Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases (3 Viewers)

[mestell]

I have been making 24"x36" framed diorama boards using picture/poster frames which I have discovered will perfectly fit six of the Hudson & Allen Scenic to Go bases which are each 12"x12" square. Feed back by those who have seen the finished product has bee very good and much appreciated. I thought I would take some time this afternoon and provide a step-by-step pictorial review on how I make these.

1. Select six H&A Scenics-to-Go bases. Here I am using three HA2067.1 Grass Field with Road scenic bases and three HA2067.6 Fallow Field scenic bases.

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2. Other items needed: 24"x36" picture/poster frame. I get the ones I use from Michael's craft store. They are made out of a hard vinyl like material that is embossed with wood grain. They come in four color choices; black, white, brown (natural wood), and grey (drift wood). They are listed at $40 each but are quite often on sale for $20 each (buy one, get one) and I have bought them for as little as $12 each on a 70% off sale. I have never spent more than $20 on this frame. Other items need for the project are scissors, needle nose pliers, and a very strong sealing tape - I use Gorilla tape.

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[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

3. Remove the wrapping materials from the poster. Turn the frame face down. Using the needle nose pliers, remove 24 frame wedges.

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4. Remove the clear plastic cover, description paper, and cardstock backing from frame and discard or save for another project.

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5. Arrange the H&A Scenic- to-Go bases the way you want them to be displayed.

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6. Turn the bases over and place them in reverse order into the back of the now empty frame. Remove the felt buttons from each base tile.

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Be sure that the tiles are in place the way they are to display.

7. With the tiles upside down and tightly placed in the frame, use the sealing tape to start taping the tiles together.

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[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

7. (Continued) Finish taping the individual bases together.

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8. Once all the base tiles are taped tightly together, tape them all down to the frame.

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9. You can now turn your diorama over . . . Almost finished.

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[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

10. Somewhat noticeable seams in the grassy areas can usually be brushed out with a pet brush. For the noticeable seam between to road sections, I use a 50/50 solution of white wood glue and water, a medium material similar in color to the road, and a brush to fill in the gap.

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Let dry overnight, the lightly sand joint with sandpaper to blend the color of the filled gap and road section together.

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Hope this helps . . . All the best,
Mike

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[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Some examples of two of my finished framed dios:

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[mikemiller1955]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Excellent tutorial post...
and an especially great job on blending seams in the road...
VERY NICE MIKE!!!

 

[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Excellent tutorial post...
and an especially great job on blending seams in the road...
VERY NICE MIKE!!!

Thank you. There's been a lot of interest in these so I thought I would share what works for me. Hopefully it will be helpful to a fellow collector and diorama maker.
Mike

 

[mikemiller1955]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

I bet Hudson & Allen will get some orders for these after seeing what you did with yours!

 

[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

I bet Hudson & Allen will get some orders for these after seeing what you did with yours!

I know they will be getting one order for sure . . . I need six HA2068 Arid Ground bases for my El Cid diorama I am planning. Went to Michael's this morning and got two more frames - now on sale for $20 each as a buy one, get one promotion.

 

[Horus]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Good idea for great looking diorama bases and like the ideas for merging the lines Mike ! :salute::

Steve

 

[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Good idea for great looking diorama bases and like the ideas for merging the lines Mike ! :salute::

Steve

Thanks very much Steve. IMHO my attempts pale in comparisons to your magnificent looking dioramas - always a favorite to view.
Mike

 

[El Pippo]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Very good idea and How-To-Description

 

[mikemiller1955]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Very good idea and How-To-Description

agreed...

when I first joined this forum...
one of the things that really appealed to me...
were the detailed "how to tutorials" with directions...materials and photos...
there were and still are lots of collectors on here that show talented display ideas through tutorials...
I learned a lot in modeling from some of the guys on here...
building displays for your own stuff is fun...
sort of the hobby inside the hobby...

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Excellent tutorial post...
and an especially great job on blending seams in the road...
VERY NICE MIKE!!!

Mike Miller said it best....well done Mike!!

Thanks for this...it is very creative and inspirational.

Mark

 

[mestell]

Very good idea and How-To-Description

Thank you very much.
Mike

 

[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Mike Miller said it best....well done Mike!!

Thanks for this...it is very creative and inspirational.

Mark

Thanks Mark, much appreciated.
Mike

 

[mestell]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

agreed...

when I first joined this forum...
one of the things that really appealed to me...
were the detailed "how to tutorials" with directions...materials and photos...
there were and still are lots of collectors on here that show talented display ideas through tutorials...
I learned a lot in modeling from some of the guys on here...
building displays for your own stuff is fun...
sort of the hobby inside the hobby...

Thanks Mike. I agree whole heartedly. These projects have been fun to do.
Mike

 

[Terp152]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Interesting thread Mike. Thanks for posting. Chris

 

[nysoldiers]

Re: Making a 24"x36" Picture Frame Diorama Using H&A Scenics to Go Bases

Now you just need H&A to deliver the boards!