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Dioramas: Making Bases
Discuss all aspects of making bases.
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Issue with base material
MikeM670
#020
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Illinois, United States
Joined: December 28, 2006
KitMaker: 278 posts
Armorama: 231 posts
Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 - 12:05 PM UTC
I completed a base for a marauder tank I am working on and encountered an issue with the celluclay shrinking away from the plastic rim I use to make a clean edge. Does celluclay shrink all the time? Did I do something wrong in preparing it. I really like the texture of celluclay for use in bases. The only thing I added to the celluclay was some water and some acrylic paint to color the ground material.
Am I better of using straight plaster or should I mix some plaster in with the celluclay to stop or reduce this shrinkage?

Here is a image of the completed base.



Here is a closeup showing the shrinkage. Sorry for the blurred image.



AJLaFleche
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
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Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 - 01:32 PM UTC
In addition to the acrylic paint like you, I add railraod ballast and a big glop of white glue (e.g. Elmer's). Also, I always use wooden bases with holes drilled into them and have no significant shrinkage.

Remember, as the Celluclay cures, water is evaporating from the mixtture and that does reduce some volume. I only add enough moisture in the way of glue, paint and water to get a slurry like very thick oatmeal.

As a corrective, I'd suggest making up some more Celluclay and filling the gap.
CReading
#001
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California, United States
Joined: February 09, 2002
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Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 - 05:09 PM UTC
I mix the Cel-U-clay with dry wall paste for the liquid additive instead of water. It has water in it but is also a material that drys hard but can be sanded or carved if necessary. Never had a problem with shrinkage. Mix to a very thick oatmeal consistency. I also drill holes in the base so it has something to grab.
C.
MikeM670
#020
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Illinois, United States
Joined: December 28, 2006
KitMaker: 278 posts
Armorama: 231 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 03:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text

In addition to the acrylic paint like you, I add railraod ballast and a big glop of white glue (e.g. Elmer's). Also, I always use wooden bases with holes drilled into them and have no significant shrinkage.

Remember, as the Celluclay cures, water is evaporating from the mixtture and that does reduce some volume. I only add enough moisture in the way of glue, paint and water to get a slurry like very thick oatmeal.

As a corrective, I'd suggest making up some more Celluclay and filling the gap.


I did not think I used very much water. I'll try reducing the amount of liquid I use. Also I like the idea of drilling some holes in the base for additional grip to the base.
MikeM670
#020
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Illinois, United States
Joined: December 28, 2006
KitMaker: 278 posts
Armorama: 231 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 03:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I mix the Cel-U-clay with dry wall paste for the liquid additive instead of water. It has water in it but is also a material that drys hard but can be sanded or carved if necessary. Never had a problem with shrinkage. Mix to a very thick oatmeal consistency. I also drill holes in the base so it has something to grab.
C.


Dry wall paste...I have tons laying around here. I'll add some of that to the base material and see how that goes. Al also gave me the hint of drilling some holes in the base for additional holding power.

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