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Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

So as I am trying to figure out how to build my fancy low-tech industrial Ariadna outpost I realize that terrain is freaking expensive. Sure, wargaming is an expensive hobby, and Infinity has some great miniatures that we love to spend money on. But we are still in a recession and there is a reason we are playing the game with the free PDF rulebook. Any penny saved somewhere else lets us buy another great mini! So while I was drooling over the fancy habitat-pods in the infinity range, MAS walkways, and Hirst Art Molds for pipelines I also realize that I could buy a lot of Ariadna for that kind of dough. I remembered one of the guys on the official Infinity forum giving some sage advice one: "Go to the hardware store!"

So today I decided to visit my friendly neighborhood Home Depot to see what I could come up with. I basically just walked up and down the store and grabbed stuff that was cheap and looked like it could be something useful. When all was said and done I was out $25 and came home with three bags.



"Great d-usa, you got fancy plastic bags to use as terrain. Why don't you show us what you actually got !"

Fine, (rough crowd).....

First on the list was some pipelines!



And by pipelines I mean 1/2 inch PVC pipe and fittings. 2 foot of pipe cost $1 and the fittings are anywhere between $0.50 and $1.50. I cut the pipe into smaller sections to see what they would look like running across the table:





One inch gives lots of cover, and PVC pipes are available in many different diameters (1 or 1.5 inch could block Line of Sight for most things. Lots of options for customizing and if you are going to install it on a foam board like mine you don't have to run it over the whole table. You could use elbow pieces to have it come out of the ground, run along the surface for valves, controls, tank stations, etc before going back into the ground. Not a bad little option for ~$5 right there. Keep in mind that you will have to cut the pipes.

These things are caps for fence posts. They are some of the more "expensive options" here, running $1.50 to $2.50. I kind of see some potential in them, but I'm not sure"





As I was walking through the concrete section I saw these things:



You get 20 (that's right guys, twenty!) of these things for $2.95. At the very least it is a handy bag full of scatter terrain, giving you some of that always needed cover. But what I am really seeing is using these things as a base for an elevated walkway. Sure, that will crank up the price of a final project, so for the sake of "lots of terrain for cheap" I will count them as scatter terrain, but the potential for scratch building is there .

For another $3 you can get a heli-pad!



And with these drains you can really get crazy. They had some pretty futuristic things if you are willing to go expensive ($5-$10), but for the sake of cheap I grabbed this little number.

But for me one of the absolute highlights of the trip are these things:



Electrical boxes, lots of them. In many different shapes and sizes. Now don't get me wrong, these can get expensive. But the smallest one in this mix is $0.27 and the most expensive one I picked up was $2.18.







And for $0.50 you can get a metal box:



Next up was the lumber section where I came across a small selections of metal thingies that are used to join studs together:



They also come in a ton of different configurations and sizes and I just picked up a few in the $2.00 or less range. They seemed like they could make nice cover options, maybe as defense lines or dugouts. But what really stood out to me was being able to combine them with the electrical boxes:





The first one seems like a good way to set up an objective point, it just seems like it is asking for some sort of control panel to be placed on the inside that needs to be hacked.

One thing that I just kind of picked up and didn't really think about much where these things:



In all honestly I was pretty "meh" about them at the store. But they were $0.76 a piece so I stuck two of them in my cart. And I have to say that once I played with them I saw a lot of potential.

Bridges!



They combine to form a little bridge! And all it takes is a piece of foam board (or plasticard) for a floor instead of the piece itself and you can make a bridge as long and as wide as you want!





And there is always the trusty old defense line:



Remember, these are less than $1.00 each, how much does a GW defense line set you back?

So after all the individual pictures, what does $25 of Home Depot terrain look like all at once? I only have a 2x4 board set up, but here is an idea of what your board can look like for $50 on a 4x4 board.



Still needs more scatter terrain. But with some paint I think I have the start of something fun.
   
Made in us
Leaping Khawarij





Baltimore

Damn man, that is incredibly inspirational. With a bit of work, a couple trips to the bitz box, and paint, that could be a seriously great board. Combining that with those cheap Chemical Plant kits along with some other things would be awesome. And lets not forget vehicles.

Thanks for the pics and the thoughts. This weekend needs a Home Despot trip apparently!

Chem's Infinity Blog - Dat Fiday - 7/31/14
Chem's 40K and Assorted Hijinx
CC Paints Endless Fantasy Tactics - Second Wave Assemble!

"-and all that time in Paris, when you were wallowing in debauchery with your doxies, tarts and pirates... you were trying to convince me you were a disgusting, swinish, lecherous, drunken sot... Well I want you to know it worked.

Well done." 
   
Made in us
Hacking Shang Jí






Chicago burbs

I thought I'd add to this. Here's a pic of my buddies terrain and how great PVC pipe can be. Man this thing is a sight blocker.

Also you can make walls from wall trim that is cut and glued back to back together.



I love that black thing you got. It would work really well has a holder for PVC pipe.

   
Made in au
Innocent SDF-1 Bridge Bunny





Brisbane, Australia

Seriously wish that kinda shopping was as cheap for us down in Aus.. pretty sure we'd have to pay 3-4x as much, and apart from that, that pink foam stuff isn't sold in this country either =S

So many games, so little time.

So many models, even less time.

Screw it, Netflix and chill. 
   
Made in ph
Utilizing Careful Highlighting





Manila, Philippines

Well it's only sold in countries with winter, so i'm on the same boat: I've been meaning to carve castles and hills using pink/blue foam but no, we have an endless summer (and occasional floods). I've tried replicating it using your normal white styrofoam but it's not the saaaaaame.


 
   
Made in gb
Joined the Military for Authentic Experience





On an Express Elevator to Hell!!

Absolutely awesome use of stuff, and very inspirational, thread exalted!

Epic 30K&40K! A new players guide, contributors welcome https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/751316.page
Small but perfectly formed! A Great Crusade Epic 6mm project: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694411.page

 
   
Made in us
Hacking Shang Jí






Chicago burbs

Even so guys you should just take a stroll through any hardware store and let your imagination go.

   
Made in gb
Rampaging Furioso Blood Angel Dreadnought




Potters Bar, UK

Wow, what a great collection of terrain for such a cheap price, nice freaking wowk d-usa!

I must admit that other than finding a game (i know, i know i need to learn to drive) when i actually got into the game terrain was something that really jumped out at me as a potential huge expense....but after seeing this my worries are all washed away in a tide of DIY kits

inmygravenimage wrote:Have courage, faith and beer, my friend - it will be done!
MeanGreenStompa wrote:Anonymity breeds aggression.
Chowderhead wrote:Just hit the "Triangle of Friendship", as I call it.
 
   
Made in us
Hacking Shang Jí






Chicago burbs

I'm looking forward to seeing it painted up. Even just a grey primer will help them look cool.

Those electrical boxes will be shiny! with a metallic paint on it.

   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka







I keep coming back to see this, it's so inspiring, dude.

People talk about this idea of using hardware store bits and bobs all the time but your the first person i've seen that's pulled their finger out and had a bash at it. Myself included. And what a bash you've had! It's gona look great, please keep us updated.

PVC pipe and the fittings are such a great, and cheap, untapped source for hobby terrain and basing. I love it, i'm not sure why you don't see more of it.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/11/07 17:30:58


   
Made in gb
Avatar of the Bloody-Handed God






Inside your mind, corrupting the pathways

Going to be interesting to see what you come up with - I like the "bridges" you have

   
Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

 SilverMK2 wrote:
Going to be interesting to see what you come up with - I like the "bridges" you have


Made them more bridge-like now

Keeping with trying to save money and used some plasticard that I had laying around to make the bridge a little wider and longer, used some "diamond-sheet metal" plasticard for texture, and then just super glued the side rails on it.

Total cost for this bridge:

$1.50 in metal hand rails.
$5.00 for enough plasticard to build a ton of bridges.







Only two concerns so far:

1) There is a little gap along one half of the rail between the rail and the bottom. I might try to fill that in, but I think it gives it a rugged minimalist industrial charm.
2) Same issue with the two little triangle things sticking out on the inside. Thinking about adding a post in each for either street lights or maybe warning signs. Maybe use it for cross bars to block the streets or give cover.
   
Made in ca
Plastictrees





Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Walmart sells plastic needlepoint/cross stitch canvas for a few dollars per big sheet. It's basically a plastic grid and makes great industrial flooring.
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

How thick is it? The main reason I went with plasticard was for a little structural support.
   
Made in us
[DCM]
-






-

Where did you get that plasticard from - Home Depot too?

If so - in what section?

   
Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

I wish Home Depot had plasticard!

They were leftovers in my hobby box, purchased online last year. Hobby Lobby has plasticard now, I think...
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka







Nice update.

   
Made in ca
Plastictrees





Calgary, Alberta, Canada

 d-usa wrote:
How thick is it? The main reason I went with plasticard was for a little structural support.


About 3mm, but it's more flexible than 3mm plasticard would be.
Take a look at For Sale and Warning signs in Home Depot for cheap "plasticard". Also take a look at wallpaper and drawer/cupboard liners for some nice cheap flooring and wall textures.
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

Hit up the bridge with some spray paint to finish it up:



Went with a dark "hammered" steel spray paint to give it some texture. Not bad for a cheap and quick bridge build. Thinking about doing 4 of them total to cover different routes over the canal.

Also tried out two different spray paints for the buildings.

First one was a textured sandstone color:



While I liked the idea of texture, this paint is a pain in the rear. Will not spray consistently resulting in areas with runny paint, clogs up like a mother, and doesn't cover all that well. It's a nice idea, but I don't think its a good solution. Also one can of that stuff costs as much as 3 cans of cheap grey paint.

Which is what I used here:



(which looked fine on my phone, but now it's dark )

I like the grey look better, makes it look like smooth pre-fab concrete and will make it easy to add doors, panels, controls, pipes...

Also worked on smoothing out the sides of the canal with some plaster:



I got paint and sand to cover the pink foam once everything is dry, and I will spend the next few days trying to come up with a layout for this board and the second 2x4 section.

I've been keeping this thread in mind:

http://www.infinitythegame.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=13758&pid=257459#pid257459

And it has me thinking about building a somewhat asymmetrical table. My original plan was to have a similar canal on the other side (basically reverse the canal on board #1 and have the two boards together form a Y) but I think I might keep the canal minimal on the other side and almost function more like a moat and maybe keep this side more like a defensive position. Good if you are planing on staying in place, not that great if you have to leave with only a few bridges to cross the canal.

Another consideration is that I am using two foam boards to make the canal deep enough where infantry models can walk around in it without being seen at all by street level infantry. I wanted to make it easy to get across the table with it by having straight lines that are protected from street level responses, but make it risky with minimal cover and also make people consider if they should dedicate a model to defend the canal. If I don't want to do full canals on the other board I was thinking about doing reclamation ponds or drainage ponds with small drainage canals leading to the big canal. Basically just cut out one of the foam sheets, which would give cover but still allow models to be seen from street level.

Here is how deep it is with one sheet cut out:



So you can still see the head, and I might fill in the bottom to make the model stick out a bit more.

So lots for me to think about, but there is still time.
   
Made in ca
Fresh-Faced New User




I'm definitely going to get down to homedepot this holiday season.

Root around for some sweet terrain.

Those electrical boxes are genius!
   
Made in us
Hacking Shang Jí






Chicago burbs

Fantastic update d-USA.

Because of this thread I started looking on the HD website. I found a few cool and cheap things that can be used.

Weather Stripping! That stuff would look great around the canal. Since it's man-made they would have done something like that for safety. Also great for the corners of buildings.



I can't tell the size on this but it's only about $3.00 so it can't be that big.


   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






Madison, WI

Great stuff d. Really looking forward to watching you finish the table. Inspirational to be sure!

Anvildude: "Honestly, it's kinda refreshing to see an Ork vehicle that doesn't look like a rainbow threw up on it."

Gitsplitta's Unified Painting Theory
 
   
Made in us
Leaping Khawarij





Baltimore

This thread makes me happy. I don't have the room at home to build a board right now... but I'm thinking I might get a gang together at the store and see if they'll let us build something there.

Chem's Infinity Blog - Dat Fiday - 7/31/14
Chem's 40K and Assorted Hijinx
CC Paints Endless Fantasy Tactics - Second Wave Assemble!

"-and all that time in Paris, when you were wallowing in debauchery with your doxies, tarts and pirates... you were trying to convince me you were a disgusting, swinish, lecherous, drunken sot... Well I want you to know it worked.

Well done." 
   
Made in ca
Trustworthy Shas'vre




40K player here. Playing Tau I'm not huge into the crazy gothic skull thing. But this, this could work.

Great job, subscribing so I can steal future ideas from here.

Tau and Space Wolves since 5th Edition. 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





US

Damn you, I just dropped by HD for giggles... and went nuts. Unlike most infinity players I already have like 5 boards worth of Infinity level terrain lol. However it's an addiction of fun.

$75 later...

I'll post some pics up of additional things you didn't have up. One thing I couldn't find though was those plastic concrete section things. Any clue what they were called? Looked all over the place :(

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/11/08 18:01:37


Craftworld Uaire-Nem pics "Like shimmering daggers of light our fury shall rain down and cleanse this battlefield." Autarch of Uaire-Nem
BlueDagger's Nomad pics - "Morality, my friend, is merely a price tag." - BlueDagger, Contraband Dealer. Holo-recording played during the murder trial of an undercover PanOceania officer. Court Record 9002xaB, . Infinity Nomads - Come see what it's all about!
|Looking for War-gaming matches in the Colorado area? Colorado Infinity
 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

They are in a bag of 20 sitting right by the rebar. Had a shelf with dividers for the different lengths of metal, orange rebar caps, and one of the section has the plastic lifters.
   
Made in us
Hacking Shang Jí






Chicago burbs

Hmmm I think i need to make a trip. I need a washer for the bottom of my Anathematic anyway.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





US

@ CDK - don't use washers, use bird shot.

K here is some of the goodies I got...

Some vinyl trim 10' for $2.85


I figure this could make great walkways or a balcony. Even if I have no good use for it it was 2.85 for 10 feet of the stuff.


Granite pattern adhesive contact paper. $7.47


Should work great for the floor of the piles of foamboard buildings I have. Not sure how much one roll will get me done, but we'll see.

4" PVC pipe. $5.97 2 foot


I'm goign to cut this into small pieces, cut about 1" off the bottom and mount it for an effect similar to this...



The bottom will look like it's down under some dirt but should give it a cool industrial construction effect. Similar tunnels have been used in FPS shooters for a long time.

Circular electrical boxes $ varies


I think the circular ones should look really cool with the pipe coming down into them.

I also got a pletora of electrical boxes and pipe, pipe junctions,etc.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/11/08 22:59:12


Craftworld Uaire-Nem pics "Like shimmering daggers of light our fury shall rain down and cleanse this battlefield." Autarch of Uaire-Nem
BlueDagger's Nomad pics - "Morality, my friend, is merely a price tag." - BlueDagger, Contraband Dealer. Holo-recording played during the murder trial of an undercover PanOceania officer. Court Record 9002xaB, . Infinity Nomads - Come see what it's all about!
|Looking for War-gaming matches in the Colorado area? Colorado Infinity
 
   
Made in us
Leaping Khawarij





Baltimore

The vinyl trim looks perfect for being an industrial walkway.

I feel like there should be some $100 challenge or something. You have 100 bucks to go get all the materials to make a small board, (3x3? 2x3?)... so that's paint, foam, bits, junk... and see what people come up with.

I would have to buy so much spraypaint...

Chem's Infinity Blog - Dat Fiday - 7/31/14
Chem's 40K and Assorted Hijinx
CC Paints Endless Fantasy Tactics - Second Wave Assemble!

"-and all that time in Paris, when you were wallowing in debauchery with your doxies, tarts and pirates... you were trying to convince me you were a disgusting, swinish, lecherous, drunken sot... Well I want you to know it worked.

Well done." 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

There is a challenge like that on the infinity boards I think.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Working on doing a little work on the electical boxes.

Combined one of the medium boxes with one of the metal framies, and adding bits and pieces from the always helpful "plastic refinery set":





I am trying to think about scenarios and campaigns with the terrain. At the store we often use basic poker chips as objective markers and such, but I like forging a narative .

So instead of only looking like fun terrain, I try to think about possibilities: You need to reach the valve on top and turn something on/off. Hack the panels on the other side of the building, etc...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/11/09 01:56:55


 
   
 
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