<![CDATA[Latest posts for the thread "Need help making my game board. "]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/8.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net Need help making my game board. LOS for medium sized units, but narrow enough to prevent transports from running it. I realize this could end up giving decisive tactical advantage to one team, so I will model in openings at both ends. Something like docks, to allow defenders to post up if a force is traversing it.

I also would like to make some sort of complex that models can actually go inside, what type of rules shenannagins should I be aware of? Or is this not allowed in 40k? The idea is to give both teams a significant piece of terrain that provides advantage on both sides of the board.

I do plan on making the board somewhat modular with buildings that can be moved around.

Now my question at this point is what type of foam should I use? I realize its insulation foam I can find at a hardware store, but is there a particular brand or some type of rating I should be aware of?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6476751.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6476751.page GMT Need help making my game board. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6476761.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6476761.page GMT Need help making my game board. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6477155.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6477155.page GMT Need help making my game board.
The main consideration is what thickness to get. Thicker boards save time and glue when building up tall forms, but need to be planed/carved down to get more subtle variation. Thin sheets are more flexible, but require more work (more layers to glue, more seams to mask) to achieve equivalent height. If you live in a more temperate climate, you may find that the selection is slanted toward the thin end, effectively making the call for you.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6478552.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6478552.page GMT Need help making my game board.
 oadie wrote:
No particular brand or rating to worry about. As long as it's extruded (NOT expanded - you don't want the crunchy matrix or squishy beaded kind) polystyrene foam, you're good to go. Doesn't seem to be any appreciable difference between blue and pink, either (just a matter of branding, as far as I know). Some boards come with a plastic sheet adhered to one side that you'll want to peel off before working, but that's about the only (easily circumventable) practical variation I've seen.

The main consideration is what thickness to get. Thicker boards save time and glue when building up tall forms, but need to be planed/carved down to get more subtle variation. Thin sheets are more flexible, but require more work (more layers to glue, more seams to mask) to achieve equivalent height. If you live in a more temperate climate, you may find that the selection is slanted toward the thin end, effectively making the call for you.


Thank you very much. Ok extruded, got it. I live in North Dakota so we got the 2" stuff, thanks.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I have another thread for this but I'll ask anyway. Ay recommendation for a cutter? Or a method to cut? ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6479485.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6479485.page GMT Need help making my game board.
Hot wire cutters/hot knives are another option. I picked up a cheap "knife" (thin rod that heats up, not a tensioned wire - looks like a weedy screwdriver instead of a slingshot) to try, but haven't even felt the need to break it out. I don't like the finish that hot cutters leave, so I'd end up carving the cut faces by hand, anyway. That being the case, I see no reason to deal with the fumes and strings of melted foam when a regular knife works just fine. If you don't mind the old-school "tiered hills" look (flat top, steep, wiggly edge), though, a hot cutter of some sort would save you a lot of time. Same if you plan to layer intricate shapes with a lot of inside cuts (which wide blades don't handle well).

I've seen some absolutely amazing work done in foam with hot tools, but it takes skill, practice, and quality equipment to achieve it. For basic work, I don't generally think they're worth it. Many swear by them, though, so YMMV.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6480002.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6480002.page GMT Need help making my game board. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6480163.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/575879/6480163.page GMT