The Card Lab

[Lupus]

Okay excuse the subject i really couldn't think of anything sensible so hey shoot me or suggest something better

Myself and HerrUther ahve been working on a game of late and we really need a decent board to take it out and demo it.  All the action happens slightly in the future in a Military Scientific lab.  So we needed to build something.

We have some very good 1mm board at club in huge sheets and HerrUther found that once glued with PVA its pretty solid to say the least so that was the plan.  Base boards made from 5mm MDF and then we'd build the whole lab complex using the board, double skinned wall's for a rigid look.  We keep thinking we might use some of that expanding foam in between it for extra rigidness.

Using a very simple method of PVA glue to stick it all together.  Plan is as we finish a board to lightly coat all the walls with watered down PVA to create an even more solid frame.  Not that it will need it as we had marble tiles sat on some sections to keep them together as other bits dried.

Here's some pictures so far.  We managed to do about 3-4hrs worth of work last night, one board is nearly done and another is a good way along.

Some very rubbish piccies can be found here.

http://cid-42e918d6e5eb7722.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Board

I'll sort some out soon with my proper camera instead of my phone.

I have to sit later and work out how to make some nice data screens and such.  I know people like Jed do them but i want about 40+ so need a cheaper alternative.

As with any project always open to idea, hints and such.

[Hauptgefreiter]

There are various cardstock models out there, providing cheap scenery...

[Lupus]

There are various cardstock models out there, providing cheap scenery...

Yes i have many of them.  But i want a little more robust look.

I'm going to try and build some with bits of plastic and card.  If i can get a decent idea i can create it in plasticard and then just make a mould to cast off.

All sounds simple but i need to get some Silicone RTV Rubber and Resin..

[Lupus]

Okay work and loads of things ahve been manic so haven't been on much.

Have uploaded a load more pictures so people can see where we are with some mini's to show scale.

One main lab is done, have another to do.  Then have 4 side section's that are all the same to sort out as well.

Made the doors i just need to cast 60+ of them :/

Also need to make door electronic pads (Idea's will be posted very soon), i think i need door's x 2 plus some extra's on that front.

Wall screen idea looks okay i just need to amke a decent master than i can make a mould of so i can make a pile of them off.

So really not that much to do

Comments as always welcome.

[Sangennaru]

I know people like Jed do them but i want about 40+ so need a cheaper alternative.

why don't you cast them yourself?

all you need is a small quantity of silicon rubber and then resin (or also fine plaster), and you can make as many as you like! ^^

[Lupus]

why don't you cast them yourself?

all you need is a small quantity of silicon rubber and then resin (or also fine plaster), and you can make as many as you like! ^^

Thats the plan now.  A friend of ours works as a jewler and ahs access to one of those printer style resin machines.  So he's done us some control boards and i plan to make a mould of them and then use the huge pile of herculite plaster i ahve to amke the ones needed.

Once i get a piccy sorted of what they look like i'll post it up.

Same with the doors and other bits.

[Lupus]

Well finally managed to get hold of some rubber at the weekend for moulding.  So poured out some for the door's.  Really hoping later on that its set okay and that i have no issue's.  If its okay i plan to make up 5 doors then make a mould of them as its going to be faster than 1 at a time.

[Sangennaru]

that's good!

when you'll start using silicon you'll never stop! XD

[Lupus]

that's good!

when you'll start using silicon you'll never stop! XD

I've used it in the past, had a small sample pot that i used to make laods of something.  So i sort of know what i'm doing.

I've been trying to find a way to make a home made rumble platform to get the air out so it doesn't ruin the mould's.

Anyone got any idea's on this??

[Sangennaru]

i never had this problem, i use prochima GLS50. it is really soft but no bubbles around ^^


i think taht for a limited number of moulds (no more than 50) it is the best choiche.







by the way, i've seen people using the washing machine with the mould on it ^^

[Connectamabob]

Also seen people use vibrating massage devices... um, on the mold that is.

You can also brush coat the part with rubber before doing the full pour.

[Lupus]

Also seen people use vibrating massage devices... um, on the mold that is.

You can also brush coat the part with rubber before doing the full pour.

Thats a good idea on both counts i might try the 2nd one as i don't have access to the first one 


I just took the door master out the mould last night and it looks fine.  I was going to try and pour a few sample doors tonight but i'm going to see Harry Potter so it'll have to wait till tomorrow.

[Sangennaru]

Thats a good idea on both counts i might try the 2nd one as i don't have access to the first one 


I just took the door master out the mould last night and it looks fine.  I was going to try and pour a few sample doors tonight but i'm going to see Harry Potter so it'll have to wait till tomorrow.

really good, i wanna see your army of doors and windows! ^^

btw, as i told you before, you'd better use ceramics for walls. not for windows of course, but the brick walls are much better done in ceramics!

[Lupus]

Well the walls ae all card so no need to cast them thankfully.

First couple of doors ahve come off the line and look okay i need to fill a couple of holes and do 3 more so i can amke a master of all of them.  Then i can cast away.

Will try and get some piccies up soon.  Also one of the 4 boards thats all identical is complete so we have 3 of them done and one lab so not much more to do

I'll try to get some more piccies up soon, especially the doors and such.