Beer Crate Battles: thoughts?

[Silent Invader]

I'm pondering some multilevel internal terrain and am wondering about using beer crates for the bulk of structure.

For example:


http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=94921.0


The Speeder and mini are from a project over in Future Wars .....

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=94921.0

.... and it occurred to me that I could get 3 levels for the bridge, accommodation and transport  hold of a spacecraft. That said, I'm not necessarily wedded to a spacecraft as I also fancy a multilayer mine complex (probably sci-fi but not necessarily) or even an apartment block.

An image-google of 'Wargames beer crate terrain' produces nothing of use while 'Wargames terrain milk crate' really only comes up with crates battered and sprayed to represent the shattered skeletons of a high rise city.

So, thoughts anyone? Thanks 

[Captain Blood]

Well it's more interesting than a square of doormat

Knowing your creative skills, I'm sure you can turn a beer crate into a convincing city block ruin... I'm sure I've seen similar projects here on LAF before...  Just not sure who, when or where...

[Silent Invader]

Yep, it *has* to have been done before but can I find any references for inspiration? Nope!  

EDIT:

This has been referenced on LAF before and is the 'high rise skeleton' I was talking about earlier.

http://www.skankgame.com/Highrises.html

I'm looking to make something that hasn't been bombed to near oblivion, which would use the solid sides of the Leffe crate.

[Ahistorian]

I'll be interested to see what you do with this - reminds me of a GW Games Day Necromunda display in 3D from the late 90s/early 00s. A bit of plasticard and some wall/furniture accessories and I reckon you'll be well away!

[OSHIROmodels]

Personally (personally mind  ), I'd make it from scratch and work from the inside out but I'm sure that whatever you do will be great 

cheers

James

[Dr. Zombie]

I am sure you can create something great from such crates.

You can make two beercrate towers and have a propper Block war.

[Silent Invader]

Thanks for the thoughts - much appreciated 

Am still undecided on spaceship, mine or apartment block. Each has its attractions for post apoc and Future Wars.

Personally (personally mind  ), I'd make it from scratch and work from the inside out but I'm sure that whatever you do will be great 

Well if could laser cut acrylic ....  . Seriously though, I don't fancy foamboard, MDF or styrene for such a tall structure (either too heavy or too weak).

[Andym]

Either way, I'm not sure there's enough superglue I the world!

[tin shed gamer]

Why not make it modules that can slide in and out of each bottle space.Then if you want an open area without a module or two have a back panel that corresponds such as a single module sized square,a double module rectangle,three module L shape back board (well you get the idea.
This way the whole idea can be played vertically as in your picture or the create laying down and the panels become open space flooring.Space hulk meets  tetras and block war .just depending on which way up you place the modules.
On the plus side you'd not have trouble moving it.

[Overlord]

I found this, which is a similar idea, but a fairly simple implementation:

http://chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2012/10/21/terrain-office-buildings-and-lamp-posts/
Another version: http://ironworkersminiatures.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/infinity-terrain-challenge-apartment.html

Construction using foamed PVC/Forex/Sintra might be an option.  Good strength and not excessively heavy:

Antenociti at Salute 2010: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=18501

Lots of ruins/post-apoc versions found but very little for intact buildings.  

Edit: This occurred to me (not quite what you were after though)

https://slh.en.alibaba.com/product/1845569332-215264577/Amazing_design_DIY_Lazy_Susan_24_Pairs_wooden_Rotating_Shoe_Rack_shoes_storage_cabinet.html

[AKULA]

If you are going to use the crates natural characteristics for stacking, at least for transport purposes, then it's a no-brainer.  The downside is that unless you change the exterior, you might end up with something that looks like a bunch of beer crates....if you change the exterior, then you lose the stacking characteristics....

Personally I think you should just carve something out of blue foam bricks, and then add lighting....it's the way forward.

[Silent Invader]

Andy - thanks, I think  . I bought several hundred 20 ml bottles a few years ago but stocks are now running low. 

Mark - interesting thought about removable modules, which works particularly well if the crate is just a racking and transport system, such as for the innards of a mine or underground bunker.

Paul - thanks for those searches, the Lazy Susan is actually my favourite and I think would work better than crates for a mine/bunker game as the problem with a multiplayer vertical game is of course the narrow frontage. I recall the Antonecetti display at Salute a few years ago and IIRC the building interiors were too low/narrow/deep for practical play.  They looked great though. 

Matt - yep, a beer crate will always look like a beer crate.  . What it comes down to, I guess, is whether it's just the interiors being played (back to the module point above). I shall have to ponder. I've moved on from blue foam bricks and LEDs though  . I much prefer plaster bricks and got bored with my LED phase (there's a joke in there) so now only put them in when they add to game play (which is rare: though applicable to the basement fires in my Belgium board last year): I was putting them in because they looked pretty but I found myself getting more 'railroady' than 'wargamey' (if you know what I mean). 

[OSHIROmodels]

I was putting them in because they looked pretty but I found myself getting more 'railroady' than 'wargamey' (if you know what I mean). 

Oi! Nothing wrong with that 

cheers

James

[Silent Invader]

Oi! Nothing wrong with that 

Not at all James!!! Pushing the boundaries is a very good thing but sometimes I have to ask myself "am I making stuff to look at or to play with?". Sometimes I go to far!!! 

[Silent Invader]

And just to add..... while googling today I've discovered this project

http://john-unfinished-projects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/not-scout.html?m=1

And so the beer crate no longer appeals

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - much appreciate