Fast and easy layout baseboards ...

Ojaste

Not all of us are 1:1 craftsman and can build a flat and square baseboard. Or we live in apartments and have no wood working tools, Here is an idea, that may or not be new, to get instant layout baseboards or diorama bases.

It's called Gallery Wood Panels that artists use for painting on. For an example,

http://www.dickblick.com/products/american-easel-wood-painting-panels/#photos

http://www.deserres.ca/en-ca/products/beaux-arts/toiles-et-supports/panneaux-de-bois/gallery-wood-panel/270/APBGAL/

They come in many sizes and thickness and have edges an good enough to support smaller dioramas. They can be civered in foam and and will be quite ridged

Another base for a diorama can shadow box frames. You turn them upside down and cut 1" foam as you pr base. These can be expensive but if you get a black one with discount coupons a Michaels it will ve already oainted.

Something to think about next time you are doing a diorama of a module.

Marty

Bill

That's pretty cool, Marty.
When I saw Dick Blick, I was prepared for serious sticker shock. But most sizes that would fit a diorama run about $10-$15.

Thanks for the heads up!
Bill

Ojaste

Yes, the pricing a bit high for the larger ones, but sales and other suppliers are cheaper.

http://www.cheapjoes.com/papers-and-boards/wood-and-hardboard-panels/joe-s-prime-2-profile-cradled-painting-panels.html

The 2" thickness and larger sizes tend to be a bit pricey, but when you consider the cost of baltic plywood, clear pine, etc, $35 for a 24"x48" panel is very cheap. And the quality is much higher than I could achieve with the equipment I own, let alone the aggravation.

Marty

KKarns

Nice idea find there Marty. I could have a stack of SWSM kits on my shelf right beside that a stack of dio bases to match! Motivation to get some work done...Ken

Ojaste

I've been using these panels to mount photographs on. One of the tricks I found that "Gesso" is your friend,

If you look at the edge of the panel you can see the side of the pine that the birch plywood is glued to. That can easily be painted and it looks great, however the end grain of the plywood does not. This is where Gesso comes in.

Gesso has been used for centuries to cover wood to eliminate the grain in wood and canvasses. It applies like a paint but dries to a VERY hard surface. It can be applied with a brush, but I recommend using a puddy knife and apply it on the edges. Give it a day to dry and sand out any bumps and you will have a paint surface as smooth as glass that takes paint superbly.

Get the cheapest brand of Gesso, I bought a quart for $7. It will still do the job and last forever and is just as durable as the $20 quart.