Build Something 2015 - the forge

Today's daily update features the blacksmiths forge. I have already posted an image of the battery operated tea light on earlier Horseshoe Forge posts, but thought it was worthwhile repeating the image.

Image One - The battery operated tea light.

Image Two - The start of the blacksmiths forge. Built from Blue foam and Plastic card.

Image Three - The forge in place and with the flickering light effect.

Image Four - The canopy was built from more plastic card with plastic strip and plastic rod detailing.

Image Five - The Blue Foam chimney needed to be modified to fit around the tea light base which although cut back, still protruded from the back of the forge.

Image Six - The second block of Blue Foam also needed to be cut back, but as you see from this image the tea light is now fully hidden.

NOTE:
The forge and base are still not glued together, as I want to paint the interior first.

As with earlier updates, these images and text can also be found on the Lead Adventure Build Something 2015 Contest thread, for details go to this link.

Tony

Build Something 2015 - the doorway

Finally, The Horseshoe Forge has a horseshoe doorway.

I knew that this bit of modelling could make or break the whole build. I had to get this right.

I sketched out a horseshoe on some scrap paper and made sure that it was the right size and shape. before transferring it to some Green Foam.

I cut the foam to shape and sanded the outer edges smooth before sanding the whole 'U' shaped doorway on a piece of 3M abrasive paper, stuck down to a piece of toughened glass. (Sorry about the image, the camera was having difficulty focusing on this small piece of foam).

The 'U' shaped entrance way is 2mm - 2.5mm thick and very fragile, but it is the right shape.

The doorway was glued in place with Superglue and small rectangles of plastic card were added to simulate the metal joining straps used to join the four stone pieces of the archway together. I then cut tiny joins at the top and sides.

To see the whole build on the Lead Adventure Forum site please go to this link.

Tony

Build Something 2015 - part nine

I'm starting today's update with another teaser. This is a battery operated Tea Light that I am planning on including in the model of The Horseshoe Forge. Expect more updates once I work put how I am going to use it.

I have built the main forge chimney out of Blue Foam and in three pieces. Each piece was cut from some scrap foam. I have first carved the random stonework with a scalpel, then textured the surface by pressing a rough stone into the foam and finally sanded the surface with both sandpaper and a wire brush. The chimney top has a thin lip (a fourth piece of Blue Foam) although I am still undecided on how I will model the chimney top or chimney pot.

This final image shows the chimney against the back of the forge (but still not glued in place). You can also see how I have further textured the Green Foam timbers, nicking small chips out of the uprights and adding additional wood grain and weathering. This will be highlighted once the model is painted (and particularly when it is drybrushed).

As will all of these entries, a similar post will appear on The official Lead Adventure thread, go to this link for more details.

Tony

Build Something 2015 - part eight

My Lead Adventure Forum, Build Something 2015 Contest entry continues  and I have now added a flagstone base to The Horseshoe Forge.

The base was constructed from 3mm plastic card (the sort that is used for point-of-sale advertising) with the individual stones carved into the plastic with a scalpel. I then used a rough stone (actually a broken roof tile) to impress the stone texture and finally sanded the base with some rough sandpaper.

The master terrain builder Emanuel Noullier (who features in Military Modeller and Continental Railway Modeller) is an expert at using this material. see this link and this link for details.

The three images below show the effect better than words. Details will also be posted on the LAF Contest thread, here.

NOTE:
This plastic card is not the thin plastic card used by modellers and written about by scratch-builders, but a thicker and softer plastic card used by sign makers and for use in stores as POS. If in doubt, you should be able to easily flex the card and mark the surface with your fingernail.

The card can be cut easily and textured by pressing stones or sandpaper into the surface and sanding or texturing with a wire brush. It can also be glued together with superglue and if layered can produce very strong structures.

I find that you can pick up off-cuts very cheaply and sometimes for free, if you contact department stores who are usually only too pleased to supply the out-of-date advertising material free of charge.

My latest batch is a Stanley Knife advertising board. Be aware that the same plastic card is sometimes covered with coloured sticky-back plastic, which can be easily removed.

Tony

Build Something 2015 - part seven

Construction continues. I have now added my first bits of DAS modelling clay to The Horseshoe Forge. The DAS is always added over a layer of dilute uPVA glue, to help make the clay stick and to stop shrinkage.

The DAS around the roof eaves helps to smooth out any gaps and will make tiling easier.

The following two images show how I create 'hills and troughs' the natural undulations of a traditionally built roof. I build up layers of torn paper, one over the other and glued in place with more uPVA glue until I have a subtle rippling. Try not to be too heavy handed with this, I have found that subtlety is the key.

For more details of the LAF Built Something Contest go to this link.

More daily updates to follow.

Tony

West Midlands Military Show 2015

There is just over one month to go to the Alumwell Wargames, West Midlands Military Show 2015.

Full details of the show can be found here. This year I will be attending as an exhibitor, showing the scratch built models that have featured in Building Wargame Terrain, More Wargame Terrain and here on this Blog. If you are planning on coming, pop by and say hello.

The show will be held at;

Aldersley Leisure Village

Aldersley Road

Wolverhampton

WV6 9NW

The shown will take place on;

Sunday 8th March 2015. 

Doors open and 10.00 and the entry fee is £3.00 for adults with concessions for others.

Tony

Build Something 2015 - part six

I have continued to add textured Green Foam planking to the wooden areas of The Horseshoe Forge following the layout in the original sketch. In addition you can see that I have modified the model to include a Hipped roof end rather than the two Gabble ends of the earlier design. This was done with a thin sheet of balsawood glued in place with superglue.

The following images show the construction so far. For larger images, please click on the pictures.

Once again, I am not looking for a perfect finish, as I can fill in and add to the design later.

You can follow the LAF Build Something Contest via this link. More to follow.

Tony