4mm Morfa - The race is run.

[Captain Kernow]

A general point about painting; some of the stuff I see written about in the magazines seems far too overblown and tricksy. Get the colour right and the mind fills in the rest. We're in the smoke and mirrors business and don't need complexity where simple stuff will suffice to convince. Set ego and control to hold and let the paint work for you.

Wise words indeed, mate, I really like that!

 

[Simon]

I have always liked that tunnel mouth moulding, perhaps for the first time since Reggie Merit produced it back in the era of bakelite and cocoa it is going to be deployed on a layout that will do the pattern making justice

Simon

 

[MartinWales]

Nice work young sir! Can't wait to inspect it on my next visit!

 

[Neil]

Having had a monster cob on vis a vis landforms since October, progress on Morfa had effectively stalled. Some time ago I conducted an experiment to see if I could find a process that I was properly happy with, so that I might engage a low forward gear and start inching towards completion. The experiment showed promise, but such was the extent of my sulk that the large scale implementation didn't happen, at least not 'till this afternoon.

The recipe.

Mix some of this ....



.... with this, in this ......


...... slap on like this .....


..... inspect, and leave to harden.


The experiment shows that it's wise not to attempt deep fills in one hit as the shallower the layer, the faster the drying time.

 

[Scale7JB]

What's the idea for the next layer, paper mâché?

JB.

 

[Neil]

What's the idea for the next layer, paper mâché?

JB.

Once the poly beads have been built up to sufficient depth, I'll go for a final skim over with a polyfiller, sawdust and PVA mix.

 

[Scale7JB]

I do like that idea... Lighter and far easier than having to provide a framework under chicken wire etc..

JB.

 

[SimonT]

Neil,
give us a clue, what's the this in the yellow container?
Cheers

Simon

 

[Neil]

Sorry Simon, it's bog ordinary pva.

 

[Captain Kernow]

Clever approach, Neil. Where do you get the polystyrene balls from?

 

[Neil]

Ebay Tim; my experimental pack came in at £3.50 and should be sufficient to sort out the Abertafol corner of Morfa. In fact I'm heading upstairs to check on and encouarge the drying of the first layer and perhaps apply a second.

 

[Neil]

Just to demonstrate how speedy the 'sticky balls' method of landscaping is, since my previous post I've finished the basic landform in the Abertafol corner (5x3 approx). Here's a photo of a train in a snowy landscape.

 

[Steve Cook]

Blimey, that is quick, and very little weight impact either
Do you get a different sound now with the train in the tunnel?
Steve

 

[Phill Dyson]

Will it stand being carved & sanded into shape like conventional polystyrene blocks do Neil?

 

[Captain Kernow]

Big hailstones!

 

[Neil]

Will it stand being carved & sanded into shape like conventional polystyrene blocks do Neil?

No, it's fairly crumbly until a topping is applied, but it is meant as a build up process rather than an abrade away one. It's an awful lot quicker than card lattice and more precise than mod-roc over scrunched newspaper.

 

[Phill Dyson]

Glad it works for you, but can't see any advantages over the poly blocks method personally .......



Phill

 

[Neil]

It's a bit counter intuitive but I find it a less messy method, however the real advantage is that it suits my style of working, building up rather than carving away. That and the opportunity for some less than subtle double entendres.

 

[Neil]

Sticky balls now partly covered in brown stuff.





It's a mix of polyfiller, sawdust and pva, with just a dab of black powder paint to add to the colour. It should dry a few shades lighter, or so I hope.

 

[Captain Kernow]

A most effective transformation, Sir!