I was just wondering if anyone knew of someone who sells H.O. scale stone blocks of the type and size used in the construction of castles? If not does anyone know of a good way to scratch build them .Althou I really do not want to have to make several thousand blocks[:)]. I thouht about useing the pre-made sheets, but unfortunatly I can not get the detail I want. I would be graetful for any help!
Thank you for your time,
Robert
Not all castles used the same rock construction Robert. Depending on time and location they may be random rocks piled in a heap to precesion cut and smoothed marble. Kirbi makes some nice plactic rock sheets, example; http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/405-4120 Fred
I was looking for stones for a Gothic era.I tryed useing the stone sheets and I have to admit that when I use them to build walls they look like they where build by a two year old(probably worse).Thank you for the idea flee
robjen25:
I’m interested in doing something similar-specifically, loose rock walls used in Ireland (ground is similar to New England) to separate fields. Also, castle ruins, many of which are found in Ireland. I’ve been lurking at this Forum for weeks, hoping to get ideas. Have been all over the internet, also. I agree that the sheets don’t look great. I tried rock salt in a crude narrow mold, dribbled on diluted white glue-fell apart pretty quickly! Maybe because the surfaces are not porous enough(?) I may try coating w/matte medium first. I have been thinking about making & carving a hydrocal rectangular block, & making a rubber mold from it. I hope someone can suggest an easier method.
I would like to add my thanks to all who have shared their experience so freely-I have 39 pages of Word notes I have taken from this Forum. Thanks again.
There is a guy who does some train shows in the southeast who sells bags of loose stone-shaped material that you can make your own walls from.
I wish I could recall the name of the company, but I can’t. If I see him again, I’ll post again.
But there is some stuff out there…
Mike Tennent
I have a rock wall mold from Dave Frary at http://www.mrscenery.com that I use all over the place. The basic mold is about 3 inches high by 8 wide, and it takes hydrocal very nicely. I can cut off strips 2 or 3 bricks high for foundations, or shape the mold around a form to make a curved wall. He has several different patterns - I use the Cut Stone one and I’ve been very happy with it.
The March issue of Model Railroader has an article starting on p. 88 which refers to Flex-rocks by Mountains in Minutes. I’m not sure if Walthers stocks these. Does anyone know where to get them. Might have something like what’s being looked for.
If you want alternatives I make rock walls from cardboard and torn paper.
I have also made rock walls from plaster cast in leggo forms.
If interested the paper is here… http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1205/start=0.html
and the plaster/leggo is here… http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=9.html
Fred
For rubblestone and piled round rock, you might be able to sift the fines found at most places that sell structural and landscape stone. The up side is that it would already have the proper color, being the genuine article. The down side is that building with it would probably take almost as long as doing the same job full scale.
Another possibility is mixing appropriate pigment into plaster of paris, then flow-molding thin sheets (3/16 to 3/8 inch) in foil-lined cookie pans. Crack with care for cut stone, or simply attack with a hammer for rubblestone.
flee307:
the lego idea is so clever, I can’t hardly stand it! Could be perfect for castle ruins. Before I commit to carving, I may try mixing rock salt heavy into the hydrocal.
MisterBeasley:
Dave Frary’s molds looked good, also. His granite wall mold might be good for the Parknasilla Hotel (County Kerry, Ireland), a Great Southern Railway hotel, where my Grandmother worked to earn passage $ to come to the U.S.
bill1224:
Couldn’t find Mountains in Minutes on the web, nor @ Walthers.
tomikawaTT:
I’m thinking about your idea of flow-molding thin sheets . . . . ; maybe filling a lego mold w/cracked hydrocal pieces would produce a pretty realistic fieldstone wall.
ironpenguin:
Would appreciate info on your train show guy-
Thanks, men, for all your help.
Thank you for all of the ideas! The Legos would probably work the best. Adding some “dimples” to the inside would also help make each of them more unique. Again thank you to everyone for takeing the time to comment on my question.
You could try Motrak Models at Motrakmodels@ verison.net. They cast various stone panels usually used for retaining walls, structures and abutments. Another approach would be to cast sheets of hydrocal and cut the blocks needed. I do this with gray colored hydrocal and score the block lines then rip to desired size on a bandsaw. The face of the mold can use crinkled foil or textured packing foam.
Bob K.
Robjen25,
I think you might want to look at Easy Stack Building Blocs from Hunter Scenery Co. :
http:www.HunterSceneryCo.com
I just saw them today at the Timonium, MD, show. They actually might be on the small side for a castle wall but should be good for typical dressed stone walls. Plus they are available in a few different colors.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543