Boulder Creek
  • Home
  • Tutorials
    • Professional Tools >
      • Laser Cutting
      • 3D Printing
      • Static Grass Applicator
      • Paint Shaker
      • Scan N Cut
    • Video Tutorials
    • Articles
    • Modular Layout
  • Goodies
    • Competition Entry & Results
    • Blog
    • YouTube Top 10
    • Product and Reviews
    • Downloads
    • Gallery
    • Fan Artwork
    • Spot Me Challenge
    • MRH
  • Patrons
    • Become a Patron
    • Members Only
  • Store
  • Contact

Working on the Mine

14/1/2018

3 Comments

 
I've recently started working on the next video, basically it is going to be an old gold mine diorama. I know what you're thinking... That's pretty boring because all we'll see is a hole in the side of a mountain...
However! It's going to be built as a cross section diorama so you'll be able to see all the tunnels and interior of the mine as if the earth has been sliced away revealing the internal structure.
Picture
As you can see from the image above, I've been doing a few test on creating the dirt/rock structure inside the mine shaft. I've decided to line the interior walls with rock castings using some of the Woodland Scenics rock molds and then blend the joins with some plaster of paris or a similar product.
As for actually cutting the mines internal structure I'll be using a special foam cutting router from 'The Hot Wire Foam Factory'.
So far in my tests I've been more than impressed with the capabilities of this tool and it will be making regular appearances in many future videos.
Previously to gut channels in foam I'd either cut individual pieces of foam and gradually piece them together to make the channel or I'd get a chunk of foam and hack away at it with a sharp hobby knife... It was a very messy process!
However with the routing foam cutter it's much faster and much less messy which is perfect for when I'm building models in the lounge room! 
Picture
The foam I'm using is foam insulation board (Extruded Polystyrene) most commonly used for as the name suggests 'insulation' but it makes for great diorama bases and I've used it as the main base for my model railway layout. It's very versatile and strong yet lightweight which is perfect for portable train layouts.
As for lighting I'll be adding small LED lights along the malls to illuminate the inside of the mine, I'm not sure what LED's I'll be using just yet? I may use the Woodland Scenics Just Plug lights or depending on price I might just order some micro LED's and wire them up myself... I do plan on using quite a lot of LED's so I'll more than likely wire them myself and power them with a portable battery mounted in the back of the model.
Filming has commenced and I'm just waiting on some extra rock molds to arrive and a few small HO scale mining figures that will be working in the mine once it's finished.
Stay tuned :)
3 Comments
Ted link
15/1/2018 03:29:43

Hi Luke, found your site via the tall trees video. Had to chuckle because I've just begun a 9 foot diorama which will end up with an old, small, gold mine (not the interior). What you're doing sounds interesting. There was something similar, many years ago, published in Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. Looking forward to seeing yours.

Reply
Val borchardt
18/1/2018 14:30:19

Looking forward to seeing your bext tutorial Luke.

Reply
Duane Oliver
2/3/2018 16:37:47

Mr.Towan , you sir are a very gifted modeling artist. I am so glad I found you on You Tube by accident. I have ordered all the tools from The Hot Wire Foam Factory Co. ,and all the other supplies from Woodland Scenics.My intention is to use the Mine scene on the backside of a Mountain on my new 5’ / 9’ Ho layout.Iam thinking l will install a mine train of some sort in side the base of the Mountain to creat some interesting inter action with the mine operations . Thanks for a wounderfull Idea ! I all so signed up to be a modest patron . Cheers from the USA .

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    3D Printing
    Laser Cutting
    Making Trees
    Night Scenes
    Realistic Scenery Updates
    Structures
    Useful Tools
    Working With Water

    Archives

    December 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    RSS Feed

Boulder Creek Railroad is a fan funded website and YouTube channel, all your support is greatly appreciated
  • Home
  • Tutorials
    • Professional Tools >
      • Laser Cutting
      • 3D Printing
      • Static Grass Applicator
      • Paint Shaker
      • Scan N Cut
    • Video Tutorials
    • Articles
    • Modular Layout
  • Goodies
    • Competition Entry & Results
    • Blog
    • YouTube Top 10
    • Product and Reviews
    • Downloads
    • Gallery
    • Fan Artwork
    • Spot Me Challenge
    • MRH
  • Patrons
    • Become a Patron
    • Members Only
  • Store
  • Contact