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The play ground

Started by Daniel, July 24, 2022, 03:39:48 AM

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Daniel

There are plenty of Birch types but I didn't know when i made my first ones. Nevertheless the method i will describe here is one i will certainly keep using but not the only.

Again, i prefer to let the images talk that making my wn blah-blah but is there are any questions, doubts, tips or critics i am very interested in listening and answering.

For the trunks i like to use Balsa wood.
Not the more expensive one that hobby shps carry but the much cheaper one used for packing expensive forniture or other expensive stuff.
For a beam 10cm X 22cm X 160cm i used to pay 16euro but now, with the dancing prices, it is 20euro. This type of Balsa is a little bit harder and with a visible very fine gray but can still worked with a knife and all other tools. The advantage in this case is one can make much thinner but still strong trunks that with the hobby balsa...

P2150141 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150142 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

I do the first sanding transversally (around the trunck) so to remove all the sharp angled lines left by the knife but then go ahead sanding longitudinally using a piece of extremelly rough abrasive from an industrial floor sanding machine which is the blue one beside the red piece of BOSCH P-40 grain in the photo. Actually i use both and sometimes some softer ones. Finally i give the trunk a very fast and light sanding with a thinner piece so to just get rid of some of the little standing wood hairs (shaving, thus.)
But in general, this stage goes super fast and i can make a dozen trunks in 15 minutes or so.

P2150143 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0397 (7) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150144 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150146 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150148 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Denending on thethickness of the trunck and the ground where it must be finally pinned, i use toothstick, bambu or metal tod for the pin.
In this case, as you see the pin helps to get the sewing thread fastened...

P2150151 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Then i spread PVA on the trunk...


P2150152 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

... and start coilling taking care of doing it as irregularly possible biut also avoiding too crazy exagerated diagonals and once that is ready i let it dry...

P2150157 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150158 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150160 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Now a days i would make a double coilling with same thread but then a second with a much thinner. One never ends learning!


Then i make a mix of white acrylic paint and PVA for the next layer...

P2150164 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150165 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150168 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150172 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Once the paint is really dry i start making plenty of tyni transversal incisions trying to do that in a 'careful chaotic'order: carefully horizontal, none longer than half the circkle of the trunk body and as chaotic as possible in the vertical alignement:


.                     _____
.                     _______
.                     _  _____
.                     __--  __
.                      ___ ___
.                     ___   __
.                       ______


... and so on.

You see in next image, the trunk may be sinuous but the horizontal incisions are pretty parallel despit the curves of the trunk...

P2150178 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150179 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150180 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150181 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150184 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150185 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150186 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150188 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150193 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150194 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150195 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

... and so on...

P2150198 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150199 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150200 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150202 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150271 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150273 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150276 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150277 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150278 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150279 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150282 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150283 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150285 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150286 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150287 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150289 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150292 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150293 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2150296 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

I tried punching leaves using yellow crepe paper. I wanted an autumn tree for a diorama i was building and this is what i've got:

P2160714 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Of course it was wrong. We'll see that tomorrow; but it was my first try and for a couple of days i kept feeling the partying ants in my chest when i loocked at it.

P2160719 (3) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2160721 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2160722 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2160724 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

... and here in the diorama where was supposed to stay...

P2160806 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2160807 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2160808 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

P2160812 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Daniel







Bernhard

Daniel, I am very impressed by your homemade tools. Simple but very effective. The little house is also a small work of art.

Bernhard

Stuart

Your birch tree method is quite clever and effective.

Stuart

finescalerr

One of the best handmade trees I've seen. -- Russ

Daniel

Quote from: Bernhard on July 30, 2022, 08:19:17 AMDaniel, I am very impressed by your homemade tools. Simple but very effective. The little house is also a small work of art.

Bernhard


Thank you Bernhard for you kind words.


Good to know you like the little house.
I like it too a lot because was one of those periods of change that suddenly unveil a new stage.
The diorama has plenty more to see so i will post soon a wider coverage.

Yes, the tools are as you say: simple but effective.
I don't know if other people realize the hours of joy such works mean... One starts walking around an onstacle, the world vanish, one has very little notion of what and where is hapening but suddenly the obstacle smiles at you and vanish and then you realise you are still in your workshop. I love that!
I am sure you know such moments very well too.


Daniel


Daniel

Quote from: Stuart on July 30, 2022, 09:42:24 AMYour birch tree method is quite clever and effective.

Stuart

Thank you Stuart.
You are very kind.

But wait until you see what came later and what is going to come in a week or so when the birch trees for the three dioramas reach completion.
The green late spring foliage is one of my best findings and a gift of Mother Nature.
Regarding the Autumn birch trees, the foliage is also solved and ready to be used but now i need to make two dozen of such trunks in total for my next diorama

Just to give you an idea: these are the Birch trees with the new foliage i make now:

P1190014 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

and this is the Autumn foliage ready and waiting:


IMG_0001 (523) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

It is already processed. 100% natural + glycerin and water and remains flexible as while in the pot...

IMG_0003 (485) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

.. it hangs as in a real 1/1 scale Birch...

IMG_0004 (461) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

But we'll se that tomorrow because i start my  days at 4 and is now 22.59 and my alter ego is already snoring!   :)

Daniel


Daniel

Quote from: finescalerr on July 30, 2022, 11:57:27 AMOne of the best handmade trees I've seen. -- Russ

Thank you Russ for those kind words.
The good news is you'll see better ones soon in this thread!   :D

Daniel

Oh, yes, here a little detail of the photo with the diorama with the yellow Birch. You can see it in the old photo but here with more detal:

P2030956 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr


Ray Dunakin

I like your ideas for affordable, homemade tools.
Visit my website to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!

Ray Dunakin's World

Ray Dunakin

Those tree trunks look so good I thought you had used small twigs from a real tree, until I saw the step-by-step construction!
Visit my website to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!

Ray Dunakin's World

Daniel


Quote from: Ray Dunakin on July 30, 2022, 11:13:14 PMI like your ideas for affordable, homemade tools.


Thank you, Ray.

That's the core of the matter in a very seriouys sense: affordable. Not only in termns of money but also in terms od materials and skills. 
It is hard to face one own's limitations but once one recognizes and accept them they become good companions and gives you a different view in the spectrum of posibilities at every step.
 


Quote from: Ray Dunakin on July 30, 2022, 11:18:54 PMThose tree trunks look so good I thought you had used small twigs from a real tree, until I saw the step-by-step construction!

Thank you!
From a modeller like you that feels as the best feedback one can get.

I will describe later how i make another type of Birch, Polard Willows, Weeping Willows, and Palm trees and other which names i don't know. An also some ways of making tall grass and Ivy.
It's not that I'm trying to show off or to sell something but i have learned that every time i share i learn many new things from others, specially from beginners who are masters in asking very simple things from unexpected and for me new points of view. Then I must run to the workbench to try what I've got. In my terms that is the best gold i can get.

Daniel



Daniel

IMG_0088 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0087 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0085 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0084 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0083 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0068 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0067 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

As you see, none of the trees is really in place but just pinned so to learn what is going on and what's next to do...

IMG_0065 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0047 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0046 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0045 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

... but you will notice later why every visit of the traveling trees is essential to me...

IMG_0041 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0037 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0034 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr


Daniel

IMG_0090 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0091 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0092 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0101 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0161 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0160 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0156 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0155 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0154 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0153 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0151 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0162 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0001 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0002 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0003 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0006 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0008 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0010 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0011 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0013 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0014 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0015 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Sorry for the dust and the stuff on the surface of the water, but travelling trees making such a mess when they come and again when they go. Still, what i learn from playing so would i not want to miss!

IMG_0016 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0017 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0018 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0019 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0020 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0022 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0024 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0026 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0027 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

.. still none glued in place...

IMG_0028 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0031 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0032 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0033 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Daniel

IMG_0034 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0035 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0037 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0038 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0039 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0040 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0043 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0045 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0047 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0049 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0050 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0051 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0053 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

I love the shadows as in next image...!

IMG_0055 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0057 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0058 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0059 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0061 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0060 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

From above one will barelly be able to see something. From standing around only a couple of spots so to see everything one needs to walk arround andensure one's eyes are at the hight of a standing 1/32 figure's ...

IMG_0063 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0068 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr 

Do you notice the changes of the atmosphere in this spot caused by the trees?

IMG_0069 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0027 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr


Daniel

This was a bit of playing to learn what would a fall scene need and what/how could I do so the visitor trees are other this time...

176 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

178 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

180 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

182 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

183 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Of course all that has changed a lot since then, an year ago...

IMG_0009 (48) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

Also at the home 'layout' trees are doing their frequent visits but in some cases as here they remain and get roots...

126 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

121 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

120 by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0001 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0011 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr





Other times some special tree grows at the edge of an old village as it hapenned at "Thermostat-Sur-Mer", also at the home layout...

IMG_0005 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0006 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0007 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0008 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0008 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0009 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0010 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0009 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0012 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0014 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0015 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0016 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0017 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0021 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0025 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0026 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

IMG_0027 (2) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

THERMOSTAT-SUR-MER is a tiny 1/32 scale village occupying a 90degree triangular area of 30cm X 40cm at  80mm fron the sea and...

IMG_0023 (3) by Daniel Osvaldo Caso, on Flickr

... yes, 50cm from the thermostat.