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I was wondering whether this stuff:

http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/materials-tools/sheet-materials/styrofoam.html

Would be the right stuff for making scenery? I intend to make some buildings/market places etc kind of like the areas in DoW2 - the maps that are kind of like desert towns. So basically, little houses and buildings, walls, steps, platforms etc. I'd cover these with PVA glue and sand then paint over them to give a kind of sandy colour. Do you think that this is the ideal material for that?

For the ground - where you see kind of layered areas on other people's battle tables, I'll do the same glue/sand/paint technique but with normal polystyrene cause I have a load of that and I can get some good textures.

I think in the USA it's referred to as extruded polystyrene and I think that the stuff in my link is the same thing. Thanks for your advice

P.S - just realised I used 'kind of' a lot in there but not going back to fix it

Is it the same as extruded foam used in insulation?
Yep.

Is it good for terrain, hills, etc? Yes - still needs to be based for duability though - on mdf/hardboard.

Blue/pink foams are extruded and have a tighter foam with a firmer structure. It is also heavier for a given sheet size than the white foam of the same size. White foam is 'expanded' and has larger, visible 'grains' (gas is injected into the heated styrene to 'fluff' it up)

Thanks for the info Chromedog.

But you say it needs to be based? Even if I'm using it to make walls/roofs etc? When I put sand and PVA glue on it, it will go rock hard. surely thats enough?

For things like area terrain, I would put some kind of something under it to help define the area and keep it all together but with the little buildings, I don't intend to put them on bases - they will just be buildings that you can lift up and they wont have any floors. Do you think this stuff is ok for that?

Sounds interesting this project! i'm starting to get into terrain and will follow this to learn any tips you come up with! already learnt that extruded foam is what I need to ask for! i'm already learning! thanks dudes.


Nerdfest09

Actually, if we want to make this a 'help us make a battleboard' thread, can anyone tell me, what do you use to stick pieces of styrofoam (extruded polystyrene) together? Is superglue ok?

I've found another UK supplier that seems to sell it in bigger sheets so probably better prices:

http://www.homecrafts.co.uk/products-Styrofoam-Sheets-And-Blocks_M831.htm

no superglue will bite/chew and melt through your styrofoam as will general purpose contact adhgesive (thixofix), you need either styrafoam glue/uhu/copydex or PVA, Pva will take ages to dry and will hold the worst out of those options in my opinion.

If your not sure which type of glue to use take a couple of pieces of scrap and experiment in two ways, first will the glue melt the foam? If the answer is no will it stick this flat piece to another flat piece?

Can I also ask, what type of paint is good for painting the actual board? Since things will be going on top of it/scratching it etc, do I need a particular type of paint?

For type of paint, I would just buy a big can of paint from your local hardware store. Honestly, it works fine for terrain and stuff, it's cheaper and it comes in the larger quantities, which you're going to need.


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But watch out, spray paint can melt certain types of foam. For you newer modelers, always test out new brands of paint on a spare model/piece of foam to make sure it doesn't do anything unexpected

Thanks Imark789, I'll just get some regular stuff then.

As for the foam melting, I always make sure I cover it in PVA glue before doing anything to it after an incident with plastic glue and polystyrene - I learned my lesson XD


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Just for info:

http://www.graphicsdirect.co.uk/products/foam-2-foam-glue

Looks like the ideal stuff for gluing foam baord