Hi guys
First of all anybody who has HBO they are replaying Band of Brothers(check your local listing for times). Second,does any one have a way to make alot of sandbags?

Firstly, thanks for the heads-up on BoB on HBO...Eeeeek, I forgot it again...

Secondly, a lot of Milliput. It works great for modeling those sandbags. As far as methods, cut off a little bit, roll into little balls, (just like you used to do with clay) and flatten into the shape of a sandbag. With a toothpick tip or something similar, scrape or carve a little seam along the sides of each bag. On exposed surfaces try to press a piece of cloth into the still wet putty to leave an impression of fabric on the bag. Just be sure to know or have an idea where you are going to place them so you could "drape" them into place.

Blackwolf,
Using two part epoxy putty roll out enough to cover what you are going to need. Slice into individual sandbags and roll a pieces of cheese cloth over it for the texture or even an old T-shirt. Add seams along the sides with a #11 blade. I have made tons of these things and then made RTV molds of them so I can cast them easier at a later date. HTH "Q"

Check the old posts for more details, we discussed this earlier.

The one I like is two part epoxy putty. Mix it roll it out into a long strip then cut to size. Use talcum powder to keep things from sticking. Kinda like making bread. (This is another members technique but I like it.)

I like to texture the sides with a cloth t-shirt and make seems with an hobby knife.
(This is my contributions.) I also make sandbags whenever I have putty left over from another project.

I make my sand bags three ways. The first two I learned from reading Shepard Paine's book. The first way I make sandbags is the same as Kencelot described using Milliput. I use this method if I only need a few of them, and I texture it wih a hankerchief. The next way is with keelex or tissue paper. I cut a 1 inch by 1 inch square and fill it with sand, then tie it with thread and cut to size. I then dip it in watered down white glue and let it harden in place. If I need a lot of sand bags, I will make a three sand bags using Milliput, each one fitting a little different on the model. I will then make resin casts of the bags. This is the fastest and easiest way to make a lot of them quick. I buy my mold solution and resin casting from Micro Mark. :-)

I was digging through the earlier post and came across this. I know this is kinda late to post this reply but I've come across this project before. I use the same method as Lt. General Kencelot with putty for individual bags for specific areas. But I found that if you want to mass produce them for lets say for bunkers and MG nest I use one of my already made sandbags and put some silicone rubber sealent on a sheet of waxed paper. Then I take the sandbag and mash it gently into the sealent and let it dry out in the sun or under a lamp for 2 days or until dry and I normally make 5 or 6 of these. Once the rubber sealent has dried take out the orginal piece and add plaster or epoxy putty. I use plaster more offent because it drys quickly and holds paint very well. I also use this method to duplicate other parts that come with kits or things I make. I hope that helps

I find epoxy outty quite expensive. So instead of it, I use selfhardening clay. It cost me approx
5€ (1€ = 1$) a kilo. You should be able to find it easily in art or craft stores.

Try automotive putty, that onea used for car repairs. Just don't use too much hardener since it will get too dry too fast.

If your going to try sandbags (my one and only attempt to date was a disaster), I would definately recommend Bob Collignon's recent Sherman article (2 parter) in Fine Scale Modeler. I just saw his Sherman at the IPMS Nats and it was the ONLY tank there that had realistic looking sandbags. Not that the others were that bad, they just had a ways to go before looking realistic.

Image of Bob's Sandbags

Cheers,
Jim

On my last M4 I made sandbags from self hardening modelling clay. It doesn't need to be baked in the oven, just dries by itself. It comes in a flat package about 1/2" th.x6"wx6"l. I layed it on wax paper and cut strips with a hobby knife, then cut the strips into small blocks and shaped them and pressed with a t-shirt to texture. They shrink a little when drying, so I suggest laying a layer, then let dry, then do another layer and let dry etc. HTH

Bob did a great job on them The tank was featured in Finescale Modeler Back in March?
I saw it in person @ Buffcon back in April.


Matt

REPEAT from a previous message string:
---------------------------------------------------------------
okay - step by step here....

A) First, use ACTIVA "Air Dry" Clay... not miliput... Activa can be found in most chain store hobby and craft stores. As the name indicates, it is self-harding, and needs no baking.

B) roll out about a six inch "log" by taking a ball of clay and rolling it back and forth between your hands.

C) lay the "log" on a hard surface, and gently press it down from it's rounder shape to a flatter "long pillow" shape.

D) for 1:35 scale (really, is there any other?), cut sections of the pillow about every 3/8 to 1/2 inch.

E) Lay the bags in place... over armor, walls, ground fortifications, etc. Build an interlocking wall as high as needed.

F) Take medical gause and wet it under the faucet. Wring out the excess water so you have a damp cloth. Press this into the clay and be sure to overlap several time to get a really nice looking grain.

G) Once this is done, take a dull xacto blade, and cut a few "seams" into the sides of the bags, and add a few "tears" as well...

H) Allow this to dry overnight and it will be hard as a rock the next day. You may now sand and file as desired, and then paint and weather as usual. Add in some earthen color pastel chalks to give a nice flat dirty / dustry patina. Be sure to put some loose dirt in and arount the bags to account for overflow, spills, and tears.

There is a DIGITAL DIAMOND on this very subject coming out soon, complete with illustrations. Look for it in the FEATURES/SECTIONS area.