I just read fine scale modelers article on a compact diorama and they showed a neat little prefab base...where else can one find a premade base like that? I haven't done a diorama since too long ago and am looking for an easy start...can anyone point me in the needed directions and/or tell me the good and bad items to go with or without? Thanks-

For premade bases, if you mean precut wooden ones, they can be found at any craft store or Wal-Mart for a few bucks. If you mean a ready made dio base that you just add the vehicle and figures to, try Verlinden or Monroe Purdue Studios.

do you happen to have Monroe Designs website address handy? I did a quick search and did not see it.



Herky

Here are a few reviews on this site , along with their website link.

Hi Bob,
Below is a photo of a base i made myself for my first project since joining the Big A.I made a simple wooden base from MDF,glued it to a off cut from an old shelf and added a border to give it a framed look.Photo is not too detailed,sorry.



All and all it cost me less than 15€ to make.I already had a drawing of what i wanted in the dio and made the base to fit my idea.Might be an option to find some old off cuts and give them a coat of paint,and get the satisfaction from making your own!!Good luck,Shay

Thanks all, and I was inquiring about both I guess...wooden and actual diorama on top piece. I never thought of a decorative wooden base for the dio piece...but it sounds good. This is why I hang around here...for the excellent ideas.

old-dragon -

From picture frames (turned upside down), pre-cut plywood or foam board, decoupage plaques at craft stores, to pieces cut from base of a Christmas tree, there are many types of pre-sized bases to try. You can then add the pre-fab diorama pieces from Verlinden, Custom Dynamics, Model companies, the railroad supplies, or even from fantasy gaming. If you really want the 'total" work, try "eBay" under a search like Models or Dioramas "built" as there are several regulars that do just diorama bases for "sale'.

Blade48mrd

Blade48mrd, thanks, shoulda known that might be on ebay too, lord knows i've found quite afew cheap models there already...thanks for the tip.

Heavyarty, thanks for the site plug...I checked out Mpstudios..nice but I was looking for alittle bit bigger{2-3 piece armour accomidation}...that yellow messersplit is just plane/plain wrong!. :-)

I use wooden slats that are designed for streching canvas cloth for painting. They are availalbe in a variety of lengths, are pre-grooved at the mitered corners to fit together smoothly, and they are VERY inexpensive... I find my supply at HobbyLobby. I keep a large selection on hand in 6-8-10-12-14-16-20-24 inch lengths, so i can make diorama bases of almost any size... you can even create non-square shapes if desired....

I like to do it myself, especially if its just a simpel base to display a tank.

It takes some time, but isn´t that difficult, and is a lot cheaper than buying something.

This a base i made last week - mostly using surplus material from homerepair. the base is a piece of MDF.



A bit of creativity, a trip in the nature (nothing beats mother nature) and a visit by somebody you know doing repairwork and you are ready to go.

Making your own is the best but if you need to buy try this place:

http://www.woodenbases.co.uk/

Hi Mate

Try looking up this link
http://www.greatnorthroads.co.uk/pages/index.shtml

There are bases and buildings in the range at reasonable prices.

Dus