[tankist]

in order to break the routine a bit i started on new small diorama. the idea is to have some fun, gain skills and have perhaps a better location to photograph locos and rolling stock.

overview of first steps - the pink. since my original cliffs are not something i'm considering investing into WS rock molds this time...

future trestle.

 

[SFC Diesel]

Are those match sticks that you used for the bridge?

Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[tankist]

yep, those are matchsticks

 

[SFC Diesel]

yep, those are matchsticks

I really don't know how you guys think of stuff like that, I don't even know where to start asking questions about the How to's.

Awesome Stuff man.

 

[tjcruiser]

Looks like a nice display/photo backdrop.

I fiddled with the "pink stuff" recently, making some mountains for my HO layout. First time using the stuff. What I found worked well to best simulate the "natural roughness" of rock ledge was ...

I stuck a 50-grit, 1.5" diameter drum sander into the chuck of my drill. Then, with the thing spinning away, I whacked it into the foam, over and over. It gouged away, of course, but the resulting gouges all added up to a reasonably convincing series of ledges, crevices, etc. for the rock.

 

[tankist]

got WS rock mold. some cast rocks

 

[Reckers]

Anyone care to offer an opinion on how similar the pink stuff is to the standard, molded, white styrofoam blocks used in shipping things? I wanted to do some weathering and texture experiments w/o getting shredded foam all over the apartment. If they aren't chemically similar, though, I'm wasting my time.

 

[tankist]

working with either pink foam or "usual packing" foam will net you bunch of shreded foam. have vacuum ready. unless you going to use hot knife to work it. however i will skip the white stuff as it is less strong of material

 

[Reckers]

I'm still curious about using acetone. I'm aware it tends to turn styrofoam into a puddle of goo; that said, there has to be something I can dilute it with to control the degree of dissolution.
The work you have done on your layout is classic granite formation---excellent work, too. Granite's dense and hard, retaining it's sharp edges for eons. Sandstone, though, it easily carved by wind and water, and softens into gentle, rounded curves. If I can get the foam's surface to flow just a bit, I might be able to reproduce the look.

 

[tankist]

piece of foam that i got was as-is . one of the blemishes was an area that was attempted to be glued with non foam friendly material. it looks nothing like sandstone to me. besides, foam is just a base. you cover it with plaster and spaclkilng for texture. it will be quite fragile without and not alst as long (accidents happen).

but give it a try if you must.

 

[Reckers]

*LOL* I appreciate the advice, Anton. If I try it out, I'll let you know how it worked. By the way, what would you suggest for a dilutant for acetone?

 

[tankist]

no idea, srry.
water perhaps?

 

[Reckers]

I figure water, isopropanol...something's gotta work.

 

[tjcruiser]

Re: white packing foam vs. "Home Depot" pink insulation foam ...

The white packing stuff is typically made from compressed "pellets" or little foam balls. It doesn't cut very smoothly / consistently.

The Pink Stuff, however, is much more homegenous in nature, and can be cut/carved pretty uniformly.

 

[tjcruiser]

I used the Pink Stuff to carve a "granite" mountain / tunnel recently. I was really winging it, but it turned out OK. I think credit goes to a (dumb luck) choice of paint, applied via "bristle brush dab strokes" in 5 layers:

Layer 1 – full coverage
Benjamin Moore house paint (had some leftover!)
2099-50 CAFÉ MOCHA
Layer 2 – partial coverage
Apple Barrel acrylic paint (from Michael’s craft store)
20576 TOFFEE
Layer 3 – partial coverage
Apple Barrel acrylic paint (from Michael’s craft store)
20526 COUNTRY GREY
Layer 4 – partial coverage
Apple Barrel acrylic paint (from Michael’s craft store)
20575 SANDSTONE
Layer 5 – very light dabs of coverage
Apple Barrel acrylic paint (from Michael’s craft store)
BLACK

Layers 2 thru 5 were all mixed about 50%/50% with water before applying.

I'm sure there's a gazillion other paint color choices, but these worked pretty well with me for a "granite" look.

 

[Reckers]

Thanks for all the advice, Tankist and TJ.

 

[SFC Diesel]

I'm wanting to start on the track layout this weekend, what is that pink foam called, so I don't look like a donkey going to the hardware store this weekend.

 

[tankist]

extruded insulation foam. comes in 0.5,1 and 2 inches of thikness

 

[SFC Diesel]

extruded insulation foam. comes in 0.5,1 and 2 inches of thikness

Thanks, do you recommend any specific size, or does it just depend on what your building?

 

[tankist]

it comes in 4x8 ft sheets, you later cut it to size. use ruler an very sharp knife