Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

I thought I'd make a positive contribution to RCU and post a tutorial on making cheap 1/16 buildings to fight around. I have less than 2 months experience in RC, but I have more than 15 years in Historical Wargaming and have built my share of 1/72 scale buildings over the years. So here it goes.


Part 1: Foundation

What you will need (for Part 1):

-1/2 " High density foam insulation
-Sharp Blade
-Rulers or a Straight Edge
-Masking tape
-Thick Card Stock
-Pen or marker

I made some 1/16 scale templates out of the thick card stock. Each floor is 6" or 8' to scale. Whit the 3 templates that I made, I should be able to make some one story Russian style farm houses and Stalingrad style apartment blocks.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-1.jpg

With the templates made, I traces them out onto the 1/2" HD foam insulation.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-2.jpg

Using an hobby knife, I cut out the shapes. Don't worry if the cuts are not clean, its a war zone so we will be cutting battle scars into it.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-3.jpg

With the basic shapes cut out, I taped them together to get an idea of what the buildings will look like. I included a few triangle shapes for the apartment block to help stablize it.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-4.jpg


Ok, stay tuned for part 2....

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

neat and very helpfull...thanks

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

nice job fireman tim thanks for showing cant wait for part 2/3;););)

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

They look great and easy too!. My son saw them, now he wants to build some to put around the back yard.

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

yeah great job my friend;) looking forward to part 2

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Part 2: Assembly


I decided to take a break from building 1/16 scale and focus on some 1/24 middle eastern sytle buildings for my VsTanks, but the assembly method is identical.


Foam boad adhesive works the best for sticking this stuff together. Be sure to wear some gloves as it is very sticky and will only clean up with mineral sprints so do this in your garage and not your livingroom.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/build-10.jpg


Here are a couple of buildings I made so far. You could proably make 4 out of a 2'x8' sheet of foam insulation
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-6.jpg


Left over scraps can be assembled into ruins.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-7.jpg


Once assembled, give them a few hours to dry, then you can sand the edges down using a sanding block. Again, do this outside or in the garage.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-8.jpg


Now they will be ready for some detailing, painting, doors and windows. I'll also have to add some weight so they don't blow away.:D
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ks/build-9.jpg


Part 3 Detailing.... coming soon

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Cool idea Tim thanks for the idea and the how to do it. I showed this idea to my friend Jack who lives close to me here out in no where land and he said he and I should build a layout on his property this spring when the ground dries up a sort of permanent battle ground. He only has about 200-300 acres should be large enough eh?. I have some pdf files on period buildings in 1/16th scale so should be good for dimensions of the buildings

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

What is the name of the foam you are using and where did you get it. I've looked in several of the home stores here in southern california and nobody even knows what I am talking about

San Diego Steve

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Very informative, great job.

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Howdy Fireman Tim,

Did you use a "home made" pattern or get them from a commericial source?

Ive been trying to locate a source for patterns that I can use or scale up for 1/16 scale buildings.

Regards,

bullyhys

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

SD Steve,

Here you go.

http://www.owenscorning.com/around/i...opinkrigid.asp

The product name is "Foamular" by Owens Corning, and Home Depot should carry it.

This might be slightly different, but it is suppose to have a tougher exterior skin.

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

You can make a template if you wish. I figured most door ways are probably 7 feet tall, ceilings are around 8 feet. So at 1/24 scale an 8' ceiling is 4", and the door is 3 1/2" x 1 1/2". Walls were 6" high which will extend 1 1/2" (or 3' scale) above the roof.

You could cut out windows if you wish, I am going to make some simple shutters for the solid buildings and cut out windows for the ruins.

I'll try and post part 3 on Monday or Tuesday.

Tim

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

You can probably find some cheap HO or N Scale buildings to use for models at a Model Railroad Shop....
Great job, TIm!!! Where were you when I still had my Garden Railroad? ;)

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Merle,

Here are some simple structure you could print out and use as templates.

http://host507.ipowerweb.com/~rctank...d%20houses.htm

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Thanks Kevin,

I just happen to have a stack of 1/4" blue foam with nothing to use it for..

I'll see if I can cobble something together.

Merle

RE: Quick and Easy Building Tutorial
 

Tim How's the buildings comming along any further pics?