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davecov

This thread is for us to discuss the design and building of the diorama base. This includes:

Dimensions
Layout
Construction & Materials
Delegation of tasks

and anything else you wish to add.

Once we have decided what is going to be placed on the diorama, we can list them in the Components thread and delegate their builds to participants.

Only those members who sign up for the build via the Usergroups link will be able to contribute ideas.

Dave
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joe

Hi all!

I thought i should get the ball rolling a little, so what sort of scatters should we use?

Woodland scenics?

Flock or static grass?

lichen?

lots of questions, but please, suggestions...
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davecov · Posted: Sun 25 Mar 2007 12:46 pm Post subject:

We haven't decided on a proper design yet, what the dimensions are, how many sections it is being divided into, who is making each section or anything else for that matter. Until we do, discussions on things like scatters etc can wait.

When all the above all been decided, then it will be for those making the bases to co-ordinate the scatters between themselves.

Dave
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Owen · Posted: Sun 25 Mar 2007 16:53 pm Post subject:

I think that the dimensions should be around 90cm Wide x 40cm Long (or there abouts). [] [] [] <-- Like this

Hardboard would be best for the base as it is light and thin. We should use High Density Polystyrene or Foam for the Terrain as it adds structural rigidity to the base and is light. This covered in either plaster bandage would act as a good base for buildings and trees etc. I think the Town would be better off as a bit of a fishing village with the beach/jetty as a town would be too complex to model. I'm very keen on building the Railway Section of it, but this part might need a bit more wood in it to accommodate the Railway.
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Richard M · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 09:12 am Post subject:

As we have decided on the number of bases we need to decide on the material for the base. Having had a look ad B&Q I would think hardwood plyboard would be the best material, it's cheap and pretty inflexible.

They have a variety of sizes, the most practical I think is
122cm by 60.6cm by 0.6 cm (UKP 5.98) - 1/72 scale this is 87m by 46m
or
122cm by 60.6cm by 0.9 cm (UKP 7.48)

It'll be easier to just use a standard size, I think the 0.6 should be OK and not too heavy. What does eveyone else think?
Best
Rich
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Rich
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Rich,

While I'd agree that the .6cm should be fine, if we are building groundork directly onto the boards we want absolute zero flexibility, so .9cm might be better.....Or we could get radical:

Use cheap interior doors!

The type with wood stock around the edges and two thin board faces seperated by cardboard corrugations. The problem in using flat board is always that you have to build up to produce depth. With a door like this, if you want a trench for instance, you can just rout out a section of one of the facing boards, slip wooden reinforcements along the routed edges and presto instant depth!

Just athought, all the best

Ratch · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 14:39 pm Post subject:

Railway modellers use Sundaela

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Richard M · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 17:01 pm Post subject:

If it has the characterisitcs I think it has, it will be too soft to support its own weight when lifted and will need reinforcing. I don't think it's designed to be moved about. Might be useful for doing terrain though.
Best
Rich
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Rich
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Owen · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 17:08 pm Post subject:

My layout boards for my model railway have a sundeala top. On it's own, without being battoned down to a frame it will warp. I have a harder pinboard base to my boards which adds much more regidity. Anyone remember that old Falaise Point diorama? The base for that was from sundeala and it warped badly. Sundela is also quite pricy, around £30 a sheet. I only used sundeala as the wood yard had it at a tenner per sheet.

I'd be tempted to go with ply, although a 10mm thick 8'x'4 sheet is around £30. I am going to the local wood yard tomorrow to buy wood for a new layout project, I'll see how much sheets of stuff are there.
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Richard M · Posted: Sat 26 Jan 2008 22:31 pm Post subject:

The hardwood ply is going to be the most practical and cost effective, the 122cm by 60.6cm by 0.9 cm is UKP 7.48 from B&Q, which should be accesible to most people. It's rigid, solid and a reasonable size for transportation, it's also inexpensive. To gain depth we can use polystyrene blocks which are easy to work with and readily available - probably free from packaging.

I'll set up a poll to run for 48 hours for people to vote on this.
Best
Rich
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Rich
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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

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Richard M · Posted: Tue 29 Jan 2008 09:33 am Post subject:

OK, we have the size of the boards decided and a plan for the basis of the three dioramas. Now to the important bit - volunteers to build and assemble each of the dioramas.

If you wish to host a diorama please send a pm to me indicating which board or boards you have a preference for. This is a big commitment, you will need to have the room to store and build the diorama and possibly transport it to a venue. I would think it would be fairer to spread the load and have one person responsible for each diorama.

There will be costs involved, we will have to come up with a system for spreading this evenly through all the participants.

I want volunteers by pm so people don't feel inhibited to express a preference for an individual board. Please send your pm's by Friday evening 1/2/08.
Best
Rich
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Rich
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 29 Jan 2008 11:59 am Post subject:

Regrettably I don't have the free space or transport facilities to host a board, so I shall be making my services available to build and paint stuff to go on the boards.

Will the figures, vehicles and so forth be based individually or built into the boards? The former is much easier to coordinate but winds up looking like a wargame in progress. The latter means a fair bit of extra work for the board hosts but will look much more convincing in the long run.

All the best

Richard M · Posted: Thu 31 Jan 2008 18:20 pm Post subject:

Reminder to get your pm's to me by tomorrow, indicating which base or bases you are interested in building.
Best
Rich
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Rich
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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

Visit my PORTFOLIO

Richard M · Posted: Sat 02 Feb 2008 21:21 pm Post subject:

Well we have a winner. Owen will be the Build Leader for Base 3, the one with the railway component. Thank you Owen, I'm sure you'll do us proud!

We can now proceed with planning the components, military and civillian, for this board. Owen has already come up with some plans for this board so we will base the designs on those.

As a reminder.