help I want to make rocks and trees

klaus-winther-dk Feb 5, 2014

  1. klaus-winther-dk

    klaus-winther-dk TrainBoard Member

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    hey is there anyone who can help me? I want to make rocks and trees.


    does anyone have good ideas for how to make realistic rocks? and pine trees? I've tried to watch some videos on youtube.


    the rocks: I have tried to cut rock formation in the foam but I do not think that it will be so good when you paint it. does anyone have some advice?


    the trees: what kind of ground foam is best to use on pine trees so it looks good?

    tree on the left is just a test tree.
    DSC_0221.jpg

    hope anyone can help

    ps. sorry if I have not spelled right, I use google translate.

    klaus
     
  2. ratled

    ratled TrainBoard Supporter

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    Look for rock molds and see if that is for you and try looking at Furnace filter trees and see if you can get the parts for where you are

    ratled

    [video=youtube;ClCwvzT2VG4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClCwvzT2VG4[/video]
     
  3. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Loren (stonebridge Models) made a video on making pine trees, but not sure where it is on hte internet now.

    For Rocks I use chunks of coal and make molds by covering face of coal piece that I want for Rock with latex which I paint it on the coalon in 2 - 3 layers, the oilly surface makes it easy to get the mold off of the coal when done, Iadd a piece of cheese cloth over the last coat and then add one more coat over that to help keep mold in shape so it does not tear and then I cast with woodland scenic's material. Once in the mold, I let it set up a bit first and once it starts to firm up I then place in on the sub base. and push it in and leave it to finish setting and then remove the mold. and repeat the process, turning the mold each time so not to repeat the rock formation an adjacent mold location. I used 6 pieces of coal about the size of a soft ball and created 1 dozen different molds from these pieces I picked up in Pennsylvania. There are several materials you can use to fill the mold, Hydro-cal if you are going over paper mache or wire screen. Woodland Scenics has other materials one is like paper mache, so light in weight but cures up hard ready to paint.
     
  4. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    A possibility to make sedimentary rocks (layered) is to use acoustic ceiling tile. Score a line lightly and break along the line, stack a number of such broken pieces to make a rock face. Remember that most rock faces aren't level so think about gluing them on an angle.

    Hope this helps,

    Mark

    BTW: Why was this thread moved to the inspection pit?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 5, 2014
  5. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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  6. jdetray

    jdetray TrainBoard Member

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    I carved my rock faces from foam.

    First, I glued up blocks of foam to make a very rough landform:
    [​IMG]

    Then I smoothed out the basic shape:
    [​IMG]

    And used spackle to fill in some gaps:
    [​IMG]

    Then I carved chunks out of the foam to make it look "rock-like." This photo also shows my rock carving tools:
    [​IMG]

    After painting, it looks good enough for my purposes. the vertical grooves are meant to represent the drill marks you see on blasted rock faces:
    [​IMG]

    - Jeff
     
  7. seabanna

    seabanna New Member

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    You can also use landscaping bark nuggets (not sure if that's what they're called). You can get them at nurseries and landscaping supply stores. Use them as they are - glue in place and paint, or molds can be made from them.

    Also, cork bark can be used it the same way.

    Charles
     
  8. MisterBeasley

    MisterBeasley TrainBoard Supporter

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    For individual rocks or rock faces, you can get molds from places like Woodland Scenics and cast your own with Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris. Another option is to use the molds and foam casting process from Bragdon Enterprises, www.bragdonent.com. The Bragdon method takes a bit of time to master and produce castings, but they are very high quality and the most realistic method I've found.
     
  9. klaus-winther-dk

    klaus-winther-dk TrainBoard Member

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    hey thanks for all the advice I have received.
    I do not know why my posting has been moved?


    I tried my way and here is what I made.
    20140207_171031.jpg DSC_0245.jpg DSC_0246.jpg


    I used polyfilla, let it dry and then I used a chisel to get the rock formation.
    now I just need to paint it.
    please comment.

    klaus.
     
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    While you are a Z scale modeler, topics such as making trees, scenery, type of lumber for my benchwork, how to paint, best type of glue, decal application techniques, best type of lubricant, soldering hints, how to lay track, what type of roadbed is best, foam versus homasote, my compressor is broken, etc, etc are all scale-generic discussions. They go in the Inspection Pit- Where you will most often get much more input, anyhow, than in a scale specific forum.

    Topics very specific to a particular scale go in that forum: Such as which coupler to use on my ABC manufacturer Z diesel, which decoder fits a Z scale XYZ, just got my new (Z item) and they look great + run sweet, so & so announces a new (?) Z freight car kit, Z group meeting, who makes Z scale decals for an (X), photos of my Z layout, etc. Otherwise, layout design in that forum, DCC in that forum, railfanning, prototype railroads or fallen flags in those forums, etc. Photos and videos of UP Big Boy moves in the UP Forum. Wanted/For Sale/Swap & Trade go the TrainBoard Swap Meet forum.
     
  11. mikelhh

    mikelhh TrainBoard Member

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    Klaus that's going to look very good when you paint it, Nice work
     
  12. mikelhh

    mikelhh TrainBoard Member

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    That would be a fun way to thin out the N scale section :rolleyes: Judging by the thread titles over the years I've seen numerous subjects posted there that would be far more appropriate for the Inspection Pit, but if they choose to post in their own scale I never even read them, much less respond to them.

    Mike
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike-

    If we did the same to the HO, there'd be a huge drop in total subjects there. In fact, that has already been happening. I began combing all forums late last year as part of the ongoing "Big Glitch" repairs. That task is not even close to half finished. Doing N scale alone will probably take between one and two weeks, hours and hours. (Instead of working at my modeling bench.) When N is finished you will see a lot of topics back in other places from where they were ripped by the glitch.

    Staff moves topics every day. Many, many of them. Not sure how many I have already moved today. Then we end up having to edit titles in the Swap Meet, and, and.....

    Since the big glitch of June, 2011, there are still many thousands which are misplaced. I have been working on that disaster ever since then. It has not been helpful with that finding so many folks never fill in their user profiles. I have found uncounted hundreds of topics which are so generic, no scale indicated, I cannot even place them. I check profiles for hints and find nothing, or someone who lists Z,N,HO,O,G. So, being left no alternative, those are placed in the Inspection Pit.

    It does not help that many folks are so forum-centric, they never venture outside their favorite single place. In fact, some I have redirected are stunned to find there is so much else top explore here.

    We do our best, which even then, sometimes doesn't satisfy... :(
     
  14. mikelhh

    mikelhh TrainBoard Member

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    Boxcab I wasn't moaning about the moderators. I spent quite a few years - about six - moderating on two other railway forums, so i know the work involved. I don't try to make extra work for anyone!
    My post was directed more at those hobbyists who post solely in their scale's section. To my mind it's their loss.

    Mike
     
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've been doing this, owning/moderating, going way back to when it was only possible via mass emailings. Listserv, major-domo, onelist, eGroups, Yahoo Clubs, Yahoo Groups, Google Groups, MSN, and, and...Yikes. I could have used all that time building a model RR. Oh well.
     
  16. klaus-winther-dk

    klaus-winther-dk TrainBoard Member

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    hey here's the result of my rocks with paint on. there will be a bit of grass in some places so they look a little more real.
    I just need to find out what looks best before I put it on.


    thanks for all the advice.

    DSC_0260.jpg DSC_0262.jpg DSC_0261.jpg

    klaus
     
  17. Stickboy

    Stickboy TrainBoard Member

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    Klaus that looks great! I like the first photo in particular, you have some really convincing rock formations going on there. You are correct, some grass will help with realism, but if I might make a suggestion, you could first add some rock debris/shale/talus on the lower parts of the slope. I make mine from ground up dried plaster, which I pour on then push into place with a soft brush, then fix with thinned white glue, similar to ballasting. When dry it can be painted to blend in with the rest of the rock, and then add your grass to finish off the area.

    [​IMG]

    I look forward to your progress! :)
     

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