Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Ballardian on December 10, 2018, 01:16:49 PM
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I've recently found myself in need of some larger than normal gamemats, and as the commercial versions over 6x4 tend towards the expensive I thought I'd have a bash at making some.
I was going for a fairly simple approach: some large heavy cotton/canvas decorators dropcloths covered in a (fairly thin) mix of latex caulk & sand (then either covered in static grass/flock or just painted) before a final coat or two of thinned PVA.
I have a couple of questions:
How robust a mat is this approach likely to produce? &,
Can you roll them up for storage? (or is that likely to encourage the caulk & dropcloth to part company?)
Many thanks for all advice :)
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I've made a cloth using the method you describe, although I used material rather than drop cloths, the sort they make fleece tops out of, not sure what it's called.
It is very robust and there have been no problems with storing it rolled around a piece of plastic piping.
So long as you don't make the caulking too thick you should be ok. I suggest you just experiment with a few small pieces.
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This is the method that I used. No sand just texture. I found the trick is in the first layer of caulk. Spread it into the grain of the canvas and let that set. That will give the next layer something to adhere to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtRMoIZfPPg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtRMoIZfPPg)
I can fold mine and regularly leave them in the terrain box to bring to the club. Mine have been in constant use for five years with no ill effect. They just need to be unfolded once in a while so they do not crease and leave ridges in the mat. From what I understand added sand and flock will eventually come off.
Hope this helps.
Snitchy sends.
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Thanks for the replies, given the relative cheapness of what I've planned, I'll try one with & one without sand & see how they stand up, cheers :)
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I've just finished making one (calico cloth, caulk, sand added on top, thin layer of watered down PVA, paint). The sand I used was "sharp sand" which has more little stones in and I've found that some of the larger ones of those are tending to come off - not in large quantities, nor that you'd particularly notice. The sand itself is absolutely rock-solid. The whole thing rolls up easily with no problems.
Next time, I'll use silver sand for most of the cloth with just some patches of sharp sand for variety.
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I'm planning on doing one as well. Just wondering at what point would you add static grass? I was thinking of doing it after the caulk has set and been dry brushed, by the sounds of it thin PVA shouldn't be a problem.
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Roberto - I would think it would be best if the flock/static grass were added while the caulk were still sticky enough to grab onto it - the PVA is just to add another layer of protection (I forgot to mention that I planned to put all the caulk in a bucket & add plenty of cheap dark brown paint before smearing it over the dropcloths - also don't forget to weigh them down at the edges or they'll likely roll up as the caulk dries).
An alternative to static grass/flock could be wood flour (extremely fine sawdust) - it can be dyed - if you can get hold of it easily.
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Roberto - I would think it would be best if the flock/static grass were added while the caulk were still sticky enough to grab onto it - the PVA is just to add another layer of protection (I forgot to mention that I planned to put all the caulk in a bucket & add plenty of cheap dark brown paint before smearing it over the dropcloths - also don't forget to weigh them down at the edges or they'll likely roll up as the caulk dries).
An alternative to static grass/flock could be wood flour (extremely fine sawdust) - it can be dyed - if you can get hold of it easily.
Don't forget you can buy decorators caulk precoloured brown for not much more than the plain white stuff.
I've added Javis Fine Turf scatter to my mat, as my experiments with static grass resulted in flattened grass when the mat had been stored rolled.
(http://javis.co.uk/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/cfcfa688d8dfb5416b67a44ff7bfaba2.jpg)
http://javis.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=1372&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2 (http://javis.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=1372&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2)
Here's a shot of my mat in use in one of our old west games
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/1512-260418171257-325191521.jpeg)