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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: Nordic1980s on January 07, 2020, 01:53:22 PM

Title: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Nordic1980s on January 07, 2020, 01:53:22 PM

Now that UK is about to leave EU, what are the continental European sources for sea moss aka sea foam and rubberised horsehair, if any? I recall there being a Belgian or Dutch modelling webshop that sold this stuff in boxes couple of years ago, but couldn't find it any more by internet searches. Am thankful for any help in this regard. Could find some Italian eBay sellers, but would love to order from a non-eBay/non-PayPal webshop if possible. The materials in question are used to make miniature trees (https://daggerandbrush.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/how-to-make-realistic-wargaming-trees/).

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Jemima Fawr on January 07, 2020, 01:56:25 PM

For rubberised horsehair, DON'T go to specialist wargames-suppliers.  Instead find your local saddlemaker or upholstery-restorer and ask for offcuts.  I've never paid a penny for the stuff.

Same goes for magnetic vinyl - either ask your local signwriter for offcuts or order direct from a magnet manufacturer.  I find that the wargames specialist mark-up is about 5x the price of dealing direct.

Something else to consider is that there is suddenly something of a boom in rubberised horsehair as a packing material, due to the move away from single-use plastics. 

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Nordic1980s on January 07, 2020, 02:23:51 PM

Quote from: Jemima Fawr on January 07, 2020, 01:56:25 PM

For rubberised horsehair, DON'T go to specialist wargames-suppliers.  Instead find your local saddlemaker or upholstery-restorer and ask for offcuts.  I've never paid a penny for the stuff.

Thanks for the tips! In northern Europe the rubberised horsehair is impossible to come by, as it's not used for upholstery or padding. (Not sure what saddles are filled with, if locally manufactured at all.)

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Jemima Fawr on January 07, 2020, 06:29:04 PM

Quote from: Nordic1980s on January 07, 2020, 02:23:51 PM

Thanks for the tips! In northern Europe the rubberised horsehair is impossible to come by, as it's not used for upholstery or padding. (Not sure what saddles are filled with, if locally manufactured at all.)

Sorry, what I was referring to are the restorers of old and antique furniture.  They typically use rubberised horsehair as it's the traditional stuffing.  All the saddlers I know use kapok and rubberised horsehair (the brown/orange/black kapok is great for artillery strikes... ;) ).

We also used to get perspex aircraft canopies delivered in rubberised horsehair, as it didn't cause problems with static electricity, unlike polystyrene.  I don't know if this is still the case, though.

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Ninefingers on January 08, 2020, 07:46:44 AM

Find a model railway supplier that stocks Noch, they produce it.

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: bluewillow on January 08, 2020, 06:21:51 PM

sea moss both Noch model railway suppliers, and a company in Portugal sell it online

cheers
Matt

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Nordic1980s on January 10, 2020, 03:51:23 PM

Many thanks Jemima, Ninefingers and bluewillow for the tips, was not aware of Noch selling sea moss. Had not heard of this kapok material either! :)

Title: Re: Sea moss or sea foam in continental Europe
Post by: Nordic1980s on January 10, 2020, 09:25:35 PM

Ah, found what I looked for in the first message - Diodump (https://www.diodump.com/diorama-scenery)! Thanks anyways to all who replied with suggestions.