How do I make a Mesa?

[Gunbird]

Maybe a stupid question, but I'm a bit stuck. I have a foamcutter etc, but how do I make a game usable Mesa that does not dominate the table?

[Pan Marek]

You first need to determine what you want the mesa for.   Just to give your table a southwestern look?  Or will you want to game on it?
Mesas are big, tall mountains/hills that are flat on top.  Usually either inaccessible, or accessible in very limited places (look up the Acoma Pueblo).

Given their height, you may wish to build a framework out of cheap styrofoam, then cover it with paper mache.  If you're seeking a mesa you can play on, its hard to make one that won't dominate a table.

[Digits]

There is one about half way down this page.  Use cork bark I’d say.

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=138983.90

[Gunbird]

Thx!

I'm looking for something flavourful but not dominating, so the examples given should work. Now to find corkbark though...

[Digits]

Aquarium sellers…but cheapest on internet.   Yup buy weight is cheapest but you may not want that much! Lol

[hubbabubba]

I made some out of foam some years back. They're undersized but they sell the idea and them being smaller means they see more use and offer more flexibility.

I just layered the foam and hacked away at it with a hobby knife to get the styrations. Not difficult but search on you tube for some of the model railway tutes, they were really useful.

You cas see my efforts here: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=106767.msg1331009#msg1331009

[Malamute]

I made some out of foam some years back. They're undersized but they sell the idea and them being smaller means they see more use and offer more flexibility.

I just layered the foam and hacked away at it with a hobby knife to get the styrations. Not difficult but search on you tube for some of the model railway tutes, they were really useful.

You cas see my efforts here: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=106767.msg1331009#msg1331009

I like those. Very effective.

Here’s mine:





Blue foam with cork bark, sand and lots of stones/gravel

[Patrice]

A few pictures of polystyrene mesa (explanations in French) not made by me but I had the privilege to play with it a few times. They are small in scale but they look good on the table.

https://www.anargader.net/t376-des-canyons-pour-mes-tables-far-west

http://euthanasor-wargamesetmodelisme.blogspot.com/2011/09/fabriquer-des-collines-type-canyons.html

[Gunbird]

Ooh, those are both very impressive as well!

[FifteensAway]

Many nice examples but I like the ones Patrice shows best because of the scree at the base - looks very realistic.  I would opt for a bit less realism in part if I wanted to get figures up and down however.

I have box with about two dozen 'crumbly' dark cork that I will be using to build a mesa/butte formation or three.

So glad to see the question asked - and answered.

[carlos marighela]

Important to get your mesa right lest it becomes the butte of cruel jokes.

[has.been]

Important to get your mesa right lest it becomes the butte of cruel jokes.

 

[Cubs]

Important to get your mesa right lest it becomes the butte of cruel jokes.

"Mesa/butte."

"Really? Mesa Jar-Jar Binks!"

[carlos marighela]

The important thing is to get your mesa on the table. 

[has.been]

"Really? Mesa Jar-Jar Binks!"