Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Can't see much difference between those posts unfortunately but that may be because of the picture.

Great looking terrain though. The grout looks very effective there.

 ckig wrote:
Can't see much difference between those posts unfortunately but that may be because of the picture.

Great looking terrain though. The grout looks very effective there.

Thanks, ckig! As to the difference between sanded and not sanded, i get the feeling the tiny details aren't going to show up in photos. Hell, people might not even notice the difference once it's painted. But I'll know. And I feel like the rougher texture will allow paint to stick to it better and maybe(?) make it seem more realistic? I don't know. I just feel better sanding it down.

Terrifying level of detail you're going into there. And I like your logic. You'll know. Otherwise, it'll nag you.

Thanks, graven. You don't know the half of it.

Speaking of detail, here's more. I found a box of sewing pins.


Drilled holes in my railing material and used those holes as guidelines for my prepoked holes.


I also used the two railing sections to make sure each post was the correct length or close enough.


Then, because I had all these O rings left over from shaving the posts to size, I added some minir details to the railings themselves.


First rail up, with and without Barry for scale.


Second railing up.


And finally the banister. Start to finish this was a really easy detail to add.


Commentary always appreciated. Thanks for looking. Have an awesome day.

Lovely attention to detail! Though I feel the pin-heads are a tad big. Maybe use the ones without the big knobs on top?

Looking really great, the size of the head will probably be ok once all painted in. Not 100% the sloping rail, but it is still WIP so give you a chance on that. I might be tempted to put some kind of panelling in maybe some mesh or glass.

As to sanding down the shine, I do it all the time, sand the parts to give the paint a better key. Has no real affect on the end result to be honest, other than the paint sticks better, and sometimes it smooths out the finish a little.

As Der Kommissar said- great attention to detail! Really solid work, and the fact that you had pieces left from another part of the build and you said to yourself "I can make something with that" really resonates with me.

If it ain't Overdone- it ain't done yet!

The large round tops could work out depending on the theme of the restaurant/ seating area. If it's a tropical themed design just paint them like oranges , if it's techno then paint it like disco balls.

Either way great job on the rails.

Thanks for the feedback, folks. More updates shortly.

Those look like map pins, not sewing pins. Either way, an excellent use for them. Good railing can be a bit tedious to do, but as the photos show, totally worth the effort.

I'm thinking of adding a staircase to the back of this building, but the original idea was for just a ladder. Really, I'm considering the stairs so I don't have to fiddle with a smaller rail at the back.

So, I can't decide, please vote:

Ladder up the back and mini-rail

Or

Staircase into the backyard, probably parallel to the back of the building

Small operable service elevator .....just kidding, I think stairs for visual appeal and gaming use(easier to set models on).

Stairs for gaming, but a ladder would make more sense. Depends a bit on the systems you intend to use it for, actually. If you don't need access there for gaming purposes, a billboard or a neon sign would also fit right in.

Stairs, fire escape style - or ladder and levels

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Stairs, fire escape style - or ladder and levels

The building isn't tall enough for a fire escape. Unless you mean I should make the stairs appear to be made of metal?

Stairs, definitely.

 Warboss_Waaazag wrote:

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Stairs, fire escape style - or ladder and levels

The building isn't tall enough for a fire escape. Unless you mean I should make the stairs appear to be made of metal?

^Yup. Sorry I didn't make that clearer! Maybe some mesh over them?

It seems the majority have voted stairs.

Hmm, so my idea regarding those stairs was originally to build a block of foamcore and have a staircase much like the one in the front of the building. But now I'm thinking to have a stepdown platform and a metal frame work with a short section of metal stairs. (Thanks for the idea, graven).

I want a staircase that leaves room between itself and the back wall of the building, so that the platform creates a sort of archway beneath it. I'm not entirely sure this will work with a metal frame work of support beneath the platform, but I think I have enough room in the backyard to make it work.

Thoughts? Input?

 Warboss_Waaazag wrote:
It seems the majority have voted stairs.

Hmm, so my idea regarding those stairs was originally to build a block of foamcore and have a staircase much like the one in the front of the building. But now I'm thinking to have a stepdown platform and a metal frame work with a short section of metal stairs. (Thanks for the idea, graven).

I want a staircase that leaves room between itself and the back wall of the building, so that the platform creates a sort of archway beneath it. I'm not entirely sure this will work with a metal frame work of support beneath the platform, but I think I have enough room in the backyard to make it work.

Thoughts? Input?

I live to give I think that your archway idea is pretty sound. A very thin set of supports should make it viable.

I like the idea, my only question would be, from a 'realism' standpoint: why? Why is there an archway? Is something preventing the stairs from being right next to the wall? Not to make your life difficult, it's just that my mind goes off at strange tangents at times

 CommissarKhaine wrote:
I like the idea, my only question would be, from a 'realism' standpoint: why? Why is there an archway? Is something preventing the stairs from being right next to the wall? Not to make your life difficult, it's just that my mind goes off at strange tangents at times

Storage. The idea was to put random bits of crap in there - like bags of trash, long pipes, random bits of wood, and/or a trash can or two.

Not sure you have the height, but could do a combo of the two.
US fire escape style.

Good work.

A bit late (maybe) but for the steps you could do both.
Have a concrete stair set apart from the building to give the alleyway and then a metal walkway across to the building.

Maybe it was built that way, the builders couldn't find a way to make an arch, or too lazy.
Maybe the arch collapsed and has been replaced with the metal walkway as a temporary solution.

 Warboss_Waaazag wrote:

 CommissarKhaine wrote:
I like the idea, my only question would be, from a 'realism' standpoint: why? Why is there an archway? Is something preventing the stairs from being right next to the wall? Not to make your life difficult, it's just that my mind goes off at strange tangents at times

Storage. The idea was to put random bits of crap in there - like bags of trash, long pipes, random bits of wood, and/or a trash can or two.

Sounds like you got it all figured out then. Now get working!

First, I want to apologize for being away for so long. This past year has been tough. My Dad died unexpectedly at the very beginning of the year and coming up on the one year anniversary does not make his passing any easier.

Second, I want to apologize for never seeming to finish any projects. It's the nature of my ADHD; it's easier to start a project than finish one. Fear not, I am forever working on everything and will likely get back to your favorite build of mine eventually.

Third, I've been busy writing a Space Hulk / 40k / Inquisimunda - compatable campaign and posting updates on the General Discussion forum. You will find it here. To that end, and because I also find myself running a Deathwatch RPG for people unfamiliar with the lore, I have started another new project. I am building a "space dungeon" set. Essentially detailed tiles that can be used to represent spaceship interiors, mining facilities, Imperial bases, etc.

Here is what I've done so far - measured and poorly cut a section of 20" x 30" foamcore (that I bought at an art store called Blick, because they sell bigger sheets than craft stores) into a bunch of 2" wide, various length corridors and turns, plus a bunch of 5" x 5" and a few larger rooms. Next I'll move on to detailing them.

These are literally just bases, so I don't care how sloppily cut they are.


Feedback always appreciated, although I know there's not much here so far. Cheers.

Welcome back Warboss, life has a funny way of changing how we live our life. Looking forward to any projects you start and stop.

Good to have you back old son.

I like your use of Red, and the inclusion of stairs - you doin't see those often and it adds a great touch of realism.

Thanks for the feedback, folks! I did work on one of the corridors.

Welcome back 'boss.
Good work on the corridor. Look forward to more.