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I've finally decided its time to make a display board. I want to make it out of either a picture frame or a pin up board. Which one would people prefer to buy to build theirs out of? Ive been searching around and im really looking for what materials i'll need to buy and maybe some places i could go to buy it. Im trying to make this as simple and cost wise bare-able as possible.

I made a picture frame board. The middle is foam core supported at the edges by Popsicle sticks at the corners. The texture is made of CORN MEAL and leftover coarse ballast... so it is hard to go cheaper... It isn't great nor durable, but its still mostly in one piece. It did however have enough rigidity to support tanks and metal models.

keezus wrote:I made a picture frame board. The middle is foam core supported at the edges by Popsicle sticks at the corners. The texture is made of CORN MEAL and leftover coarse ballast... so it is hard to go cheaper... It isn't great nor durable, but its still mostly in one piece. It did however have enough rigidity to support tanks and metal models.

Now with the picture frame im assuming you remove the glass? or do you put that foam over the glass?

I took the glass out. Keep in mind... the foam core WILL warp when you glue crap to it, however I was able to jam it in there even though it got curly. The popsicle sticks helped. When it warps, it WILL shed basing material. Just FYI.

I used blue insulation foam for the inside of my display board. The frame I got was about 1 1/4" deep, so I was able to layer two sheets of foam inside to make hills/risers that were only a little above the frame itself. Glued in with white glue and pinned with toothpicks since it's not made of paper it's not going to warp. Holds the limestone sand I used as basing material pretty good, although if I did it again, I'd probably go with keezus' corn meal or use the fine sand I get out of my front yard.

Wally*World has very affordable and attractive frames that hold mass-produced art that are perfect for this.

You might try using masonite for the board. It won't warp when you put the glue on, the way the foam core does.

Another good thing to start with is a 2x2 ceiling tile. They have a small rim around them, that sets into a drop ceiling. I put masking tape on the edge and paint the edge black, then texutre the top of the tile.

You can get old pictures really cheaply at thrift stores. Just take out the crappy "art" and use the frame, but you will probably need to paint them. MDF hardboard is cheap, around $5-~$10USD for a 4'x8' sheet and makes a good base.

So i bought a 18x22 pin up board (or a cork board with a frame on it). And im wondering if i could just spray over it then add basing materials onto it? Or would i need a more "flat" surface since the cork has a small amount of texture to it being made from cork?

(might be a dumb question but i dont want to mess it up haha)

by the way i got it for 6 dollars at target, hell of a deal