Okay, I know I was supposed to update last weekend, but I didn't actually get very much accomplished, and besides, it was just another tower. However, throughout the week, I've done some updates.
I went to Home Depot and bought a 48"x48" quarter inch ply, which I had them trim to 36x48 so it would get into my car. As it so happens, the measurements from the farthest points of the Harken/Iron Keep is 36x54.
I had a jigsaw, and after drawing the outer boundaries of the Keep, I used that saw and cut the shape out. I am six inches short on one side, but that actually isn't very much. When I get to that side of the castle, I'll cut out the extra pieces.
I ran out of that "Hold the Foam" glue like a day later, so when I was next out, I stopped by Michael's and bought a small spray can of
Elmers Craft Bond Spray Adhesive. This glue actually works very well, but has a very wide spraying angle, so it's necessary to spray over cardboard (or something else to protect your floor/desk/valuables). Unfortunately, it is slightly fume-y, and even though it says on the can that it works for "foam", you have to be careful to not spray too much, or it'll make the foam soft and very slightly melty/squishy.
I felt the Hold the Foam stuff was much too goopy, and didn't have a very good applicator. So, I also bought a different type of liquid glue:
FloraCraft StyroGlue. I've use it a bit. On the plus side, it
is thinner than that goopy glue from before. However, from casual inspection, it only appears to be slightly thicker than Elmers School Glue, and about as effective, i.e.
not at all. I glued two pieces of styro together, held it for approx 5 minutes, and tried to move onto another piece. As soon as I set it down, the two pieces fell apart, like there was no cohesion. I got tired of holding it, so I actually stuffed the sucker in between my books on the bookshelf, hoping the tension will creat a strong bond.
As for the actual castle, I've most of the lower stricture in assembled. The only bits I'm missing are the Great Tower and the Wizards Tower, plus a wall or two.
I also haven't done the inner buildings, but I'm really not sure what the best method is. I'm thinking foamcore is my safest bet, but I actually dislike working with the stuff.