Re: Building a Wild West Town - One last time (update 12/09/23)

[terrement]

Some construction questions -

Would you be willing to talk a bit on construction?  Looking at your pics, including older ones, it looks to me anyway that some are built with balsa wood walls, some may be wood framing with slats or balsa attached, possibly foam core with wood attached, and haven't a clue on your  adobe buildings.

Do you have a standard "go to" method you use for all?

If not, how do you decide which to use for which type of buildings?

Do you try to make them all with removable roofs?

Do you ever do bases for structures, or are they all just the building on its own?

Any "lightbulb" AHA! moments when you discovered some particular thing to do (or not do) you might pass along?

And finally, where do you find your miniature carpenters to do that lovely construction?

Thanks!

[tinned fruit]

Hi Terrement

The wooden building are made from 5mm thick balsa and are braced at the corners for added srength though as the buildings are based this might be a bit of overkil on the single storeys. I use mdf laser cuts for the windows and railings.

The adobe structures are 5mm foamcore covered with paint mixed with filler/ spackle - the corners are covered with PVA and newspaper to hide the joins. I did a "how to" in WSS 115.

The "how to" comes straight from Gary's articles plus trial and error which plays a big part. The original articles have some great inspirational photos - I wanted Silverado rather than Deadwood hence the more colourful store fronts.

All the buidings have removable roofs, and the two storeys removable first floors, out of habit but I personally rarely put figures inside.

I've decided to base these as it gives added strength plus it gives you the option of adding little details but it limits their flexibiity in gaming. I constantly debate which is better especialy if your game multiple periods and don't have an unliited space and budget.

The Aha would be get stuck in. You'll make mistakes. Things willl not be perfect but very rarely will the project be ruined.

Hope that helps.

Phil

 

[terrement]

Phil,

Thanks a lot, and yes indeed it does help.  I'm hoping to start minor construction this summer.  I recognize that there will be errors of my own once I start and I'll learn as I go.

Much like learning how to paint.   

John

[trev]

Great work.  Looking forward to seeing the completed set up.

[tinned fruit]

With the addition of the "Palace" Saloon for Purgatory  - the Anglo part of town is complete for the moment.



Yes - I remembered to include the Church!



The mdf stairs finally arrived for the Saloon







Although I will add some fields and a gold mine in the future.

Next up I'll be using the fruits of "Take your daughter to work" day to make the Mexican quarter of San Miguel...



More pictures on my FB page - https://www.facebook.com/tinnedfruit/

Thanks for looking.

Phil

[has.been]

Looks great. You've got enough for a Western Game.
If you are anything like us you will find one scenario
will lead to making another building, then another.
You mock up a 'Newspaper' as a player intro. to a game...
so... when one player says, 'I'm gunna teach that S.O.B.
of an editor a lesson'. Well you NEED a newspaper office,
don't you?
Having sold off my 54mm stock, some time ago, I am
in the process of starting over in 28mm.

[tinned fruit]

Managed to finish off the Mexican quarter for Purgatory over the weekend.

Before the Gringos came Purgatory was known as San Miguel.





Some shots of the individual bases:-





Although primary for my TWI and Wild West games I think these would suit for The Peninsula and Pirate games.

This now completes this project and it's on to the terrain for Roman Britain.

Lots more photos on my FB page - https://www.facebook.com/tinnedfruit/

Thanks for looking.

Phil

[Malamute]

Terrific work, they look great. Its the small details like the horno, ramshackle fences etc which really bring them to life.

[has.been]

They are a very nice addition to your Western stock.

[Golgotha]

Those new addition flat-topped dwellings are outstanding and very inspiring. Do like the use of walls and extras to add interest to the square buildings.

[FifteensAway]

I concur with all the comments above on San Miguel - which can be its own town when not being quartered in Purgatory.  There are ideas there worth 'borrowing' for sure.

[OSHIROmodels]

Lovely 

[CapnJim]

The Mexican Quarter looks great!  Tequila for everyone!  Well done!

[Grumpy Gnome]

Gorgeous work! Inspirational!

[Cacique Caribe]

Phil

WOW, nicely done!  I’ve always wanted to create a “Magnificent Seven” layout, and you are definitely adding to the enthusiasm.

Thanks for posting your project here on LAF.  I don’t use FB, so this is extremely helpful.

Dan
PS. https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=110375.0