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: imurdentist on October 27, 2008, 05:57:37 AM
This is awesome!
Must be the best scenery I've seen in a very long time!  :-*
I love the water effect! Mind telling us, what you have used?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: hohlinger on October 27, 2008, 06:12:35 AM

Absolutely stunning work!!!  :-* :-* :-*
As "Ray Rivers" said it should rather go in a showcase than on a tabletop ...  ;)

Can you tell me if the tree and the laundry are from Minddragon/Snapdragon Studios???
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: white knight on October 27, 2008, 08:24:10 AM
Can't find any superlatives that haven't been used yet, but it is just amazing. Painting is exceptional and realistic too. If I come to crisis, can I buy this model afterwards?  ;D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Malamute on October 27, 2008, 08:36:33 AM
Outstanding piece of work. I think the best I have seen. ;D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Paul Hicks on October 27, 2008, 08:53:45 AM
Amazing!

Cannot wait to this at Crisis.

Paul
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: vikotnik on October 27, 2008, 09:08:09 AM
Benbow, I have been following this thread with great interest.


After seeing the pics with the painted lanscape, I have to say again that You are one of the true(and few!) MASTERS. This is outstanding. The coulour You have used on the rock formations make this already superbly constructed table a true work of art.

Thanks for sharing these inspiring pics! :)

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Terrible Tim on October 27, 2008, 09:28:19 AM
The level of painting, modeling and scenery building on this forum is fantastic....Sir Benbow (for I am sure you will be knighted for this) you have risen the standard to unattainable level for us mortals. May you and your scenery live forever! I salute you. You are a master and the rest of us are your humble students  o_o .

TT.

p.s. Don't damage it in transit, to and from Crisis.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: cianty on October 27, 2008, 11:19:10 AM
Wow, this is almost too good to be real! I mean, it looks so real it's too... whatever. Words fail me in the light of your talent. *huge thumbs up*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on October 27, 2008, 12:07:47 PM
Friends, I'm overwhelmed by your very nice comments and thank you all; I'm really glad you like the painted piece as I was quite unsure about the finish. Sometimes when you work on something for such a long time you get some kind of limited vision on the subject, no longer being able to decide if it is a success or not.

Some short answers to your questions:

@Ray Rivers: sure I will play with it!  8) That's not the problem, as I will definitely be VERY cautious with my creation. Alarming is the idea, that OTHER people will game around it ...  lol Seriously, I tried to build it as strongly a possible, and during the past years at shows I never had any major issues with people damaging my stuff. Hope that will continue ...  :-I

@imurdentist: modelling the running water was no great alchemy, you just need to know what products will work. I started with my hot glue gun and glued some small strings of the hot stuff from the ground up to the end of the water trough to get a reliable support for the tiny "waterfall". For step 2 I used a railroad modelling product called "NOCH 2K Wasser-Gel" which is a clear two-component epoxy for creating realistic water effects. It's very easy to work with, and depending on the time you let it cure before dropping it to your landscape, you can create smooth ponds, running streams or even small waterfalls, and you can even use it over polystyrene of all sorts! I used it to create the running water down the Long Johns and for the ground water. After curing time of about 24 hours, I added as step 3 some standard clear 2-part-epoxy with a toothpick to those areas where the water would swirl and splash to the ground and pocked it around until it was nearly cured. These areas got some tiny amounts of light grey to white acrylic colour to simulate some froth and crests. A final coat of gloss varnish over the painted areas finished the water.

@hohlinger: you're correct, the standing tree stump and laundry building are both resin pieces from Snapdragon Studios. The prone tree piece is from Grendel, if I recall correctly.

@white knight: sure you can buy it  8). I'll buy you a drink at the show and we could work out details. Just be prepared to have larger amounts of cash ready for the deal ...  :-*

@all: the painting process seems to be of interest for some of you, so I try to summarize it as good as I can. It all started with a generous coat of a flat yellowish/ocre acrylic colour from a spray can to bring all the different materials together. Then I selected up to ten different earth tones from different acrylic colour brands ranging from Miniature Paints over Ral Partha and Vallejos to Lukas and even Tamiya, and tones from dark earth, ocres, greenish tints and reddish browns, just everything that looks good to simulate rock and earth. I started to wash the recesses and shady areas several times with different tones, working over to larger areas with lighter shades and then integrated the red rock parts. It seems to be essential not to overdue the reds, and to blend each area to the next by using a fresh brush with some clear water, so to say painting wet-on-wet like with oil colours. After that I started to dry-brush everything with lighter tones and using near white colours in the end, but I think the secret to successfully drybrushing such a large piece is not to do all areas over with one colour, but to use different tones here and there and so to avoid dull looking (chalky white) areas. It's not easy to explain as so much guessing and intuitive painting is involved, but I hope you get the great picture. And of course I used some paintings by great masters like Frank McCarthy as inspiration and pattern to orientate for the correct colours of real rock formations of the West.

I'm looking forward of meeting some of you "in the flesh" at the Crisis show, just contact me at the THS "Mexico" display/table.


Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: argsilverson on October 27, 2008, 12:41:34 PM
Yes the painted one is wonderfully awful! It desrves to stand in a museum!

Alas, I will not see "in flesh", since I am unable to travel to Crisis.

Wish you good gaming with it.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Regulator on October 27, 2008, 01:01:01 PM
Boring, and that meant good  ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: imurdentist on October 27, 2008, 06:58:55 PM
Thanks! Might try your method, sounds easy to do  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: Bako on October 27, 2008, 07:08:43 PM
Beautiful, just absolutely beautiful.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: cianty on October 27, 2008, 11:23:05 PM
Thanks for the how-tos! I'll have to try the water effect sometime soon. It's perfect.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 5 update with new pics!)
Post by: uti long smile on October 28, 2008, 10:59:03 PM
Amazing! A superb piece!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 the finish!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on November 06, 2008, 03:30:27 PM
Yesterday evening the last miniature was glued to the scene, and tomorrow morning I'll drive to Antwerp for the Crisis show, so with one spare day in between that seems to be pretty good planning ...!  lol

During drying times of the last painted miniatures and detail parts I added two variants of grass tufts from MiniNatur to some places to get some more colour variation (some green to all the browns). To speed up painting I used that en vogue ArmyPainters stuff, but instead of dipping the miniatures the tinted varnish was just brushed on, having more control about the thickness of the layer. I'm quite convinced by that medium, as it helps deepen the shades a little bit, is quick for finishing faces and hands and is a gloss varnish on top, so a real time saver when used properly. So here are the pics of the finished terrain piece with complete working crew:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_10_59_29_0.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_10_59_30_1.jpg)

I did a fun picture with a very nice background photo, which is just very small unfortunately; I really need to get some widescreen landscape calenders this year ...  :P

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_11_06_34.jpg)

Now for some detail shots: Old Zedekiah comes from a long shift in the mine, it's time for a good meal (bacon & beans as usual) and a bottle of whisky ( o_o )

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_10_59_31_4.jpg)

Hung Lee collected all the dirty clothes around (he's famous for this new kind of business service) and is going for another long washing session this night ... Hhm, seems to be tired already  ???

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_11_12_14_0.jpg)

And now the stars of the miner's show, the working class people themselves, with Big Jimmy Hong pulling the heavy ore carts, gaunt Sunset Carson at the shovel and Lane "Gent" Burnette relaxing with the pick:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_11_12_15_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_11_12_16_2.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_11_12_16_3.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/93_05_11_08_11_12_17_4.jpg)

That's it for this project. It was much fun planning and building it over the last four months, and I had as much fun showing it here and reading all your nice and supporting comments. Thank you all very much, and a special thanks to Alex for inventing this place!

Auf zu neuen Ufern!

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Operator5 on November 06, 2008, 04:02:00 PM
 :o :o :o :o :o

Out-friggin'-standing!!!

What a beautiful piece. I can't believe the detail of it.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on November 06, 2008, 04:30:37 PM
A fitting end to a stunning, gold standard project.
Good luck at Crisis. I'm sure you'll get loads of plaudits, and they'll all be richly deserved!
The devil may be in the detail, but the angels are there too.
Anyone who goes as far as making 28mm scale bacon rashers and baked beans (!) in a 28mm scale frying pan, is worth all the praise they get!

Gorgeous.

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: aircav on November 06, 2008, 04:38:31 PM
 :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-*

All i can say is: That is Bloody Brilliant


Keith  :D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Malamute on November 06, 2008, 04:46:05 PM
:-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-*

All i can say is: That is Bloody Brilliant


Keith  :D

I think he likes it..... ;)

With the figures in situ it looks even better, if that can be possible. ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: cianty on November 06, 2008, 07:09:30 PM
Freaking unbelievable! This is simply perfect. Awesome work! Thanks a lot for sharing it. Following this thread has been a great pleasure.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Calimero on November 06, 2008, 07:26:11 PM
Freaking unbelievable! This is simply perfect. Awesome work! Thanks a lot for sharing it. Following this thread has been a great pleasure.

Yep that's true. A perfect terrain piece!  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on November 06, 2008, 09:18:32 PM
In my quest to become the most talented terrain maker and miniature painter of our time I've just realized I won't get there on my own merits. I will have to start killing off those ahead of me. I will start at the top and kill Benbow dead first. And mangle his mine with a large stone. And strew salt in the styrofoam wreckage what is left.  >:(
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on November 06, 2008, 10:15:57 PM
 lol lol lol

Hammers, please stop - you've got me, I'm a laughing and giggling wreck already!

 lol o_o lol
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: BigMecha on November 06, 2008, 11:20:29 PM
IT IS AN OUTSTANDING 10!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on November 07, 2008, 11:24:23 AM
I can't really add much to all the previous praise, except that the photo acts as a perfect backdrop to your model and shows just how accurately you have modelled and painted the rocks.

You really should send in a condensed version of your "WIP" to one of the wargames magazines and earn yourself a bit of cash to help fund the next project!

I'm sure it will be published to great acclaim - just look at Malamute's Victorian London spread in "Wargames Illustrated" for proof :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: tsar1701 on November 07, 2008, 12:09:38 PM
:-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-* :o :-*

All i can say is: That is Bloody Brilliant


Keith  :D

same thing ...
now, I'm sure, I've to commit suicide  ;)

Great great work Admiral Benbow !!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Driscoles on November 07, 2008, 12:27:34 PM
This is a real beauty. An awesome peace of art.
I like the rocks the best. But its not fair to pick special spots. The whole thing is just great.
Björn
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: bandit86 on November 08, 2008, 08:59:31 AM
This has to be one of the most enjoyable projects I have watched. Great job and thanks.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Le matou rouge on November 08, 2008, 11:29:39 AM
 :-*

This is a real beauty. An awesome peace of art.
I like the rocks the best. But its not fair to pick special spots. The whole thing is just great.
Björn

Can't say better !

meow,
Matt
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: rob_alderman on November 09, 2008, 03:33:11 AM
That is truely awesome.
Really big thumbs up, did White Knight buy it in the end? lol
I'm amazed you would part with something like that.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: white knight on November 09, 2008, 08:14:54 AM
No, I didn't, but only because my budget won't allow it. :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: rob_alderman on November 09, 2008, 12:48:38 PM
I know that feeling all too well mate.  :(
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Darkoath on November 09, 2008, 11:08:54 PM
That was really incredible! :-*

I would love to see some photographs of it in action along with the rest of your game table!

How many hours would you say the project took you for building the mine and painting the figures used with it?

This project just blew me away... and thank you for the nice how too's... :D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: bandit86 on November 10, 2008, 04:52:12 AM
Its unfortunate that the game the Admiral has in mind to play has to due with a mine cave in  ohhhhhh noooooooo :o :o so much for that piece   lol lol lol  just kidding >:D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on November 10, 2008, 09:13:36 AM
I would love to see some photographs of it in action along with the rest of your game table!
How many hours would you say the project took you for building the mine and painting the figures used with it?

Including painting all the miniatures and detail parts, building and painting the stage coach including crew and planning the project I would guess I needed around 100 - 120 hours from late July to early November, working only in the evenings and on rare occasions at the weekend.

Photos of the game in action at Crisis are in preparation and will probably get their first appearance at our club's site www.ths-wargames.de (http://www.ths-wargames.de) shortly.

And this topic would not be complete without mentioning,

that our club (again) won the first place trophy for Best Participation Game Crisis 2008 for "Once upon a time in Mexico"!

We must be lucky ... 
lol :D lol
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Paul Hicks on November 10, 2008, 09:31:49 AM
I saw this table at Crisis and it was truly amazing. The painting was just top class, what sood out for me the most was the painting of the rock from the gold mine. The table was just a joy to look at.

Well earned award.

Paul
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Dez on November 11, 2008, 12:23:25 AM
It is possible the house "worker", for game to make.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on November 11, 2008, 01:46:39 PM
It is possible the house "worker", for game to make.

Pardon???  ???
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: twrchtrwyth on November 11, 2008, 02:05:10 PM
It is possible the house "worker", for game to make.

Pardon???  ???
Is the figure for sale?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on November 11, 2008, 03:36:25 PM
It is possible the house "worker", for game to make.

Pardon???  ???
Is the figure for sale?

Oh, another one wants to tell me something - but what?  ::)

Which figure is for sale?
Who wants to buy something?
Please try to work out full sentences as clearly as possible.  8)

Or is it a quiz?

 :D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: twrchtrwyth on November 11, 2008, 04:40:30 PM
It is possible the house "worker", for game to make.

Pardon???  ???
Is the figure for sale?

Oh, another one wants to tell me something - but what?  ::)

Which figure is for sale?
Who wants to buy something?
Please try to work out full sentences as clearly as possible.  8)

Or is it a quiz?

 :D
Cheeky! ::)

I was trying to say I think Dez was asking if the figure outside the laundry, (house), was for sale so he could use it in a game. (2 points for a correct answer. lol)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on November 11, 2008, 06:42:59 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on November 11, 2008, 08:20:08 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on November 11, 2008, 09:46:30 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)

Very droll...  ;)

By the way, did I miss something? What's happened to your 'hield'?  ???

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on November 12, 2008, 04:28:25 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

Weeell, that maybe, Captain, in fact I thought in that direction myself, but now I came to another conclusion:

Dez must be a descendant of one of the Monty Python guys, I guess the nephew of John Cleese or something like that. That's because I can't think about any other person asking me about selling a single painted miniature out of the just finished gold mine! Hey, anybody out there to buy one of the water troughs? Or maybe the mine entrance? I think I can break it out of the hill, I promise to be careful ...

 o_o  ;)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on November 12, 2008, 05:24:57 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)

Very droll...  ;)

By the way, did I miss something? What's happened to your 'hield'?  ???



It fell off at a speed bump.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Malamute on November 12, 2008, 05:28:20 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)

Very droll...  ;)

By the way, did I miss something? What's happened to your 'hield'?  ???



It fell off at a speed bump.

The poor lads clearly not well. That trip to Blighty has seriously unbalanced him... .. Just what did go on at the Travelodge on those nights after the games... ::)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on November 12, 2008, 05:39:12 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)

Very droll...  ;)

By the way, did I miss something? What's happened to your 'hield'?  ???



It fell off at a speed bump.

The poor lads clearly not well. That trip to Blighty has seriously unbalanced him... .. Just what did go on at the Travelodge on those nights after the games... ::)

Well, since you are getting personal, I might as well tell ya', you are not far off the bat.  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Malamute on November 12, 2008, 06:02:26 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)

Very droll...  ;)

By the way, did I miss something? What's happened to your 'hield'?  ???



It fell off at a speed bump.

The poor lads clearly not well. That trip to Blighty has seriously unbalanced him... .. Just what did go on at the Travelodge on those nights after the games... ::)

Well, since you are getting personal, I might as well tell ya', you are not far off the bat.  :)

Oh you can't stop there, pray tell us dear boy what unfortunate incident befell you ???
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on November 12, 2008, 06:30:43 PM
I think Dez may be in Russia (?) and using translation software that doesn't work very well!  ;)

That's what I always thought about you. Even after we met. ;)

Very droll...  ;)

By the way, did I miss something? What's happened to your 'hield'?  ???



It fell off at a speed bump.

The poor lads clearly not well. That trip to Blighty has seriously unbalanced him... .. Just what did go on at the Travelodge on those nights after the games... ::)

Well, since you are getting personal, I might as well tell ya', you are not far off the bat.  :)

Oh you can't stop there, pray tell us dear boy what unfortunate incident befell you ???

...

*pause*

...

You know, in a way this place has always been a 'Dear Abby' (Americanism, innit?) to me but, while tempting, it is a bit much to ask to exposing the whole array of forces thwarting my existance in a public post. Come an visit me at "Ye Ruddy Ol' 'n Picturesque Tavern" in Visby, Gotland, Sweden, and i'll give you an earful. I'll even throw in a fork full of fresh straw for you in the stables to sleep in afterwards.

EDIT: Sorry, we're severely digressing here. Back to the Gold Mine...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: commissarmoody on November 12, 2008, 07:51:24 PM
What the duce!?!!?  o_o
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: twrchtrwyth on November 12, 2008, 10:51:49 PM
What the duce!?!!?  o_o
You should hear them after they've had a few. lol

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: gamer Mac on November 13, 2008, 08:40:01 AM
Is Dez not asking where you got some of the figures on your mine.

Dez
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: gamer Mac on November 13, 2008, 08:44:02 AM
Sorry never finished that last post.

Dez
Try posting your questions in your own language. I am sure some of the amazing multi-lingual people on this forum will be able to translate. How about telling us where you are from?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Regulator on November 17, 2008, 05:54:14 PM
just nice!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: duhamel on June 24, 2009, 06:50:43 PM
That's it, I finally found him(it)!
I had seen this post, there is a small moment (when I was another guest) and I had said myself in the time(period) " wahoo it is great! " Then I am anxious to congratulate his(her) creator: BRAVO!!!  :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* ;D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Mac Finn on June 25, 2009, 04:20:53 AM
Even though its two pages from the pictures...

That is fantastic!!

Well done my friend  :D

Mac
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: thebinmann on August 06, 2013, 01:47:18 PM
STUNNING!
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: FramFramson on August 09, 2013, 06:06:39 AM
I never saw this originally, but I did drool over it when it was linked to recently.

Didn't want to engage in any necormancy, but seeing as binman's kindly bumped it already, I can add a GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY of my own. This one's right up there with the Star Fort, Admiral.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: The Voivod on August 09, 2013, 09:30:40 AM
looks amazing.
This is a cool thread to read through. Love those start to finish threads.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on August 09, 2013, 11:07:25 AM
I never tire of looking at this. One of the all-time classic LAF projects :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: thebinmann on August 09, 2013, 11:24:22 AM
Hi

I was wondering if there were any oictures from Crisis 2008?

Cheers
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: beefcake on April 16, 2015, 09:09:55 PM
Very impressive build here. Well done Admiral. (Had to resurrect the thread for those that haven't seen it yet, it is amazing)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Constable Bertrand on April 16, 2015, 10:53:52 PM
It is splendid isn't it  :-*  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: FifteensAway on April 17, 2015, 01:52:00 AM
Yes, very nice work.

But I want to coin a term for reigniting old threads:  Threaderic.
Whaddya think?   ;)  Better than thread-nemocracy, or at least I think so.

Now how to differentiate between bringing life to a worthy old thread, like this one, or digging up something better left buried?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Poiter50 on April 17, 2015, 01:58:32 AM
Interesting that this is the second resurrection of this thread. Obviously it is worthy, I went back and read the original posts again from start to finish. I'm tempted to get the Ainsty mine at some stage. I think I have the figures although they currently reside with a friend who is doing some painting for me in exchange for some buildings that were surplus to requirements.

Yes, very nice work.

But I want to coin a term for reigniting old threads:  Threaderic.
Whaddya think?   ;)  Better than thread-nemocracy, or at least I think so.

Now how to differentiate between bringing life to a worthy old thread, like this one, or digging up something better left buried?
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Mason on April 17, 2015, 08:25:18 AM
This thread is pure inspiration.
A true stunner.
 :-* :-*

Thanks to Captain Blood for mentioning it and Beefcake for resurrecting it to gawp at all over again.
 :D

It's rebirth also gives me good reason to put off building a mine of my own as this is now too fresh in the memories of the membership for me to even contemplate attempting one now.
  ;)

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on April 17, 2015, 08:36:21 AM
But I want to coin a term for reigniting old threads:  Threaderic.
Whaddya think?   ;)  Better than thread-nemocracy, or at least I think so.

Now how to differentiate between bringing life to a worthy old thread, like this one, or digging up something better left buried?

lol nice idea. 'Threadomancy' does sound a bit perjorative. Maybe 'Threadsurrection' would be better - where it's done for good reason.
It is undoubtedly one of the drawbacks of internet forums like this, that the occasional stupendously good, showcase standard gems (like this one) inevitably and inexorably sink down the boards until eventually they are lost from sight, along with all the more workaday and trivial contributions :(

The LAF moderator team have discussed this more than once, but it's a difficult thing. Because (as per your second point FifteensAway) - if you're going to create some kind of 'hall of fame' of the very best projects, who gets to choose? One man's meat is another man's poison. I know exactly the threads which have blown me away over the years, and which would make my top 10 or 20 all time greats. But not everyone would agree.
So maybe the occasional bit of spontaneous threadsurrection (or threaderic!) to deliberately bring rare, hidden jewels back up from the depths, is no bad thing :)

It's rebirth also gives me good reason to put off building a mine of my own as this is now too fresh in the memories of the membership for me to even contemplate attempting one now.
;)

Don't you dare say that Paolo! Upsheet Creek is the best Old West town I've seen, and needs, nay deserves, a gold mine of its own! You are up to the challenge. I believe in you daddy.
:)

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: rumacara on April 17, 2015, 11:55:19 AM
 :-* :-* :-*
No words except beautifull terrain.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on April 18, 2015, 07:31:24 PM
Seven years already ... time's flying away.

Problem with large terrain pieces like this is they are mostly stored away. I think we had two or three games around it since then. But anyway, it was lots of fun to build!  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: FifteensAway on April 25, 2015, 04:21:01 AM
Okay, I like threadsurrection for the action and Threaderic for the one taking the action!   :D

Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Admiral Benbow on May 26, 2018, 08:31:01 PM
I'm currently working on this thread to restore all the missing pictures. Please see page 1 for a slightly longer explanation ...  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: OSHIROmodels on May 26, 2018, 08:42:02 PM
Excellent  8)

Thank you taking the time to alter the images  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Captain Blood on May 26, 2018, 08:46:33 PM
Wonderful Michael. Great to see it back. One of the all time great LAF projects  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: duhamel on May 26, 2018, 08:51:46 PM
happy to see him again  :D
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: gamer Mac on May 26, 2018, 10:13:30 PM
happy to see him again  :D
Me too
Great project
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Dr DeAth on May 27, 2018, 05:53:42 AM
Outstanding  :-* 
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Malamute on May 27, 2018, 07:10:01 AM
Great to see this again
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on May 28, 2018, 08:34:07 AM
lol nice idea. 'Threadomancy' does sound a bit perjorative. Maybe 'Threadsurrection' would be better - where it's done for good reason.
It is undoubtedly one of the drawbacks of internet forums like this, that the occasional stupendously good, showcase standard gems (like this one) inevitably and inexorably sink down the boards until eventually they are lost from sight, along with all the more workaday and trivial contributions :(

The LAF moderator team have discussed this more than once, but it's a difficult thing. Because (as per your second point FifteensAway) - if you're going to create some kind of 'hall of fame' of the very best projects, who gets to choose? One man's meat is another man's poison. I know exactly the threads which have blown me away over the years, and which would make my top 10 or 20 all time greats. But not everyone would agree.
So maybe the occasional bit of spontaneous threadsurrection (or threaderic!) to deliberately bring rare, hidden jewels back up from the depths, is no bad thing :)

Don't you dare say that Paolo! Upsheet Creek is the best Old West town I've seen, and needs, nay deserves, a gold mine of its own! You are up to the challenge. I believe in you daddy.
:)

I bring my old corpses back to life by occasionally adding a small tidbit. Sneaky, I know, but to me most of my projects are really never really dead.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Captain Blood on May 28, 2018, 10:04:46 AM
I bring my old corpses back to life by occasionally adding a small tidbit. Sneaky, I know, but to me most of my projects are really never really dead.

I operate on the same principle. I have around 10 extant, long running projects that I just add to when the mood takes me  :)
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine (part 6 new pics!)
Post by: Hammers on May 28, 2018, 10:50:12 AM
I operate on the same principle. I have around 10 extant, long running projects that I just add to when the mood takes me  :)

I know, and I am grateful that you do. I, to, now and then go back to a few LAF hallmark projects and battle reports to gather inspiration and remind myself what to strive for. Sometimes you I need a reminder what they were.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: horridperson on May 30, 2018, 03:09:06 AM
This is amazing.  Thank you to whoever resurfaced it so it could be appreciated.  This is the kind of "set" that makes me want to give Old West games a go so badly.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Keith on October 30, 2018, 09:41:10 PM
Just felt appropriate to drop a comment in here on the more or less 10th (!!!) anniversary of this project’s completion.

Still one of my absolute favourites - a real classic.





Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Panama on October 31, 2018, 09:08:57 AM
A work of art, I can find no other words.
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: thebinmann on October 31, 2018, 04:26:36 PM
Just felt appropriate to drop a comment in here on the more or less 10th (!!!) anniversary of this project’s completion.

Still one of my absolute favourites - a real classic.

Oh agreed, but then the Admiral is an absolute legend and has been inpsiring me since the Zoids work and the WD centerfolds....

And this is one of the threads I will never tire of rereading...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Axebreaker on November 18, 2018, 07:50:25 PM
Wow! This is superb to say the least! :o

Christopher
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on November 18, 2018, 09:34:23 PM
So glad you restored the pictures. A real inspirational work.   :-*   :-*   :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: thebinmann on October 08, 2020, 06:54:05 AM
Time for the new memebers to have a look at this classic

It's all great, but the money shot is here

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=7443.msg92730#msg92730
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on October 08, 2020, 07:59:52 AM
A stunning piece of work on every level.  :o :-* :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Galloping Major on October 08, 2020, 08:27:00 AM
Superb  :o Great source of inspiration/aspirations  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: syrinx0 on October 17, 2020, 03:31:52 AM
As impressive now as it was then.  Beautiful details.  :-*
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Monty on October 18, 2020, 07:09:08 AM
That is indeed one of the most sublime hobby projects I've ever seen!  :-*

Unfortunately I haven't had the honour to see this legendary piece of craftsmanship and art physically yet but it was wonderful to follow the process of its creation. Frankly I thought this threat was one of the LAF's lost treasures...
Title: Re: WIP - The Gold Mine - RESTORED PICTURES
Post by: Cacique Caribe on October 18, 2020, 09:12:01 AM
That superb-looking mine entrance is PERFECT for my plans!  :)

Dan
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=121801.0