Normandy Cobblestone Roads in 20/28mm Update New sections painted 10th March

[6milPhil]

Decided to have a bash at making road sections for the larger scales which look more like the cobblestone roads I've seen, typically the ones available seem just too regular, which is fine for the elitist streets of Paris but not quite perfect for the parambulation of peasants.

Like this:


So I've cut the basic shapes and I'm trying to keep them as thin as possible, so they can be used on boards as well as tabletops, finished they should be about 3mm thick. The biggest straight is 220mm long and 100mm wide, the length being defined by being able to comfortably fit in my vacuum chamber, and obviously the mould has to be larger.


Then I've started on the stones. I've cut sheet plastic into strips, mainly 2mm wide stone, but also a few 5mm and some 8mm, which with an average gap of 1mm between them works out fine, they're also in three different thicknesses to give variety. I've then carved them so each one is different... this is the exciting step.  


It's so exciting that taking another photo when you're halfway is a momentous event.


Then the laying begins. Having drawn a few lines on the base to keep them in line and starting in a number of places to make sure the spacing and the relative straightness is maintained.


Of course my striving for thiness was a fool's errand and in the morning this had warped from end to end by about 20 degrees, and bowed too. So I'm thickening the base, so they'll be around 4.5-5mm thick and mounting them on mould box base boards, plastic atop 5mm MDF, to remove any warpage... oh the joy.  

[Dr. Zombie]

Oh wow! I'm afraid madness lies at the end of that road.

But I am sure it will look brilliant once you have completed it.

[Duke Donald]

This is dedication!

However, I would suggest adding yet another tedious step to the process. I would give some texture to the cobblestone by "crushing them" with an uneven stone. I did this for the tiles in my build in the "Build Something Contest 2015" and it really improved them.

[6milPhil]

Oh wow! I'm afraid madness lies at the end of that road.

But I am sure it will look brilliant once you have completed it.

Very likely and thanks.

However, I would suggest adding yet another tedious step to the process. I would give some texture to the cobblestone by "crushing them" with an uneven stone.

I've gone for whittling and different thicknesses so should have a similar effect, although hitting it would be a good thing at some points.

Increased the thickness and mounted it on the mould box bas, so on we go...

[Dr. Zombie]

Hitting it with at rock might turn out to be therapeutical to stave of the gluing tiny bits induced insanity.

When you get to casting them I might be interested in some.

[FramFramson]

One solution I saw recently to this problem is a thick, deeply-creased leather, with very clear and discrete forms. Though to find, but works well if you can get ahold of some.

[SotF]

One solution I saw recently to this problem is a thick, deeply-creased leather, with very clear and discrete forms. Though to find, but works well if you can get ahold of some.

Actually, skip normal leather if you want to go this route. Look for imitation alligator or crocodile...or even for the texture that's used for basketballs.

Attach it to a wood base if you want to mold it, but it actually works rather well attached straight down and painted up.

[6milPhil]

Hitting it with at rock might turn out to be therapeutical to stave of the gluing tiny bits induced insanity.

Exactly, now where's my  hammer?  

Et voila!


...and before anyone asks...

[6milPhil]

Onto the short straight...


...the 45 degree curve, now originally I cut two of these to limit repetition and then got to thinking one would be enough... I imagine I'll repent later.


... and the Y-Junction

[6mmfan]

Follow the yellow brick road....

[mcfonz]

Great stuff Phil. A real test of patience I can imagine. Well worth the end result though. Plenty of uses those will have!

[6milPhil]

Thanks mate.

Finished them, sealed them with some paint, also makes for a better picture...


Now to box them for rubber...

[Andym]

With all respect.....you're mental!!

The separate stone, they don't look like squared edges! Are you trimming each single stone to make it more realistic? WOW!

[6milPhil]

Yep every stone is roughly bevelled around the edges and a bit of hacking on top too, some have additional detail, esp. the larger ones. It's the only way to make them look worn over centuries.

It'll show up better when painted.   

[Captain Blood]

Superb Phil.