I am about to start the base for my Carentan dio, it will entail a large street section, the base is 16'' x 27 15/16" the size will fit in a bookself. I have made several bases before, but none with street sections if it were smaller I would just buy something, but because I have already sunk a lot of money in figures and buildings I would like to save some money and consider all posibilities so what would be the cheapest and most effective way of creating a coblestone street.

Although i have not tried it, i have seen pictures of dios where there lay down plaster and carv it in. In fact, i believe i had seen it on this site.

I have done several dioramas carving plaster as buildings and streets.
First you need a block of plaster as your diorama base. Then make your plan and draw on the plaster where you will replace the sidewalks,building or foliage.This is important because you will not carve this areas as the street.After you decide which part of the plaster will be the street, draw the cobblestone texture on the plaster using a pencil. To do this; you can divide the street section into small rectangles using a ruler. Then carve the lines of rectangles with a small screwdriver. Shape the rectangles as cobblestones breaking some edges and giving them an oval-rectangular shape. I give it an old look rubbing the surface slightly with scotch brite. Sidewalks, buildings,brick wall can be done in the same way.
here is the one I did before... ( sorry if I couldnt explain well,please PM me if you have any questions)



Please also see Anders post on
Stalingrad vignette

Im agree with Petro
i just done coblestone this ,orning, i just carved when the plaster almost dry, it looks impressive, but the problem now, what colour should to be choose for the cobblestone ? :-)

Hi nato308, some good advice given. In addition a very simple method which render's great results is just spread a nice layer of drywall compound on your base ( I use rigid insulation fort my bases ). After the compound has dried a bit start scribing in your cobblestones with a dental pick, , ice pick ..... any tool with a solid pointed tip. You can also wait until the compound is fully dried and use a dremel rotary tool & attachment's to do the scribing. Just make sure you wear an OSHA dust mask that is made for this type of dust.
After you are finished, go back and perform any necessary sanding.

Your best bet is to try to use a photo of the cobblestone street's in Carenten as a guide. I also have future plans for a Carenten diorama.

There was an article on a similar method in FSM a while back. I'm not sure of the issue off
hand but I will check when I go down to my workbench later and edit this message with the issue 's date.

- ralph

I would take the same path as mentioned above. Cast the whole base with a thin layer of hobby spackel. When dry, mark out where your houses and footpaths will go. Then build small molds for footpaths and house bases with balsa wood for example (all one height). For rounded corners use cardboard. Dont be afraid to glue the balsa frames and supports to the already cast base. Then fill your new molds with hobby spackel again. Now when dry remove all moldings. Scrape away any glue or mold fixings. If you have a hole justfill it with the same stuff. Draw in all cobblestones, paving stones, curbs for footpaths and house base markings with pencil (use built house as templates). Go to town carving! Then fix your houses. Now, paint.
Sounds a lot of work but the best thing about this method is you will have no unsightly join marks and all your houses are fixed in perfect position. You dont have to worry about 100% perfect flatness either. Little bumps and unlevel areas add character.

hi nato

hope your dio goes well - i agree with the carving suggestion, i did that with my latest dio, which u can see in my gallery, pour your plaster, when its dry, mark out your cobblestones with a ruler and then get to carving - you might want to chip the odd one here and there to give the 'worn' kind of look, but i tried and i came out pretty well, a bit time consuming but its worth it for a good result!

alpha

If you are interested, I'd be glad to do one for you to your exact dimensions in 1/2 balsa foam. I am actually doing something similar for another client, measureing 18 x 18 inches. it includes 5 streets with curbs, drains, cobblestone, gutters, and slate stone sidewalks.The price for that unit is $80. 16 x 27-15/16 would be about the same, and would take two days. Shipping would be about 2 lbs, and the 6 sections required would ship for about $6.00.

This stuff is pretty darn amazing... if not interested in having me do it, that is understandable... just an offer, but if nothing else, you might like to consider using balsa foam yourself, hit my website and go to INVENTORY ->SUPPLIES-> BALSA FOAM to read more about this stuff and see samples.

This evening I will upload a photo showing the work I have done for my client using Balsa Foam.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, I figure I will pour the entire base with a 1/4" plaster and go "happy carving". When I get the chance I will post a layout plan and put it to the test. Again thank you. Will try to update you with photos of the project as it progresses.

I agree with everyone, go with the carving method, its the easiest, good luck, cheers