Mountain Structure??

[Cheetah20]

Ok...have all kinds of ideas to finally start on my 'mountain structure' but with so many comments and thoughts get turned back at times!!!

Have small styrofoam boxes I was going to fill with newspaper
(50/50 glue method) ..then shape.....
Then I was going to use 'chicken wire' with newspaper underneath...
(paper mache thing)....then worried about the electricity.....
was going to layer styroam pieces...but apparently you'l use alot of it..
WITH all of the "above" ...then covered with the strips and plaster !!!

Ahhhhhhhhhwall1

I would prefer to use chicken wire...(experience) and shapes better !!!

Help from 'more' experienced people???!sign1

 

[Ralph]

I like making a quick and easy "web" of cardboard strips that I staple or hot glue together. Stuff some newspaper under the web to provide support if neded. Its cheap and easy!
Ralph

 

[Cheetah20]

I like making a quick and easy "web" of cardboard strips that I staple or hot glue together. Stuff some newspaper under the web to provide support if neded. Its cheap and easy!
Ralph

you know Ralph.....
"before" reading your post...I have decided to go chicken wire AND the cardboard web idea...........saving the styrofoam !!

many thanx

 

[Travellar]

well, that was quick. How big of a mountain are you talking about anyhow?

My prefered method (aluminum screening over plywood ribs) works great for large stuff, but crumpled paper or styrafoam would probrably be better for smaller areas.

 

[Cheetah20]

talking about 'mountains' .....anywhere from 8' to 14" in height....up n down..........8' x 5' layout - L shape - 32" depth

 

[Lord Raffles]

I always make mine with thick polystyrene boards, a Polystirine Cutter, Craft Knife, Rock/Cliff plaster moulds from "Woodland Scenics" and some PolyFiller.

I make my hills/mountains in steps using the Polysterne boards, and then smoth out the steps with the filler. The Rock/Cliff moulds from Woodland Scenics are expensive, but they do give an impressive finish if you want to look really showey.

 

[dwight77]

Hi Cheetah20:
Before you make a final decision, look at this YouTube set of 9 videos on working with foam. It was originally posted by rogerw on 6/24/07 in the technical q&a forum.
YouTube - Model Railroad Scenery using Extruded Foam: Part 1
It is very informative and makes working with extruded foam look very manageable. If look to the right on the YouTube screen you will see more videos. Look there for the remaining set of his videos.
dwight77

 

[Travellar]

WOW! did you just say EIGHT FEET? forget all the usual methods, if you're building floor to ceiling mountains you'll need a dedicated structure for them.

If that was a typo though, I suppose layed foam would work about as well as plywood ribs.

 

[berraf]

Eight feet, that's not a model, it's a real mountain :thumb:
I believe you like things big :mrgreen:

 

[Dave R.]

The fellow on You-tube has done some great work, very impressive! I would only make one suggestion: rather than use "liquid-nails" I've found that "Gorilla Glue" works wonderfully with foam, the new quick-cure stuff is finished in minuets, has an excellent bond and is sand-able. I use a flat edge (credit card) to smear a thin even coat; don't forget to dampen one surface and that Gorilla Glue expands, so make sure you clamp or weigh down your pieces.
Dave R.

 

[Drew1125]

.....anywhere from 8' to 14" in height....

I’m thinking Cheetah20 meant 8 inches instead of feet…based on the fact that he’s modeling in N scale, & that he indicated “8 – 14””…

I’ve made mountains using a couple of the techniques mentioned here…stacked foam boards, plaster-soaked paper towels, screen wire, wadded up newspaper, cardboard web, etc…

The foam can be pricey when covering large areas with it, but I think in your case (a 40 square foot N scale layout, right?) it wouldn’t be bad, & it does make for some great results…