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Post by c0d3monk33 on Jul 30, 2005 13:52:17 GMT 12
Nothing too exciting here yet. These are the purchases I've made for August though!  That's two more rather dull resin Quad gun tractors, a blister of two 25pdr guns and a blister of Artillery HQ and observers. I plan on finishing the 25pdr Artillery unit in August... details to follow. |
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 11, 2005 12:12:33 GMT 12
In case people here missed it I actually planned to paint the following this month (from the post on my www.tabletop-terrain.com blog): To complete the Portee anti-tank unit: - 1 6pdr Portee and gun team. More of the 25pdr Artillery unit: - 25pdr Artillery command and staff bases. - 1 Artillery observers base. - 2 cwt Trucks. - 2 Quad gun tractors. More of the second Rifle platoon: - 4 Infantry bases which will fill out the second rifle platoon. However I've been *totally* side-tracked into building a 15mm set of entrenchments that I can cast in Ultracal 30 plaster. I've sculpted two long (well, 7cm) trench sections and am half way through sculpting a 90 degree, two 45 degree (concave and convex) and two end 'stubs' which I plan to finish this week and mold up in the weekend. By next week I should be able to mass produce as much trenchwork as I need! Which leaves me two weeks to furiously try and catch up on the painting I've neglected so far this month! Aieee! |
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 12, 2005 19:48:30 GMT 12
This is the 15mm terrain I've been working on:  From left to right that's a resin, green stuff, spackle and builder's putty master. Next is an Ultracal 30 cast and finally is a half painted Ultracal 30 cast. |
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Post by burbsee on Aug 13, 2005 8:21:44 GMT 12
what is ultracal 30 cast?  |
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Post by Aaron on Aug 13, 2005 11:12:14 GMT 12
Im pretty sure Ultracal is a type of plaster, the 30 refers to its density or hardness.
Its better for making terrain than standard plaster of paris as its more resistant to the dings and dents that gaming can throw up against it.
They look really good all painted up & despite my lack of enthusiasm when I saw them last week I do think you've done an excellent job!
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 13, 2005 11:43:52 GMT 12
I think Ultracal is just a brand name As Aaron said it's a high quality plaster that's made of 85% Plaster of Paris 10% Portland Cement 5% Crystaline Silica So the Plaster of Paris is a fine plaster that captures details really well but is inherently quite weak when set. The Portland cement and silica makes the Ultracal really hard and dense (much like cement in fact  ). You need a sharp metal tool to scratch set Ultracal and it's almost impossible to break in your hands - even these small thin pieces! Just the stuff for terrain that lasts for years  |
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Post by PitYak Studios on Aug 13, 2005 17:22:44 GMT 12
Looking nice. I like the use of plaster.
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 14, 2005 9:21:08 GMT 12
Yeah I'm quite pleased with them. I'm half way through making the joiner pieces as well. Here's a WIP shot of them so far:  Just the sandbags to go and then mold'em and start cranking out casts... |
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Post by PitYak Studios on Aug 14, 2005 14:12:43 GMT 12
how big are they?
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 14, 2005 16:04:17 GMT 12
It's 15mm for FoW so not that big at all. You can just make out the 1cm scale in the lower right corner of the cutting mat they're resting on.
They're aprox. 1.8cm wide (1.5cm of embankment plus ~.3mm of resin cast wooden trench wall) and the longer angled pieces are about 2cm each side of the bend.
Height wise they're designed to allow a FoW Infantry base to stand next to them with rifles just over the top. Although this depends on the figures involved obviously.
I'm also planning to try building a plaster or resin cast dirt/wooden floor as well maybe with some additional details like ammo boxes, discarded shell casings etc. It's kinda tricky to decide what to put into the terrain and what to leave out. I want to make them as generic as possible so I can add the appropriate detail later (ie. German, British or US helmets, ammo boxes and discarded weapons basically)!
I'll post some more photos with some painted Brits once I have molded and cast the first complete round. Fingers crossed they mold ok.
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Post by Aaron on Aug 14, 2005 16:15:45 GMT 12
Those joiners are looking good!
Cant wait to spread them accross the table and let those panzers try and dig out us poor grunts from a real trench!!
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 14, 2005 17:03:02 GMT 12
Heh, yeah I figure even if we don't use them as entrenchments rules wise we can still just play them as 'concealed cover' like your hedges. And if an when we DO play them as trenches we'll have a nicely painted set ready to go! Next on the terrain front is trying to get together some 15mm stone walls for my own use. I do like those ones you picked up...they'd be fine except for the fact they've been cast in plaster of paris  . So I'm really forced to make my own. Also since the matchsticks molded so well for these trench pieces I'm considering trying to make some 15mm wooden gates for detailing. They'd probably work best as a one sided resin cast. The only bummer about creating all this terrain is it takes quite a bit of modelling time to produce a decent master. Consequentially I've basically done NO painting at all this month ... I have done some assembly and basing though! |
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 17, 2005 9:13:59 GMT 12
Casted the joiners! Details on my blog. Here's a piccie!  |
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Post by PitYak Studios on Aug 17, 2005 10:09:20 GMT 12
looking good
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Post by c0d3monk33 on Aug 24, 2005 9:58:22 GMT 12
Absolutely NO progress on my NZers this month except for some minor assembling ... I *have* made a heck of a lot of progress on my modular trenches though...here's a set that's almost painted up:  |
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). You need a sharp metal tool to scratch set Ultracal and it's almost impossible to break in your hands - even these small thin pieces! Just the stuff for terrain that lasts for years 
. So I'm really forced to make my own. Also since the matchsticks molded so well for these trench pieces I'm considering trying to make some 15mm wooden gates for detailing. They'd probably work best as a one sided resin cast.