Hello, When building little independent scenes that might be added to a full size layout, what’s the best material to build on? Don’t want it to be too thick or flimsy. What works best? Thanks for any help.
Foamboard. Relatively thin, isn’t flimsy, and is relatively stable.
!/8 inch Baltic Birch Plywood works very well. Thicker Baltic Birch works well also but weighs more and can be expensive. Regular plywood is less satisfactory. I use 1 in styrofoam as well.
Homasote also meets your criteria, but it isn’t as stable as some other materials, as it will often take on a slight twist:
You can probably obtain similar results with thin (quarter or one-eighth-inch) plywood.
Mark
It depends a lot on what your main layout is made off / how thick it is and how you want to mount it. My mining section is on 2 inch foam, then plywood. For that section I would use 2 inch foam, cut out the foot print and insert the new section.
Cuda Ken
There is a relatively new product on the market called Gatorfoam. I haven’t used it, but there was a good display and information on it at the last show I went to. There has been an article or two on it also. I think one was in MR, so try a search up at index of magazines. It is sort of like foam board, but is waterproof and quite strong. I am concidering it to small scenes on, making all pieces the same size and being able to interchange them on a portable layout, so folks would see different things each time they saw it. It is a bit more expensive than foam board, but a lot stronger. My local sign maker has some of it in stock.
You probably would find something on Google too.
Have fun,.
Hello. It looks like a thinner base would work better, it’s easier to shim up to the proper level that way. Thanks one and all for the great suggestions and finding out about products I didn’t know about. I started doing dioramas and found out, I really like doing the ground work. The next one I do will probably be in HO scale.
If you use plywood I would recomend getting what we call “WBP” (water and boil proof) - I don’t know if you call it that - it’s half way between ordinary ply nad marine ply. Much better than ordinary and nowhere near as expensive as marine - so you win all round. The main thing is that it will normally remain very stable for years which is what you want. Oh, and get as many laminate layers as possible… that makes stronger, less pliable board.
I would avoid all particle and fibre boards for this kind of job… even if other parts of your base are made of these.
You might be able to get offcuts / ends of run of good ply… apart from stores check out any furniture makers, store outfitters, boatbuilders/fitters etc (nicely)… a good approach when they are quiet may get you tons of stuff. They will also tell you the best glue for the particular product.
[:P]
PS Just thought… it depends a bit on how big a piece of board you want to use… I wouldn’t generally expect to need more than 6mm ply (1/4") but if you need a large(ish) piece I would not tend to go thicker… the strength would be in the wrong direction… what I would do would be to use a vertical rib stiffener along the underside on the long axis. It may only need to be 1/2" to 1" deep depending on how massive the insert board is.
[:P]
What works best? Kadee couplers. A CMX track cleaning car. Liquid Nails for Projects. An ice-cold Budweiser after a hockey game. Reading the instructions before you start a project. Labelle oil.
One thing which works best on this forum is a good title for your thread. Something like “Diorama Base Material” might draw the right eyes to your thread.
When you just say “What works best?” you’re liable to attract people like me who will provide goofy responses, like “KC Masterpiece Barbeque Sauce.” It won’t do much for your layout, but it does wonders for your burgers.
Thin plywood
Oh Mr. B., you just have to give Sweet Baby Ray’s a shot. It’s works best :)!
Gerry S.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You’re funny, Mr. Beasley…I like you.
…but liquid nails is hideous stuff, and if you read the instructions before you start, you’re not a real man!!!
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker [:-^]
Hay, what can I say. I like the goofy ones too. here’s an example of some of my ground work.
I don’t know why the first photo printed 3 times, only put it in once. total of two pic. ???
This scene begs to be modeled (long-abandoned logging/lumber company trucks).