Project: Harken Keep to scale.
- Thread starter the-golem
- Start date
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.
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.
Finally had a chance to take a photo and upload it. Dang thing was so large, I had to stand on a chair just to get it all in properly.
You'll find the image attached to this post
Edit (In response to the XP left by CMG): Went to Michael's today for a quick stop, and noticed they had the 3M Spray Adhesive for Styrofoam in stock. I bought it since I was out of my other spray, and the FloraCraft Styroglue sucks bawls.
I'm happy to announce that this project works quite awesomely. The bottle has a nozzle that you can adjust directions on. If the slit (on the nozzle) is vertical, then you get a wide spray. If it's horizontal, you get a very narrow, but tall spray. There also seems to be a pressure adjustment on the bottle, by turning the nozzle clockwise or counterclockwise. I haven't tested this.
At first I only waited a few seconds before trying to stick stuff together. This doesn't work. When gluing two pieces of styro, you spray both sides, and then wait 2-5 minutes so that the glue gets tacky. Stick the stuff together, and its almost instabond. I'd suggest holding it firmly for 30-60 seconds for proper adhesion.
One downside is that the glue is really fumey. It's very important to do this in a properly vented area (outside), and you might want to wear a filter mask just in case.
Another downside is that the glue dries a very light yellow, not clear. And I mean very light. It's kind of an eggshell cream color, really, so it's not that bad.
Overall, out of the two spray adhesives, I'd recommend the 3M over the Elmer's CraftBond.
You'll find the image attached to this post
Edit (In response to the XP left by CMG): Went to Michael's today for a quick stop, and noticed they had the 3M Spray Adhesive for Styrofoam in stock. I bought it since I was out of my other spray, and the FloraCraft Styroglue sucks bawls.
I'm happy to announce that this project works quite awesomely. The bottle has a nozzle that you can adjust directions on. If the slit (on the nozzle) is vertical, then you get a wide spray. If it's horizontal, you get a very narrow, but tall spray. There also seems to be a pressure adjustment on the bottle, by turning the nozzle clockwise or counterclockwise. I haven't tested this.
At first I only waited a few seconds before trying to stick stuff together. This doesn't work. When gluing two pieces of styro, you spray both sides, and then wait 2-5 minutes so that the glue gets tacky. Stick the stuff together, and its almost instabond. I'd suggest holding it firmly for 30-60 seconds for proper adhesion.
One downside is that the glue is really fumey. It's very important to do this in a properly vented area (outside), and you might want to wear a filter mask just in case.
Another downside is that the glue dries a very light yellow, not clear. And I mean very light. It's kind of an eggshell cream color, really, so it's not that bad.
Overall, out of the two spray adhesives, I'd recommend the 3M over the Elmer's CraftBond.
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