Desert diorama base (1 Viewer)

[Kurt]

Can someone tell me if there is a 3rd party vendor that makes a desert diorama base like this. (I only care about the desert floor, not the other decor.)

https://www.kingandcountry.com/images/gallery/new_ak.jpg



The build-a-rama one doesn't look that good. In fact, it looks almost white.

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/detail.aspx?ID=727

Thanks

 

[Warbuff26]

Kurt,

That is super easy to produce on your own with minimal time and skill level. PM me and I can share some insight. Best to make your own then you can taylor it to whatever size you desire.

 

[jazzeum]

Can someone tell me if there is a 3rd party vendor that makes a desert diorama base like this. (I only care about the desert floor, not the other decor.)

https://www.kingandcountry.com/images/gallery/new_ak.jpg

Thanks

You could always contact Gordon but it won't be cheap.

 

[Louis Badolato]

You could always contact Gordon but it won't be cheap.

I don't know. Gordon gave that very diorama to me as a gift, so it might not be that expensive. Give him a call.

 

[Kurt]

I don't know. Gordon gave that very diorama to me as a gift, so it might not be that expensive. Give him a call.

I only have friends in low places.

 

[Steven Chong]

You could always contact Gordon but it won't be cheap.

At the West Coaster, Andy quoted a price of $2500 for a desert diorama piece by Gordon with a well and three palm trees.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

A foam base, acrylic matte medium and a bag of cheap kitty litter.

 

[fishead19690]

A foam base, acrylic matte medium and a bag of cheap kitty litter.

And all for just under $2500!

 

[Kurt]

A foam base, acrylic matte medium and a bag of cheap kitty litter.

I can tackle the kitty litter, but where do I buy a foam base and what is 'acrylic matte medium'?

 

[Warbuff26]

$2500....now come on...thats a little silly. You sure that was for a AK dio? Maybe one of the factory dios...sure...but for what amounts as little more than a base. Seems a bit pricey. Gordon does outstanding work on very detailed scratch built buildings....but just a base youd be crazy not to do your own.

I understand owning a King and Country Gordon or Andy diorama is like a pair of designer jeans...great quality and you pay a little more for the name on the tag. At some point though you realize that the other jeans are just as good......but its always nice to show off your designer ones from time to time.

 

[fishead19690]

I can tackle the kitty litter, but where do I buy a foam base and what is 'acrylic matte medium'?

You can buy the foam at any home depot or lowes in large sheets for about $11-$12 each and have enough to do a few bases from just the one sheet because they are pretty large sheets that are used for insulting walls. They,ll be pink or powder blue in color and should be pretty easy to spot in the store and are often found near the lumber in the back of the store. Just ask for wall insulation foam.

The acrylic matte medium would be a clear finish to seal it in a matte finnish so you don,t get a glossy seal.

Watch out what you use on the foam as far as paints and glues because a lot of paints and glues will melt the foam and ruin all your work.
Try any thing your going to use on it on a scrap piece first just incase it has a bad reaction to the foam. Cheap acrylic paints seam to work the best. Most spray paints just melt the stuff.

 

[Tony Neville]

Kurt

The foam base is the best idea. I use a foam called craft foam available online in UK but i beleive available from stores in USA. It is a house insulation foam board.

Cut to shape and always use a PVA glue (white glue like at school) This does not melt it. For the sand effect i use Model railway scatter in a very fine feel and in buff. Wet the PVA glue down with water and bush all over base then with a shaker scatter it over the top. Leave for a day or over night to dry then bang off the loose in the morning.

If you wish to desire different colours for shading and wet sand etc then use Acrylic paint best if sprayed on by air gun or by air canister (cheaper) this gives you an even colour.

The good thing about the foam you can then get trees etc and they stick into the base and a little bit of PVA keeps it stuck.

Just play until you get the desired effect.

This is a not so good pic of the one we use at our shows.
Simple really

Tony Neville

K&C UK

Tony

 

[Rob]

Once again nice work Tony

Rob

 

[Halo]

Nice work. Thanks for all the info.

 

[fishead19690]

If you do go with the foam idea you can shape this foam with a bastard file or rasp to make hills or fox hole ect. If you want some higher hills you can cut pieces of foam and shape them to the desired shape and glue it to the larger foam base and then glue your cat litter or play box sand or whatever you use to that and have yourself a base that looks a little more interesting then just a flat base.
White glue or wood glue works good with the foam but takes longer to dry. You can use 2 part 5 min epoxy or hot glue if you need something to dry a bit quicker but again be careful what you use on the foam so you don,t melt it. Use a small sample piece to check what works with the foam and will not ruin your work.