Bramble bushes real cheap

[Bill Pontin]

Found an easy method of making low bushes or brambles. Hope this series of pics is not too long and helps illustrate my method. I know there are a lot of "how to" books out there but have not seen this material used before.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Another picture

 

[Bill Pontin]

I don't know what this stuff is called, it is used to vent roofs. I picked up a piece of it off a constuction site. The piece sat around for some time before I found a use for it. That's me always scrounging.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Using a pair of needle nose pliers - I bury one point into the material and pull, off or out, a tuft.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Little apprehensive about the next step, it involves a torch and I don't want any young modelers burning the house down. Very carefully, or ouside, singe the fiber ends. Do the end where the pliers crushed the fibers. With wet fingers, twist the fibers thogether while they are still plyable. This neat little point makes planting the bush on your layout neater.

 

[Bill Pontin]

They should look like this. Should have posted a caution on the last step in that the material will burn and melt. A bucket of water at hand should be advised. Maybe some one knows of a safer chemical method to do this step. I've tried various glues but they do not provide the nice tight point.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Almost there

Trim your bush to eliminate those excessivly long whiskers. Holding the bush in a pair of OLD JUNKY pliers and spray the bush with a real inexpensive, but super hold, hair spray.

 

[Bill Pontin]

While the hair spray is still wet sprinkle on your foliage. Forgot to mention, use a non scented hair spray. I am modeling in "N" scale and I find that the WS fine turf foam makes better scale leaves. HO and larger, the course turf would look better. Been grabbing all the wife's spice bottles. The kind with the spinkle holes. Great way to apply the fine ground foam. Did not rinse out the bottles so some of my trees have that gourmet smell.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Now to plant your little bushes, drill a hole in your layout, large enough to take the bush point, then fill the hole with tacky glue

 

[Bill Pontin]

All done, plant the little bugger.

 

[jimnrose]

Great work Bill & thanks for sharing. I'm off to a construction site
(have one in mind) to get the ridge vent material.
Take care & lots of luck at the show this weekend. Jim

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Bill it looks great, is this on your n-scale modules?

 

[TR-Flyer]

I can see it now, new homeowners the world over, a year from now, wondering how all those wasps are getting into their attics!

Neat stuff, time to cruise the construction sites this Sunday.

Regards,
Ted

 

[Bill Pontin]

Yes Tyson they were made for my "N" scale modules. Made them up last minute to fill in some barren spots. Here I bolted both four footers together in preparation for the show Sunday. Sure hope it's not too big to go up the celler stairs and out the hatchway.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Took a peak in one end, looks like everything stayed put. Kinda tight huh?

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Incredible piece of engineering Bill!

 

[Jim de Bree]

Very nice Bill. I was wondering if it was possible to use another heat source, such as a soldering iron, in place of the torch.

 

[Vic]

Hey Bill, Great idea...I'm gonna look for some of that stuff too

BTW...Did you try lacquer thinner instead of the torch?

 

[Drew1125]

Bill,
You're a genius!!
That looks like the same material that's in those cardboard furnace filters...?
Thanks for sharing a great idea...you have some fantastic looking scenery there!
& what a great way to transport a layout!

 

[Gary Pfeil]

Bill, I love the scenery! The road surface, signs, rock and ground cover all look so convincing! Awesome. Could someone please post a name or brand for this material?

Gary