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I'm about to start working on some new terrain, and I'm looking for something to represent industrial 'grating' flooring. The sort of thing that would provide the flooring for gantries etc...

This stuff..



Ideally i need it to be pretty rigid, about as strong a cardboard. I want to replace all the cardboard parts of some necromunda terrain, see...

Any idea where i can this?

have you tried covering a piece of cardboard in like, orange bag netting? this may work :]

I like to use screen mesh. I had some left over from an old screen door and just rolled it up. To use it I sandwich it between a couple strips of plastic card along the edges. then to give it extra rigidity, us another strip or rod underneath.

Try crochet grid (I think that what it is called). The slots are more square than rectangular, but it probably should work. You should be able to find it at most arts+craft stores.

You can get wire mesh from DIY Hardware shops which should do I can't remember what its for I just picked some up and used it! I think its for a fireplaceprotector or something.........Works well its really rigid.

Why not using etching?
You can find some metal pieces of the rigth size ( or do it)

Have you ever tried Litko Aero systems.....

Nylon window screen. You can get enough to last a lifetime for next to nothing. It holds paint well, and easy to glue to surfaces (I have used it on terrain and model bases) with the ultra thin super glue.

Window screen will not be rigid enough though. I suggest granny grating: found in the knitting/crochet/sewing area of department stores for cheap (2 USD for a pack of 5-10 sheets or so) and it is rigid like cardboard. You have to lightly sand both sides to get it to hold paint, but that is easy enough.

FoxPhoenix135 wrote:Window screen will not be rigid enough though. I suggest granny grating: found in the knitting/crochet/sewing area of department stores for cheap (2 USD for a pack of 5-10 sheets or so) and it is rigid like cardboard. You have to lightly sand both sides to get it to hold paint, but that is easy enough.

Not true at all, I use it all the time. You affix it to whatever surface you wish to texture as grated. You put it over a plasticard or cardboard surface to make it rigid, and the it looks more to scale then the size of the grid on the Granny grating imho...

Window screen sounds like the closest in scale, but I want to use the grating as the surface, not glue it to some cardboard first.

Maybe I could use the window screen, with a grid of supports...?

ArbitorIan wrote:Window screen sounds like the closest in scale, but I want to use the grating as the surface, not glue it to some cardboard first.

Maybe I could use the window screen, with a grid of supports...?

Yeah if you are sure to mount it tight so it can't sag. You could also ue the metal window screen if you need it to actually bear weight and want to see through it. It is more rigid, bears weight and with a support grid would work perfectly...

You can get etched brass etc - many hobby/models stores carry it - but at insane prices.

Specialshapes.com is the one who makes the stuff I use but the website is totally text and really doesn't help, but you can ask for a catalog.

Small Parts.com has a HUGE selection of mesh but it can be A LOT to sift through to get what you want, but they probably have it.

Hobby stores or model trains stores carry a nice mix of stuff - but its not cheap.

Don't be afraid to check out craft stores like Michael's etc. Hardware stores as well, get out of the "models" frame of mind and just check stuff out.

I regularly check out my local surplus stores as well, its pretty neat what you can get for a buck or two from those places.

I have a couple of pieces of brass mesh but i don't think its gonna have the strength you need. But feel free to message me, I have two - I'd be willing to part with one.

I'am not sure if you can get it in the UK or US, but what the the insect screen for windows. The kind you you buy in The Netherlands is already grayish-metaliclike.

Have a look here, have bought a lot from them and they give a good service. http://www.barrule.com/Workshop/scratch%20builders%20paradise/sheet%20materials.html

I'm not sure of the exact name of the product,we always called it "rat wire",it's basicly the same thing as screen door mesh,only with slightly larger "holes" and is much more riged.
I know it's used over vents and such to keep rodents out,and should be available at any hardware store,plus it has the look your going for.

Aluminium car body repair mesh looks good but will need some supporting.