Why Every Workshop needs Foamcore

Adam Savage shares some of his philosophy for building in foamcore. Adam builds a box to hold and organize his medical tool collection. Interesting set of tools.

More Creepy Hero Studios greeblie. You can never have too many greeblies.

Hunting for Materials for your Next Project?

If you keep am open mind you can find useful materials just about everywhere. Although I am trying to keep the clutter from getting out of hand I hold on to a lot of different materials. I may not know how or when they might be used, but as long as I don't have too many and have some where to store them I will put the materials aside.

Everyday Household Items You Can Turn Into Miniature Magic

Scratchbuilding Industrial Greebles

Greeblies can be created from any type of material. In this clip the author used bits of styrofoam to create several industrial greeblies.

New Greeblies for Future Projects

I prefer to manufacture my own greeblies when I can, but special shapes can become hard and time consuming to create. The prices at CreepyHero Studios are economical and their offerings are full of detail, crisp and clean.

Thingamajig

This thingamajig was created to fill a pole building that is being built to go along side of the Wills Sheds. The open shed will need to be filled with materials, projects that have been completed and those in process. It might take a few objects and materials to fill this shed so I have taken it upon my self to build what I can. This object was primarily built from foam-core and with paper strips and few other materials was built to be set in a corner.

The Most Expensive Woods in the World

Wills 4mm/ OO Scale Doors and Windows

Wills SS86 Scale Doors and Windows

Wills SS42 Doors and Windows

THese 1.76 OO, 4mm scale doors and windows work well with my HO, 1/87 scale structures. With my scratch building continuing I need all the doors and windows I can get my hands on. These Wills kits offer some nice alternatives.

The Most Intriate Miniatures Made by Human Hands

This 1.14 hour video features makers from around the globe making miniature furniture to vehicles. We humans have been creating things in miniature since the dawn of civilization. This video is inspirational and interesting.

Save those Sprue Bits

It is not everyday that I find bits on a plastic sprue that are perfect for greeble. I don't have a clue as to how I may use these small cyliders of plastic, but if a need arrises I now have them in inventory.

Organization through Micronization

I dumped my scale panels that I had formerly had in a perscription bottle to a bank envelope. This will take up less space. I have been using these envelopes for my bits of usually paper leftovers. There are also great when collecting bits for the next project. I am currently building another structure for the "village" and these panels are being added to a large storm drain pipe (a flimsy cardboard tissue core) to add to its overall structure and to add detail.

A Fantasy Cottage for Warhammer "The Old World" Scratch Build

Seeing is believing. This project is amazing.

Another Addition to the Village

A Stuko Structure with a Rubber Roof

The structure is built around a cardstock core where the second ply received the stuko treatment. The stuco was created using 1 part baking soda, 1 part white paint, and 1 part white glue. I beveive that I used too much baking soda, so perhaps I shouod have used on 1/2 part baking soda.

The roof is in a Barrel-vaulted configuration. And was built from a piece of Bristol Board, strips of masking tape and then painted with a "soft-black" paint. I then dry brushed it with another softer black and applied some chalk.

The roof vent started its life as a part from a lighter.

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More from this Series

• Another One for the Village - The Build
• Two for the Village

Building in Stucco While in Scale

Achieving Realistic Stucco in Scale Models

AI Overview

"Creating realistic stucco in miniature or scale models involves simulating the texture and appearance of the real material within the constraints of the chosen scale. Here's how to approach it: Techniques and materials.

Textured Paint and Grit:

One effective technique is to mix fine-grain materials like aluminum oxide blasting grit (available from sources like Paasche) into flat acrylic paint, diluted with a suitable thinner. Apply this mixture to a primed surface (priming improves adhesion and finish) with an old brush or dab it on to create a stucco effect.

Start with a light application, adding thinner if needed to improve flow, according to WordPress.com. Once dry, you can sand the surface to refine the texture or make adjustments as needed.

Cosmetic Sponges and Thick Paint:

Another approach involves using a cosmetic sponge to dab thick paint onto the model surface. Artist's oil paints may be particularly suitable for this technique as they tend to be thicker and may not level out completely, allowing for a stucco-like texture.

Sandpaper as a "Building Paper":

For a traditional approach, consider using sandpaper of the appropriate grit size as a building material itself. Once painted, the sandpaper's texture can convincingly represent stucco, according to the Trains.com Forums.

Specialty Products:

Products specifically designed for model stucco, like "Scale Stuckco" from Crescent Creek Models, are also available and provide an easy-to-use solution for creating a textured finish.

Tips for realism

Scale Considerations: When selecting materials like sand or grit, remember that even fine grains can appear coarse in smaller scales like N scale. For very small scales, techniques like stippling the paint may be more appropriate.

Layering and Washes: For added depth and realism, consider applying washes after the stucco finish dries. Jenn's Mini Worlds notes using diluted washes to create a weathered or aged appearance on both stonework and stucco.

Prime Surfaces: Always apply stucco texture to a primed surface for better adhesion and a smoother, more durable finish.

Experimentation:

Different techniques and materials yield different results, so experiment on scrap material to discover the effects that best suit your needs.

By carefully selecting your materials and techniques, you can successfully recreate the distinct look of stucco on your scale models and bring a new level of detail to your miniature creations."

Another One for the Village - The Build

I have just about completed another shack for the village. This time I wanted to try something I haven't done before and decided to build a stucco structure with a rubber roof. I two pieces of trim to adhere to the structure and I am looking forward to giving the structure a stucco like treatment. Here are a two resources I referred to before getting started:

Top 10 Rubber Roofing Facts

What is Stucco

Two for the Village

AI created images of "Shacks and Sheds"

The AI generated images of these building were the main inspiration for this project. I am building a village in 1/87 scale one structure at a time.

I used some scrap foam-core bits for the sub-walls and embossed stone paper for the exterior walls. I am looking for more of this material.

I built this structure as an one had been abandoned. I will be adding some foliage, weeds, a tree, and creepers to its exterior.

This shed was built from cardstock, with cardstock sub-walls and individual cardstock boards.

There are two more of these structures on my bench right now. I am experimenting other styles of structures.

The OLD MILL - Building my first MDF kit

Although it may be the authors first MDF kit, the Old Mill, it is not his first time at modeling. He uses a time-lapsed scenes when building the model. The authors brings years of experience and tons of advice on how to make this model even better. It was a delightful to watch.

Special Guests at Adam Savage's Cave

Recently Evan and Katelyn visted Adam Savage's cave with information about some new discoveries while working with resin. Facinating stuff and inspirational.

Can Anything Come Out of This?

Can anything come out of this? I save my bits from my projects. I store them inside an envelope or in banking envelopes. Rarley do I go back to see what is in these envelopes. And I rarely bother to take inventory of these bits before starting a new projects. Although I might look for a bit of embossed paper or stone sheet or a scrap of conregated material from time-to-time.

This collection is mainly made up of pieces of cardstock, a couple pieces of matboard and everything in between. Who knows what may come of this mess?

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Updated on 6.14.25 @ 11.34 A.M. Corrected grammar.

Locomotive Detail Parts

Although these were purchased for detailing HO scale locomotives they have been being used for a verity of kit bashing projects. I don't remember the supplier, but I do remember going all in on wanting to detail my EMD F-units, which before I decided to switch to HOn30 were the first generation diesel engines I had purchased for my layout.