257 replies to this topic

[dannyi]

...thanks Terry.....the brick columns are three separate pieces each of foam board. I made an extra panel just for those. The front and side pieces are cut on a 45 degree angles so the bricks on the corners look like full bricks. I made the front piece a full 3 bricks wide. The side pieces need to be cut so they match the full brick, half brick on the front panel. Then I used a tooth pick to add Elmers glue to the sharp edges. After the glue dried I lightly sanded the edge to round off the bricks. Making the columns was a bit time consuming but I really liked the effect once finished. The foam board is 3/16" thick and I got it at Hobby Lobby but most stroes that have graft/hobby section carry it.. The panel side use to scribe the brick on needs to have the paper backing removed. Some brands of foam board you can just peel it right off but other brands it needs to be dampened to loosen the glue on the paper. Once the paper backing is removed the panel becomes pretty flimsy. So I glued another section of foam board to the back of each panel for strength. The back and side walls are tied together with 3/8" pine trim boards. Once it's all screwed and glued together it's a pretty strong set up. Case in point was after it was dropped from nearly 6 ft., just the upper left corner split open. The rafter/joist are actually bass wood, 3/32" x 1/2". It's a bit stronger and has a cleaner finish the balsa wood.

[vaughn]

Thanks for the info Dannyi. Putting together a project bit by bit when time allows. thanks again

[dannyi]

[crazyjim]

This thing just keeps getting better and better, Dan.

[Joe Chernauskas]

I'm SO glad I stumbled upon this build up! You sir are a master craftsman! I'm only on page 1 but I had to comment before I saw anymore and was left completely speechless lol Where do you find the bare foam board you make your walls out of? The only foam board I find is coated on each side with paper.

[misternemo]

this is-bar none-the absolute best and most realistic dio i have ever seen!! thank you for posting it.

[dannyi]

..thank you Joe, Jim and Ryan...

..Joe, the only foam board I know of is the kind with the paper backing which has to be removed to scribe the foam. You could use rigid insulation foam board, the kind found at big box hardware stores but the thinnest I could find around here was 1 inch thick and only comes in 4x8 sheets. As for the hobby foam board, the paper backing has to be removed on the side that your going to scribe the brick on. Some brands the backing can be peeled right off with ease. But the brand I got (Elmers) has to be dampened with water to loosen the glue. First I cut the desired size I need then put it in a pan of water for about 15 minutes. The paper backing comes off with no problems. Let it dry thoroughly then scribe away....

[Tony T]

Danny...Glad to see this coming back together and moving forward...the service panel is awesome!

I gotta ask about the lights...I bought a pair of shades from you for my dio and would love to light them. Is the info on the functioning lights back in an earlier part of the thread? If so, I'll go looking. If not, do tell!!

I love the diorama. Like you, I don't really think mine will ever really be "done"!

[dannyi]

Thanks Tony! ...the bulbs I used are "grain of rice" from Model Power #252, the conduit is made from 1/16 aluminum tubing. I could of used larger diameter tubing to make wiring easier but the thinner tubing looked more to scale. First I drilled a hole in the top of the lamp shade to fit the tube. The problem with the 1/16 tubing was that both wires would not fit through it, so I removed the insulation from one of the wires(the one I was using for ground/common) and then wrapped it around the other wire in a loose spiral. Once thought the top of the tube I separated them and soldered them to their prospective "bus" wires running along the top edge on the back side of the ceiling joists. From the side of the dio they went to an HO train transformer.

[Tony T]

Thanks for the info Danny!

[Dominik]

Go Danny! I love to see your progress after the "unlucky" day. Go for it - outstanding work. i cant get enough of it!

[ontwerpplus]

WOW, just wow! You got me inspired to try making something like this, or something completely different.. Not sure yet, but.. must make something as awesome as this!!

[vaughn]

Looks great ! Just wondering....what size brick are you using for scale ? Standard brick measurements are 2 and 1/4" thick and 8" long. But there are different sizes in different countries. And different size bricks. What does yours measure out to. (scale wise) When I measure mine to scale, they seem to be much smaller than yours. Especially when I put them next to my scaled rock. Just wondering. Looks good...dont get me wrong. Soon................

[dannyi]

...thanks Dominik...I'm hoping to have a "lucky" day next time I take it somewhere..lol

...thanks Michel...glad to have inspired you..be sure to post picks of your new project what ever it may be....

...Vaughn...the bricks average out to about 8x3 in 1/25 scale....I did some test runs on scrap foam pieces of various sizes and I just liked they way these looked.

[andy1966]

This is brilliant! All the attention to detail must have taken you ages! & thanks for sharing the "how to"s". AMAZING work! VERY well done.

[southpier]

i'll bet there's an update coming soon

[andy1966]

i'll bet there's an update coming soon

Hopefully! Cant wait!

[Gluhead]

*thud*

Holy carp! Can't believe I missed this one...outstanding work. You've added a significant amount to the ol' ideas list for the build I'm starting to work up to.

Very impressed.

[dannyi]

Thanks fellas, sorry about the late response. I get so easily side tracked anymore, it's a pain getting old! Got some new items to add and hopefully soon.

[crazyrichard]

this is one of the most amazing dio builds to watch
you really inspired me to begin building a dio myself and so i did a couple of moths back and i also have a topic about mine here..
thnx for the inspiration