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So there I was, browsing some of the newly released MDF scenery that I was quite looking forward to, when I realized that, honestly, it's still pretty expensive for what you get. I need something for my skirmish gaming, but I would feel silly paying GW-level prices for cut-up board with just a hint of etched detail.

So instead, I'll be updating my original Necromunda set with plasticard platforms instead of cardboard. As it turns out, 1mm plasticard slots into the bulkheads perfectly. It's actually a bit more bendy than the cardboard, so I'll be adding some support elements as well.

This is my first test piece, based on one of the original components. Flawless Host guy for scale.


And a support beam underneath. Still plenty of head space.


Just fooling around and figuring out how much stuff I can make out of one sheet of plasticard (it comes in 50x25 cm sheets here)


I decided to keep it simple at first. What you see here is one sheet cut up. It covers a fair bit of table for just €2 worth, and there's still some left over for support beams.


A scoring tool and a pin vice provide about as much texture as any MDF piece...


Aaaand I'm spent. I'll make a few more interesting shapes tomorrow. What do you think, sirs?

Brilliant idea and excellent work! Can't wait to see what you come up with when you start experimenting a little more

How much detail are you planning to go into with these? You could really go to town with spent ammo casing, bloodstains, grenade damage, rusted walkways and the like...

Thanks! Still undecided about the level of detail. I'd like to make some more 3D shapes and intricate bits like power cables and such, but if I leave them flat they'll pack better and be less prone to breakage. These are intended for public use in my FLGS...

Looks awesome. You might have already been planning too, but I recieve the advice in the past to make rivets out of the pebbles you find in water purifiers. They seem like they would fit perfectly into the holes you drilled.

Which might have already been your intention.

a site you should check out for terrain making. http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/forum/posting.php

Looking good. i recommend using spare sprue as "girders" glued on the undersides to strengthen the platforms. And see if you can find some textured plasticard to add extra detail, especially the various deck-tread patterns.

Nice. Agree with the textured plasticard comment. And I've seen a couple of third party kits that have a similar structure and are way cheaper than anything GW puts out.

I cut up another sheet today, here's what I got:

First up, an original piece. I've probably had these coffee tins in my terrain box for a decade (best before date on them is 2004) and now they have plasticard platforms around them, yay!


Also stackable in other configurations.


And here is a copy of the largest Necromunda platform, just with a round hole instead of a square one.


Details later, first I want to get a nice amount of basic pieces to play on.

Those coffee tins will make great fuel/water storage vats, just glue on a few strips of thin plasticard and add rivets. it may be worth removing the paper labels first, depending on how the paper reacts to paint - do a test.

This might inspire you even more.

check this thread, sir!

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/399826.page

Thanks for that link, very inspiring. My platforms won't be nearly as involved as I want to keep them modular and flat-packable.

I made a fair bit of progress today, cutting up 1 and 1/2 sheets.

First up is an extension for the large platform.



Two of these L-shaped platforms that are compatible with the small square ones.



Back view.



The big piece of the day, 3-story triangular platform.



And from the offcuts I made these small side platforms that only slot into a bulkhead on one side. I think this is an option that was overlooked in the original Necromunda set.



Tomorrow is game night, so I'll be giving these a test run, but I won't be making any new stuff.

Saturday morning update!

First up, copies of the old triangular platforms.



Original thingy.



And some catwalks.



I think this is it for the platforms, because I have used up pretty much all of my 60 bulkheads. So far I have used less than €10 worth of plasticard and I can cover a 4x4 table pretty well. I expect to spend about as much again for adding details like tread-plate textured plasticard, support beams, etc. I also need a few more catwalks and other connecting pieces. Still, this is a very cheap way to cover a table with decent terrain (assuming you already have the bulkheads, of course )

I'll take a picture of everything together next time I play.

Well, since I'm all out of bulkheads (I would be happy to pay reasonable money for them if anyone has any spares) I have started on a few minor non-bulkhead pieces.



Oops, forgot a miniature for scale. It's about twice as tall as a basic infantryguy. This will have an ad for Honest Stan's Wine and Cheese Emporium. It's a... homage... to a local player.



Here, a dude could just about peek over the rectangular platform if standing on tiptoe. There will be pipes added, I own oodles of this stuff.

What are you planning to paint on the road sign?
Perhaps "Mek'Donuldz 20km" ?

Looking good. Pegasus has a couple of kits that look remarkably like the Necromunda sprues you're looking for if I remember correctly.

Awesome looking stuff. I always loved the Necro terrain when I had my set years ago. We even used it for Battletech. I wish I still had it.


Theres a set on ebay right now...the newer release GW called Industrial Battlezone, used but good condition...price is a killer...$99.99.

Thanks for all replies.

I added a few minor things today.


Here's my first catwalk, smaller pics show deck texture and underside.



Then I made these dumpsters.



First two detailed.



The other two will probably have less garbage and some room for models to hide in.

Loving this thread, your plasticard skills are improving by the day!

I wouldn't have guessed that you could detail it as well as that with relatively little work. A+ for the dumpsters.

I wish I had that many bulkheads. Your plasticard skills are AMAZING. Nice job!

I really like your skips. Good stuff!

This stuff is awesome! I find it really inspiring to see what you can make with some simple cutting and braces, looks fantastic and the detailing is great too!

Skips! Awesome. Love the hand reaching out of the one on the right - lovely attention to detail

2 weeks later, I managed to get a game in so here's a shot of it all together. We covered a 4x4 area of a standard sized table. I had 3 bulkheads left after assembling everything.



There are no models because I only remembered to take the pics after the game was over.



I also picked up some new material called Forex, which is very dense PVC foam. It's easier to cut than plasticard and a bit more bendy. I paid 1/6 the cost of an equal amount of plasticard, so that's nice. Unfortunately it doesn't bond with plastic cement.

This is my first piece made from 3mm Forex. Less than €1 of material here.



Not counting the plasticard furniture I already had from before.







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Oh yeah, here are all the dumpsters together.

this.. is.. awesome..

What are you using for the general debris in the bottom of the dumpsters?

Store-bought paper-mache. It's great stuff.

Good news, everyone. A local player has generously donated his old stash of Necromunda terrain to my project. This includes 42 bulkheads, bringing my total to 106! I think I will build... up.


So far I have added an extra level to the large classic platform.


I am now completely out of 1mm plasticard, so I am going to raid the local hobby store's entire supply tomorrow.

And here is a shot of a game of Gangs of Nu Ork in progress using most of my plasticard (apart from the small square platforms) and some original cardboard.

never was a fan of the card terrain but this is awesome!

Excellent work on all counts man. Can't wait to see it all painted up!