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Richard M

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Rich
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Best
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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Ratch · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

I haven't voted because I'm happy to go along with the popular vote

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stuzzar · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

I have yet to vote but am concerned about the plyboard warping without it being fixed to a batten frame, I am sure that the railway modellers among us would be able to set my mind at rest

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 13:13 pm Post subject:

I haven't voted yet because I think wee need to know more about what we are building before making a decision.

All the best

Richard M · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 15:14 pm Post subject:

The ply would warp only if exposed to excessive mosisture or water surely. I would have thought varnishing the wood first would prevent this, 9mm is pretty thick to warp due to weight given the small size. Secondly we can incorporate a raised edge running around the outside, this will add strength and allow for raised ground.

As for what we are going to do, well it's a chicken and egg scenario. Do we fit the diorama to the board, or the board to the diorama. Personally I think it's easier to have a set board size to work from. This gives an immediate scale and dimensions to work out all the components. Using a standard size from a country wide DIY chain also makes it easier for people in different locations to work from the same size. It saves chopping off excess material, it's also cheaper and more effecient.

This size of board suggested is a reasonable size, all three can be fitted onto a standard 12 foot by 4 foot display table, should the need arise. They will also fit into a car relatively easily (either the boot or rear seats) to allow transportation in that fashion.
Best
Rich
_________________
Best
Rich
---------------------------

"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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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 16:21 pm Post subject:

OK, fair enough.....In which case I'm happy to go with this proposal and have voted accordingly.

All the best

stuzzar · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 17:10 pm Post subject:

It is warping due to moisture that concerns me, building up ground work etc will involve using adhesives and other products that will dampen the board.

Varnishing the entire board before begining work may go someway to protect it but ply is quite prone to splitting or warping at the slightest hint of damp. There is of course marine grade ply but this is very much more expensive than the standard stuff.

In all honesty I have never built a diorama on this scale before and just want to be sure that we get the base material right, it would be a great shame to put in lots of work just to see the whole thing warp and split. I am hoping that those who have built large railway layouts might have a bit more idea than me and am happy to be guided by those with more experience in this sort of thing.

Sourcing the material from a store such as B & Q with nationwide branches does make perfect sense and I have no problem with the size, just want to make sure we chose the right material for the base boards.

Cheers

Stu

Richard M · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 18:30 pm Post subject:

Through trawling the web, plywood seems to be a standard base material - varnished or shellacked to prevent warpage. Styrofoam sheets seem popular for the terrain.

http://www.pacifichistory.net/MODELEERFILE/DIORAMAFILE/B17DIO.HTML

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/objects/pdf/fsm-hd0107.pdf

http://www.plumcreekmarketing.com/articles/07makediorama.html

http://www.scififantmodmadrealm.c...ildingDioramasWriteupPartOne.html

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/maga.../stuff_eng_tech_diorama_bases.htm

http://hobbyhobnob.blogspot.com/2...sheets-for-diorama-and-train.html

Best
Rich
_________________
Best
Rich
---------------------------

"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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stuzzar · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 19:55 pm Post subject:

I guess that I am just being over cautious

. If Shep Paine says it is OK then that is fine by me

. Consider my vote cast

Cheers

Stu

Owen · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 20:34 pm Post subject:

Yes to ply, but it must be built onto a frame. I'm currently building a new layout - made from 2 2'x4' boards. The top is 5.5mm Ply, with a 2x1 frame.

You could get away with around a 10mm ply sheet without a frame, but you are still open to warping if not kept in good conditions.

Voted yes, but should really use a frame.
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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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Ratch · Posted: Mon 28 Jan 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

Owen makes sense

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

stuzzar · Posted: Mon 28 Jan 2008 14:54 pm Post subject:

Owen · Posted: Mon 28 Jan 2008 17:01 pm Post subject:

A 10mm Sheet should be alright, with sealant it should be pretty sound. I'm just a little wary of 7mm, that's all - without a frame a 2' x 4' sheet will still be flimsy lengthways. Having said that, none of us have yet to handle the wood and look at it ourselves to make judgements. I would think that it would be alright on inspection, just number crunching in the planning stage raises a few concerns.
_________________
Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

Airfix Modelling SIG Member
Beyond the Box SIG Member

Richard M · Posted: Tue 29 Jan 2008 09:26 am Post subject:

OK ply it is, with a frame as necessary.
Best
Rich
_________________
Best
Rich
---------------------------

"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