Structure Baseadvice

[grumbeast]

Hi Guys,

I've started to build more complex structures that
include a lot of scale lumber and they're very fragile
(esp in N!). I've noticed in some of the forums people
base their buildings and blend them into the layout.

This seems to be a really good idea and I was wondering
if people had any favourite materials. Thickness is
obviously an issue in N as I don't want the final structure
to "stand out" above the rest of the ground cover.

Cheers

Graham

 

[Lackawanna Jim]

Hi Graham;

This is definitely a good idea, especially with delicate structures. Plus, many times, kits don't come with a real foundation for the building.

I've used many different materials; 1/8" luaun plywood, 1/8" masonite is real nice, 1/8 acrylic or styrene sheet, even mat board and foam core. I've even seen some really nice, super-thin plywoods at the larger craft stores that you could cut with a few passes of a utility knife... The key is stability, and also thickness, as you point out; hopefully you can adjust for base thickness in your sub-scenery... How about some photos of your handiwork?

Jim

 

[grumbeast]

Thanks for the advice Jim,

I have some 1/8" masonite here so I might give that
a try this time.

Would love to show you some photo's but I need to get
(borrow / beg) a digital camera, when I do I'll post them.

The current project is a Magnuson Models Mercury Show Factory
kit that i picked up at a show, I opened the box and out fell
a bundle of sticks!... I was shocked and quite intimidated.

Still, I've just (about 3 minutes ago) completed the hard parts
(there are two loading docks, with individual planking etc, and
they look fantastic!.. I'm really getting a Zen thing going with
scale lumber!

Graham