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Hey,
So I have been experimenting with Autocad and CNC lasers and have been working on making a modular system of industrial walkways and platforms.
I think it would be perfect for games like Necromunda and Infinity. I just got my first set cut and already noticed were some improvements can be made.

I am looking for some advice on painting 3mm MDF and further refinements that can be made to my designs.
I was thinking of using spray paint to seal the MDF and preventing it from swelling from moisture. Not sure what paints are safe to use.





Bunch more photos here on my blog.
http://plansofdiceandmen.blogspot.com.au/

I used plastikote (generic spraypaint I usually use for spraying minis) on mine. If you want to paint it white, you must use a gray primer first - MDF just eats white spray for some reason

Black and gray spray seem to sit and cover well with just one layer.

Look awsome but are the ramps to steep for your models ?

Candle_man wrote:
Look awsome but are the ramps to steep for your models ?

Yes they are. That is one of the first things I noticed, also the ramps are just to narrow to fit two minis side by side.
I have started amending my plans and am getting some more test cuts done.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 SilverMK2 wrote:
I used plastikote (generic spraypaint I usually use for spraying minis) on mine. If you want to paint it white, you must use a gray primer first - MDF just eats white spray for some reason

Black and gray spray seem to sit and cover well with just one layer.

Thanks. I was hoping that normal spay paint would do the trick. I was afraid I would start spraying and end up with soggy mess.

Might seem a bit wasteful - but I actually use a cookie plastic shoe box thing (about the size of a shoe box...probably not meant for that though) and a gallon of Polyurethane varnish from the hardware store (same stuff they use for finishing floors). Dunk the MDF into the container and let it soak for a few seconds then pull it out and let it hang over the container till it stops dripping. When I am done - I pour the unused portion of the varnish back into the gallon till I need it again.

The issue with MDF ends up being the edges. Laser cutting does give it some protection as the burning action ends up helping to seal them to some extent - but it still soaks up whatever you put on it like a sponge. If you just try to paint the edges, you may end up putting on a dozen coats before it finally stops soaking up paint.

Previously, it was recommended that you use something like PVA glue to coat the edges - which works just fine...though I have found that for intricate laser cut designs like what you have - coating all the edges with a brush is a bit of a pain (especially on things like the floor grate). The glue method works fine - but so does the dunk method...and it is nice and fast and gets into all the crevices.

I love your solution for the end pieces where they can go level, up or down - that is brilliant!

To solve the steep ramp issue, see if you can make "stair" piece...it can be used when you need up or down.

Regarding priming and coating - I have found the advice given by others here to be spot on (esp Sean OBrien) - you can also do a test using various "surfacers" sprays or even a thick pva/water spray from a junk spray bottle.

Millsbomb wrote:
Yes they are. That is one of the first things I noticed, also the ramps are just to narrow to fit two minis side by side.
I have started amending my plans and am getting some more test cuts done.

Small things like "connectors" to link 2 ramp sections together might be a good idea. Other than that, great work sir

 Sean_OBrien wrote:
Might seem a bit wasteful - but I actually use a cookie plastic shoe box thing (about the size of a shoe box...probably not meant for that though) and a gallon of Polyurethane varnish from the hardware store (same stuff they use for finishing floors). Dunk the MDF into the container and let it soak for a few seconds then pull it out and let it hang over the container till it stops dripping. When I am done - I pour the unused portion of the varnish back into the gallon till I need it again.

That sounds like the perfect way to seal the detailed areas on all the separate pieces at the same time.
perhaps I can dunk each piece then hang them over a large drip tray and then pore the drip tray back into the tin.