My First Foam Building... (1 Viewer)

[mikemiller1955]

I bought a couple of sheets of foam board the other day...I was going to try and make some brick walls...just some "raw stone" brick walls...not the finished perfect modern brick walls...just irregular stones held by mortar...I wanted to make the type of walls you might find suitable for Medieval era and maybe Middle Eastern era fortresses...

I got some tutorials by phone...from one of the best brick wall makers on this forum...but even his help wasn't enough to allow to to make something I was comfortable with and thought would look good...

I tried to carve my own...I really did...but I just don't think I'm patient enough to do this detailed work...the walls I wanted to make would have been used as backdrop walls...representing a Stone Castle or Stone Fort...anyway...I gave up on it...

Randy...aka Polarbear...posted some of the ancient (but timeless) structures from the Sudan War era made by Paul Darnell on his "Touching History" website...

http://touchinghistory.blogspot.com/search/label/French and Indian Wars

His work is in 28mm and has some of the coolest and the most very detailed work I have seen...Greek...French Indian War...WWII...Zulu...Sudan...Medieval...Civil War...AWI...you name...he pretty much does it...

if you get time...visit his website...it's quite extensive...

Here are a couple of pictures from his Sudan era...

anyway...since I had these two full sheets of styrofoam...I thought I would try a structure...his walls are mostly "stucco"...instead of the carved bricks which I failed so miserably at...

I have seen a lot of really nice foam buildings made by forum members...but everything is so "secretive" you really never get to learn enough by just viewing their finished work to feel comfortably actually attempting your own...so I'm gonna go step by step and explain in detail what I used and how I used it...also exact product name so you can find it if you want to...on the slim chance that my project turns out decent and somebody wants to try it...at least they will know what products work and where they can get them...

 

[mikemiller1955]

Here's some pictures of Mr. Darnell's work on the Sudan era...this is the type of structure that I'm hoping to make...again...look at his site...he does so many different eras...I'm sure you'll find something interesting...

http://touchinghistory.blogspot.com/

 

[desk11desk12]

Holy Cow, that's Awesome!

Carlos

 

[mikemiller1955]

I probably should have stated with one of these small square building...

but this is the one that appealed to me the most...so I'm using it as a model to make mine...

I liked the porch...the straw awning...again...maybe I should have started with a smaller one...but this is the one I chose...

I'm collecting the Jenkin's Nile War and they will go nice with this building...

 

[mikemiller1955]

I think styrofoam is confusing to most people...at least it is to me...

there have been many types of styrofoam created in the last few years and us old guys have seen a lot of products called styrofoam...

when I was a kid...the only styrofoam we had was that white open cell brittle stuff...the crunchy brittle stuff...your mother probably used this for dried floral arrangements and it came in green and white...very expensive stuff too...

then they started making styrofoam cups from a closed cell denser styrofoam...but they still just called it styrofoam again...totally different product...mostly used for ice chests, cups and thermal insulation...

I'm not going to explain every different type of styrofoam...there are too many...I'm just trying to tell you that when modelers say they made it with styrofaom...a lot of people conjure the wrong image...

most modelers use a different type of styrofoam...but in their threads they usually refer to it as styrofoam also...I have seen so much confusion from people asking..."what it is"..."where did they get it"..."my styrofoam doesn't look like that"...etc...

What I'm going to use and what most modelers use is slang termed..."blue board" or "pink board"...

yes it is styrofaom...but is technically called "Insulation Residential Sheathing" or "Foamular Insulation Sheathing"...slanged as "pink board" or "blue board"...

it's made by Owen Corning or Dow Chemical...and does have the word "STYROFOAM" printed on it...

The first time I went looking for it at Home Depot...I asked where the styrofoam was and was told by the salesman that they don't sell styrofoam...so if you go int there...ask for "Insulation Sheathing"...

this product is mostly used for insulation inside your walls...it come in a 4x8 sheet in pink or blue...it can be found in 1/2" or 3/4"...a small price difference...usually $9.00 and $11.00 apiece...or around there...

here are some pictures of it...my pieces were full 4x8 sheets...in the pictures...they are cut in half...

this is the product that most modelers on this forum use...again...it's called "Insulation Sheathing"...if you go to a builder's store to buy some...

this is what I am using in my structure...

 

[mikemiller1955]

This is my first building with styrofoam...hehehe...excuse me..."Insulation Sheathing" I mean...

I will refer to it as "pink board" from here on out...

It is easily "scored" with a sharp "Exacto" knife...once scored...it can be snapped and removed...ready to use...

it comes with a thin protective plastic film on both sides...remove this after you make your cut...

unlike some styrofoams...it does not make a big electrically charged clingy mess when cut...however...it will when you work it with a rasp...

this is a very simple structure I'm trying to copy...all I have done so far is make the walls and cut the windows and doors...the porch and awning looks like a nice project...

I used a hot glue gun on the "low" setting...don't use the "high" setting...if the glue is too hot...it will melt all the way through a 3/4" piece...

Hot glue guns are very cheap...as low as $5.00 at Walmart...I strongly recommend buying one with settings for "regular" and "hot"...

the glue sticks are very cheap too...about $5.00 for a bag of 20...also at Walmart...

to reduce any possible melting with a hot glue gun...I used 1"x1" wooden beams in the corners to which I applied my hot glue to...and then let cool a little...just for a few seconds before adhering to the foam...I think it adds a whole lot of stability to the structure and will not be seen once the building is finished...

the advantage to a hot glue gun over a white glue or a Liquid Nails product is that it dries instantly...literally in seconds and allows you to keep working...

I have seen a lot of modelers use toothpicks and white glue to adhere 90 degree corners on walls...it takes a long time to dry and I prefer hot glue...

Liquid Nails is a popular product for adhering pink board also...it is a very good product but takes a very long time to dry....

Liquid Nails also makes another product called "Liquid Nails For Projects"...it is a much faster drying product for foam and I recommend it if you don't want to use a hot nail gun...

a hot glue gun can burn you badly if you are not careful...SO BE CAREFUL!!!

 

[mikemiller1955]

This pink board building was built in about an hour...the hot glue gun allows you to move rapidly as the pieces dry instantly...cut...glue...cut...glue...cut...glue......

nothing fancy...not worrying about perfect seams or gaps as I planned to coat the exterior in a "stucco" textured material that will hide any mistakes or poor craftsmanship...and there are plenty as you can see...hehehe...

for the coating of the exterior...I used a product called "Pre Mixed Stucco Patch"...it is a "heavy textured" product...very grainy...which I liked...

I did a test piece with it and it dried in about 3 hours...it will not chip off...

It's available at Home Depot and was $8.00 for 32 ounces...it can be bought in larger sizes as a "better buy" if you want a lot of it...I used about 1/3 of my can to do this structure that is 20"x12"...

I applied it with a cheap paintbrush...it has the consistency of oatmeal...

my test patch took 3 hours so this will be ready tomorrow morning to start the wood...windows, doors and awning...I will not resume work on it for a couple of days for personal reasons...

I found another good product for texturing the exterior walls that will not chip and adheres to the pink board very well...it is not "textured and grainy"...

it's called Durham's Water Putty...it is smooth and gives a more plastered look...

I did a test piece and liked it...but chose the Stucco Patch instead...

I have used the Durham's before...it's a good product...

I did 3 sample pieces...

left to right..


Pre Mixed Stucco Patch...
Durham's Water Putty with sand added...
Durham's Water Putty by itself...

all 3 looked fine...The Durham's without the sand looks like plaster without any texturing...

just a matter of choice as to what you like...

I know what I'm showing doesn't look like much yet...but keep in mind...it's not painted...has no finished doors, windows, porch awning or any other detail...

I'm very happy with the results so far and anxious to continue...I will post progress with pictures...but will not work on it for a couple of days...

 

[aujj65]

Mike,

That hasn't taken very long to get it to this stage!

Can't wait to see your 60mm version of the 28mm wargames table!

Carry on with the good work.

Jeff

 

[PolarBear]

Mike

A great job! It's like watching Mr. Wizard when I was a kid on saturday mornings.

Randy

 

[modwalls]

Mike, it was fun talking with you on the phone, you have keen eye and sharp wit. I think your work speaks for itself, you can make many things with this foam. I believe the product is called polystyrene, the pink Owen Corning stuff is a little stiffer, and the Blue Dow stuff has a bit more flexability to it. I really enjoy your redoubts and dio setups, just be careful when working with different products, make sure for proper ventilation. I know you can make anything you set your mind to. I'm looking forward to your Sudan project completion. Keep on createing.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Listen...I don't want this thread to come off like I'm some sort of Guru or expert on building foam structures...I AM NOT...the title says it all...this is my first attempt...I mentioned earlier that someone had helped me get started with materials, techniques, tips and a little self confidence on the telephone...that was Modwalls (aka Mike)...(thank you for that Mike)...who also happens to do some of the very best polystyrene walls and brick detailing eye popping work I have ever seen...his work is showroom floor quality...my work is roughshod at best compared to his...I suggested to him that he make a couple of these...and if he does...then you are in for a treat...if he does...then you will see a really nice product...I don't have a clue what I'm doing for the most part...I just like to build things and am not afraid to make a few mistakes...all I'm really trying to do is document my work and maybe somebody can learn from my mistakes...maybe someone can learn what not to do...maybe they will find a product they like through my trial and error first attempt...I'll ride this thing out and show you the success or failure of this project...my biggest hope would be that someone finds the courage or confidence to try this after watching this thread...but if this thing ends up a piece of junk...I promise...the last photo I take on this thread will be of it sitting on my curb waiting for the trash man...

 

[Gazza]

Mike

Given your new found interest in English football hooligans

Will the 'second building' be of the "Den' - home of the Millwall Bushwackers

If so, what scale?

Make sure the seats are removeable so they can throw them on the pitch

Cheers

Gazza

 

[PolarBear]

Listen...I don't want this thread to come off like I'm some sort of Guru or expert on building foam structures...I AM NOT...the title says it all...this is my first attempt...I mentioned earlier that someone had helped me get started with materials, techniques, tips and a little self confidence on the telephone...that was Modwalls (aka Mike)...(thank you for that Mike)...who also happens to do some of the very best polystyrene walls and brick detailing eye popping work I have ever seen...his work is showroom floor quality...my work is roughshod at best compared to his...I suggested to him that he make a couple of these...and if he does...then you are in for a treat...if he does...then you will see a really nice product...I don't have a clue what I'm doing for the most part...I just like to build things and am not afraid to make a few mistakes...all I'm really trying to do is document my work and maybe somebody can learn from my mistakes...maybe someone can learn what not to do...maybe they will find a product they like through my trial and error first attempt...I'll ride this thing out and show you the success or failure of this project...my biggest hope would be that someone finds the courage or confidence to try this after watching this thread...but if this thing ends up a piece of junk...I promise...the last photo I take on this thread will be of it sitting on my curb waiting for the trash man...

Michael

You are way too modest! You are an inspiration with your passion, excitement and enthusiasm. You have been wowing us for months with your buildings and scenes for JJD's FIW, Jacobite, 1812 series. Now you are giving lots support for us Sudan collectors.

Here is another great idea from Paul Darnell and looks like a natural for you:

Mahdist Mud Brick Defenses

The photo of the real one is actually the remains from Omdurman.

 

[Russell]

This is very interesting Mike. It's nice that you are taking the trouble to share your learning experience. I am following and will be following this with interest.

By-the-way, you really explain things well.

Cheers

 

[mikemiller1955]

This is very interesting Mike. It's nice that you are taking the trouble to share your learning experience. I am following and will be following this with interest.

By-the-way, you really explain things well.

Cheers

thanks you guys...

I'm really trying hard to explain things well through text and photos...using exact product name with pictures...I think one of the most frustrating things about creating...is finding the right products to use...how many times have you seen something on here that somebody made and wished you knew where he bought the supplies and how hard it was...it happens to me all the time...I look at all the pictures and dios...from Vikings to WWII...I always see things that I want to try but sometimes don't have a clue how or what to buy...I hope this thread encourages some people to give this a shot...there are a lot of talented people on here...

 

[thebritfarmer]

Michael,

This is an excellent tutorial. I honestly believe (and I think the majority of the members here do to) that if anyone can make a Sudan village it is you. Don't sell yourself short, because of you my AZW photos have taken on a whole new persona.

Thanks Michael and looking forward to the next installment.

 

[aujj65]

Michael

You are way too modest! You are an inspiration with your passion, excitement and enthusiasm. You have been wowing us for months with your buildings and scenes for JJD's FIW, Jacobite, 1812 series. Now you are giving lots support for us Sudan collectors.

Here is another great idea from Paul Darnell and looks like a natural for you:
Mahdist Mud Brick Defenses

The photo of the real one is actually the remains from Omdurman.

Michael,

This is an excellent tutorial. I honestly believe (and I think the majority of the members here do to) that if anyone can make a Sudan village it is you. Don't sell yourself short, because of you my AZW photos have taken on a whole new persona.

Thanks Michael and looking forward to the next installment.

Mike,

Couldn't agree more! Have you finished it yet?

Jeff

 

[PolarBear]

Mike,

Couldn't agree more! Have you finished it yet?

Jeff

Jeff

He needs to get green paint for the Mahdist flag that will fly over the building

Randy

 

[marco55]

thanks you guys...

..there are a lot of talented people on here...

And your one of the best.
Mark

 

[Mitch]

Amazing stuff the work looks tremendous and, very informative post.
Mitch