shawngehling
Active member
Quick bases with balsa wood bridges
Here is a small river bridge quick base.
It is a two lane (small vehicle bridge) or it can support a
large tank.
How to make a “Hard packed dirt road with a barrel” Quick Base:
Items needed:
1.Inexpensive “Dollar Store” picture frame.
2.Foam-core board (paper/foam/paper).
3.Various acrylic paints.
4.Paint brushes.
5.Artist Pastels (“Alphacolor” Earth Tones).
6.Spackling paste (dry-wall repair paste).
7.Hobby-knife.
8.White glue (“Elmers” all purpose glue).
9.Scale wooden barrel (damaged).
10.Felt pads.
a. Start with a “dollar store” 8” X 10” picture frame (exterior dimensions of approximately 9.5” X 12”). Discard the glass and cardboard backing. Remove the wall hanging hardware if there is any already attached.
b.Using your hobby-knife, cut the foam-core board to fit the frame, and bend the holders to secure the foam-core board.
c.Remove the foam-core board from the frame. Using your hobby-knife, cut more foam-core board to raise the edges and secure it to the foam-core board with your “Elmers” all purpose white glue.
d.Build the bridge as you want it (use whatever reference you have).
Note the worn and beat up look of the wood. It's not a new bridge.
e.Paint the water Blue/Green/Brown depending on how you want it. You can add rocks if
you want to also.
f.When dry, Dry-brush white for faster moving water, until you get the desired look. As you can see the sides of the road are raised using foam core board.
g.When completely dry, flip it over and attach the self-adhesive type felt pads and you are ready to display a model.
h.If you want more dirt/dust for your base, use ground up pastel chalk to add more realism.
Here is a small river bridge quick base.
It is a two lane (small vehicle bridge) or it can support a
large tank.
How to make a “Hard packed dirt road with a barrel” Quick Base:
Items needed:
1.Inexpensive “Dollar Store” picture frame.
2.Foam-core board (paper/foam/paper).
3.Various acrylic paints.
4.Paint brushes.
5.Artist Pastels (“Alphacolor” Earth Tones).
6.Spackling paste (dry-wall repair paste).
7.Hobby-knife.
8.White glue (“Elmers” all purpose glue).
9.Scale wooden barrel (damaged).
10.Felt pads.
a. Start with a “dollar store” 8” X 10” picture frame (exterior dimensions of approximately 9.5” X 12”). Discard the glass and cardboard backing. Remove the wall hanging hardware if there is any already attached.
b.Using your hobby-knife, cut the foam-core board to fit the frame, and bend the holders to secure the foam-core board.
c.Remove the foam-core board from the frame. Using your hobby-knife, cut more foam-core board to raise the edges and secure it to the foam-core board with your “Elmers” all purpose white glue.
d.Build the bridge as you want it (use whatever reference you have).
Note the worn and beat up look of the wood. It's not a new bridge.
e.Paint the water Blue/Green/Brown depending on how you want it. You can add rocks if
you want to also.
f.When dry, Dry-brush white for faster moving water, until you get the desired look. As you can see the sides of the road are raised using foam core board.
g.When completely dry, flip it over and attach the self-adhesive type felt pads and you are ready to display a model.
h.If you want more dirt/dust for your base, use ground up pastel chalk to add more realism.
.
