Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => "Build Something" Archiv => Topic started by: pistolpete on April 11, 2021, 04:37:33 PM
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I’ve never joined a build contest and need some more terrain so why not use this as motivation.
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Since lots of folks are posting previous work, I thought I’d do the same. I’m leaning towards some jungle terrain pieces, maybe a rope bridge across some cliffs. Here’s some I’ve done in the past with aquarium plants, lichen, flock, herbs on mdf. For this I’ll make some bigger pieces with some trees, pathway, or a trap. I generally paint the bases first but I’ll try to do it afterwards.
(https://i.imgur.com/npv3iSO.jpg)
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I look forward to seeing your creation - a rope bridge sounds like an excellent idea
:)
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Not sure how this whole contest works so I’m using this as the WIP thread.
I typically just wing it when making terrain with only a general idea but since everyone here is talented and it’s a competition, I’ll have to be a bit more serious but i also want to challenge myself. So literally a napkin plan.
(https://i.imgur.com/gp5QXfW.jpg)
I play pulp alley which is usually on a 3x3 ft board. A couple of cliffs with a rope bridge over 8” so it’ll take two movements to get across. Cliffs will be about 7” tall along table edge. Never used resin so might do a couple swamp/bog pools and a stream. Might change that to a jungle hill. Next step is cutting out some paper footprints for size and shape.
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Pete the only improvement that I can suggest is that next time use a bar napkin lol Some of the best projects start that way.
Lon
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I literally sketched my plan on the plastic card that was going to be the base of my BSC project, so a napkin is a distinct step up!
Looking forward to this, as a fellow Pulp Alley fan!
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Next was rough cut some foamcore for size and shape. I also like some modularity so this step allowed some looks at alternative placements.
(https://i.imgur.com/YZifvS6.jpg)
I’m a little nervous about the height though, both from a construction side as well as the storage prospect. She who must be obeyed has not yet been informed so I reserve the option of changing.
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Insulation foam stacked for rough shape. I thought i got 1.5” thick but it’s only 1”. Downside, more cuts, more seams. Upside, easy to figure height, less left over.
(https://i.imgur.com/FTaB92D.jpg)
Just have to wait for glue to dry before cutting cliff faces.
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I like the many layers of 1" insulation foam- I think that is going to look great once all carved up. I built a jungle table with a small cliff myself for Pulp Alley so I'm excited to watch this project.
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More rough cuts. Good thing garbage day is tomorrow.
(https://i.imgur.com/owIhcXd.jpg)
If it’s nice tomorrow i will do some sanding.
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Good work, it’s really beginning to take shape already.
:)
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Added some stratification and some ledges so adventurers can get to the top. Pulp alley has perilous and difficult terrain so this has elements of both. I think the cutting part is done so next is some texture. Undercuts for the ledges was awkward but I like how it turned out. in hindsight I should have made those at the beginning before glueing the stack.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZAV6hhN.jpg)
Figures by lucid eye and pulp alley.
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Pound some rocks to get some texture.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZsiKsYB.jpg)
I’m interested to see how this turns out after sealing with spackle or grout.
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Looking very good!
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I like that texture you have from the rock pounding.
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That is looking rather good already :)
I think I’d go easy with the grout, because it’s already got quite a nice, rocky-looking texture, without any overlay. On the other hand, some concealment of the joins between layers would probably help blend it all together.
Good work.
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Really starting to come together :-* :-* :-*
How are you going to make the rope bridge?
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I’d agree with Richard and go easy on the grouting, it’s already beginning to look much more rocklike
:)
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@gamermac I will be posting bridge work here so stay tuned. It’s something I’ve done before.
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Unbelievable but the local home depot is out of mdf so not able to work on basing the cliffs. These are bigger than I expected and having them on opposite edges could be an option. So i worked on a couple of rope bridges. Some dollhouse fencing from michael’s and a few nails.
First, as planned being in a corner
(https://i.imgur.com/0rrfD7F.jpg)
Then the option of across middle
(https://i.imgur.com/A3m7QlK.jpg)
In case you’re wondering about those rings, they will be for some washers to hold the nails in place using neodymium magnets.
Not sure on the ruling if they would count as 2 or 1 since only a single bridge could be in use at a time.
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Oh, I like these cliffs, and the picket fence bridges are brilliant! I can already picture Danny Dravot singing!
Any chance of a photo with a miniature on the bridge for scale?
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@willbailie absolutely, once I get the washers and magnets set up.
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... the picket fence bridges are brilliant!
|I agree- genius!
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Love the bridges - great idea 8)
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Starting the work on seal, filler. Never used the pink, dry white version before. It feels a bit rubbery compared to the regular plain white. I didn’t go too far because I want see how it affects the rock texture once it dries. I might just fill the seams if it’s obscuring the details too much.
(https://i.imgur.com/htbUw8i.jpg)
Still have to get some 1/4” mdf for basing. Who knew it would be such a hassle.
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So the washers i got weren’t magnetic like the one i had at the time of testing. So a quick trip to Michael’s for some larger neodymium magnets instead of washers. Some liquid nails and spackled filled gaps later....preview of bridge with figures by reaper and pulp alley/statueseque.
(https://i.imgur.com/CDKcdPU.jpg)
Will do the wider bridge today. I’m debating on next step for sealing - use spackle like before, or use watered down grout (i saw on a train terrain video). AND I still need mdf! I’m also thinking about a river piece between the cliffs.
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I'd be tempted to try the watered down grout but only because I've used spackle before and experimenting is fun. :)
I’m also thinking about a river piece between the cliffs.
An excellent idea.
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That rope bridge really swashes my buckle 8)
Seriously though; that looks really evenly tied, so great work!
And obviously, the cliffs look excellent too... :D
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Those look great! Thrilling to see it all coming together. :-*
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@codsticker i like to try new things too and this whole endeavor is having me try new things or at least bigger. The more work i do the more excited i get to see how it’s going to end.
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Looking good :)
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Finally got some mdf so cut and bevel the bases. Haven’t glued the cliffs down yet because I need to paint the bottom of the bases. Yes i know it’s daft but it’s what I’ve done on some other pieces which turned out well so sticking with something that works for me.
(https://i.imgur.com/taIEemA.jpg)
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Coated one of the cliffs with watered down grout. I asked hammers about the coloring and got the ok so don’t think I’m breaking any rules. I saw a train terrain video but they never mentioned what or how on the grout part so i had to wing it. I used the pre-mixed grout and watered it down before brushing it in.
(https://i.imgur.com/o1JAqiB.jpg)
Lessons learned:
- less water than I thought to thin it down. Not sure if video used powder or premix and any ratios.
- have to keep stirring because grout sinks and thickened
- obscures some minor texture
- has a nice subtle sandy texture
Overall still not sure if I entirely like this method on this but since I started i have to keep it at this stage. The video i saw had large details out of seat cushions so there might be a scale, size factor for feasibility. I’ll know more once I start painting but for now, it is what it is.
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Well, if it's any consolation, it certainly looks like rock to me! I like it :)
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Thanks daoethar. It’s starting to grow on me too.
After doing the second cliff a couple more lessons:
- wear gloves. Grout is a pain to clean off skin.
- when mixing, use the brush. Seems like the sand grit sticks to the bristles and transferred better.
Next will be attaching to bases. Pretty simple, liquid nails and some weight, probably won’t post photo of that.
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Looks good :)
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Yeah, I like the colour and the texture.
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I had to get some more paint for the base boards and the back of the cliffs so went to the local home depot. I have been buying the sample sized versions which were great, cheap ($4), twist lid, small enough to keep on workbench. Unfortunately they stopped having them in various finishes, or types; they only have satin interior, no more flat, no eggshell, no matte, no gloss, no more primer+paint. So i asked and was told they discovered crafters were buying it and they wanted them to buy quarts or gallons instead. So I had to get quarts, at $14 each.
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Good work on the cliff...very realistic looking :)
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That works really well. Looking forward to seeing the next stages and the finished article in due course :)
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Thanks for all the feedback, really appreciate everyone following along. Got the bases attached with liquid nails. Lesson learned- make sure table is clean before adding weight so debris doesn’t implant on base bottoms. I didn’t want to spoil the reveal photo so taped out 3x3 (nevermind I don’t actually have a board or mat to start with) and arranged the layouts.
As originally thought in corner
(https://i.imgur.com/K0DqFee.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PxRoceq.jpg)
And laying out a rough idea for a river
(https://i.imgur.com/gf9PZS9.jpg)
And cross table view
(https://i.imgur.com/HJx6gZD.jpg)
I don’t like seams for rivers but i do like options for changing the direction,path and I have some ideas on how to accomplish both. I might change the river direction to go around the larger piece. So more planning, testing will be coming.
Overall I’m really liking how this is going.
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The rocks look really good. Well done :)
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Looking sharp! 8)
And I like the modularity you'll be achieving with this too!
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While the tape was fine for general ideas of the river, it proved a bit fiddly to try and transfer or reposition so had another idea. I cut up a garage bag and laid it out under the cliffs and drew the river using a silver sharpie. It allowed more fluid lines and super easy to make several changes. Once the path was chosen, used a pair of scissors to cut it out.
(https://i.imgur.com/A32vBzZ.jpg)
Then i got tired of having to reposition the cliffs between original corner and cross table...
(https://i.imgur.com/YtsIbmO.jpg)
so cut out some cardboard matching one of them so both placements could be used to check against the river simultaneously.
(https://i.imgur.com/f7aUg0E.jpg)
Then transferred the bag pattern to some 3mm sintra i had. And in a pure lucky chance, it was already 36” so one less cut. Again some layout designs with a pencil. Once chosen, pressed hard with a ballpoint pen as a guide for cutting with a utility knife.
(https://i.imgur.com/QQqQ5Ng.jpg)
Then final test for layout before beveling the edges.
(https://i.imgur.com/nksIcTW.jpg)
Word of caution working with sintra using dremel or sanding - it creates a LOT of dust so wear a mask, gloves, eyewear, and have a vacuum or air blower handy.
In hindsight i should have started with cardboard and the sintra for the layout. I don’t think I’ll have this one be in modular pieces as I couldn’t quite figure out the pieces and am already getting concerned about leaving enough time for painting.
Next is adding some small rocks as river edges and to the cliff bases.
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Sintra? ??? ???
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Your cliffs are looking great, nice texture!
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Added some stones to cliffs and as the river bank. My plan was doing the whole bank with stones but it’s going to take too long. I’ll have to research how to make rivers faster.
(https://i.imgur.com/TISTKxG.jpg)
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Typically I use spackle then cover with gravel and sand for bases but these are pretty large so tried something different. Still used the spackle but then dabbled it with a rough brush for some small texture.
(https://i.imgur.com/80X0r4X.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BsJF0jF.jpg)
Once it’s dry I’ll some gravel in a few places to break it up visually and give variety at painting stage.
Doing some research on making rivers i came across a video on “lay flat” river using clear sheet. Just so happens, we had a large dry cleaning bag, so i laid it out, trimmed it, and drew the river course. Not sure I’ll use that technique or not. Another video gave me some good color choices.
(https://i.imgur.com/1CBhjoB.jpg)
Still not entirely sure on how to proceed with the river but I’m pretty sure I’ll need more stones
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Spackle texturing looks good. I'm interested to see how the lay flat river turns out!
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Looks excellent so far and I can imagine many climactic encounters occurring on that bridge! Good luck with the river!
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This is starting to remind me of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
I like it a lot.
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Looking good :-* :-* :-*
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After several trials of the lay flat idea and another involving foamcore neither of which i was happy with. And since i feel time is getting away, will just have to carry on with quick, easy, cheap. So used pva glue and cat litter along the river banks. When that’s dry with add a little more and some rocks.
(https://i.imgur.com/whZZZph.jpg)
I do think there’s potential for the layflat river idea, just don’t have time to figure it out.
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That's a shame, but understandable. Just keep the idea filed for future reference... ;)
The new river looks good too though. Will you be pouring resin on top, or will you be using paint and gloss varnish?
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The new river looks good too though. Will you be pouring resin on top, or will you be using paint and gloss varnish?
I don’t think resin, most likely mog pog or something similar. Will have to try it out.
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Finished the river. Once the glue dries, will spray with watered down pva to hopefully seal it a little bit.
(https://i.imgur.com/FNvPFCp.jpg)
After that it’s on to the painting and details.
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Everything at painting stage; paint, dry brush, wash, repeat....all a bit mundane at this point but progress is being made. Sorry I can’t share but the rules are the rules. Wishing everyone the best of luck and looking forward to seeing all the final views.
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Cliffs done with paint. Did a test for the river using mod podge which did not work as well as i hoped, but using gel medium came out ok. Painted and gel’ed the river. Need to paint the bridges. I have been taking pictures as i go in case i want to post final stages. With time running out, I’m feeling a little pressure but i can make it. Worried about my photo skills though.
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Just realized I hadn’t posted to the gallery so i added my wip photos but some got rotated in the process not sure why. They’re fine in this thread.
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Final photo submitted.
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Final photo submitted.
Looking forward to seeing it painted :)
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This is going to be awesome...wish I could play a game of Pulp Alley on it myself! :-*
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/