What Method Works to Make Trees?

watash Oct 6, 2000

  1. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    Regardless of Gauge or Scale, what method has proven suggessful to you, to make trees and bushes, using today's materials? Such as; do you use weeds, wire forms, etc, or do you just purchase them ready made? I know there are probably many ways, some cheap, some expensive, and there are those you have found to be the best for your own layout. Please help out the newbies, and up date us older generation to the new materials that make your layouts look so outstanding in the photos we see on this and other sites.

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  2. Maxwell Plant

    Maxwell Plant TrainBoard Member

    1,087
    4
    29
    I've used a little of everything but to me the best looking trees I make are from the real thing. I don't like painted weeds, to me that's exactly what they look like, painted weeds. I use real tree twigs that I pick up in my own yard. Glue a little bit of ground-foam chunks to them and sprinkle a light dusting of fine ground foam of a different shade on them. Spray it down with "wet" matte medium and let it dry. Instant tree!

    ------------------
    Brent Tidaback, Member #234
    BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot!
    "Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!"
    The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
     
  3. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    When you say "wet" matte medium, do you mean you have added a surfactant, like detergent? Do you spray until it is all wet, ready to run off? Is the Mat. Med. glossy or flat? or is it colored like autumn colors?

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  4. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    10,798
    460
    127
  5. Maxwell Plant

    Maxwell Plant TrainBoard Member

    1,087
    4
    29
    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by watash:
    When you say "wet" matte medium, do you mean you have added a surfactant, like detergent? Do you spray until it is all wet, ready to run off? Is the Mat. Med. glossy or flat? or is it colored like autumn colors?

    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The answers: Yes but I use 70% streangth Isopropel Rubbing Alcohol not detergent, No, Flat and Clear.



    ------------------
    Brent Tidaback, Member #234
    BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot!
    "Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!"
    The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
     
  6. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    We gathered some twigs, weeds, roots, etc, then hung them with 'limbs' down on rafters in our garage about this time of year. Let dry over January, then usually made very thin mix of diluted inks and paints, and dipped groups per color and hung up to dry. We would go back again for various shades, then had thinned varnish, dipped and sprinkled stained sawdust on and let dry. Dip again in varnish, saw dust from top of tree like rain, and dry again. Is that the basic method you use with today's materials? The grass root balls were used in back ground as filler and for distance. Twigs up front, but would still get broken off if touched or catch on a sleeve. We used kitchen flour sifters to apply the sawdust so no large chunks etc. Probable work for ground foam same way. I have buckets full of saw dust from my shop, and am saving it, also have inks (25/30yrs old) for staining leaves and trunks.

    ------------------
    Watash

    [This message has been edited by watash (edited 08 October 2000).]
     
  7. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    I just gota new method suggested from a guy who used to work in a foundry, that he thinks would work for our trees! As he described it, we take a bottom from a five gallon plastic bucket, cut it out from inside so it will just slip down into another bucket snuggly. Drill 1/16" holes in circles spaced 1/2" apart from center out. Each hole is about 1/2" spaced around each circle from each other hole, to make a sive. Drill a hole at the bottom of a good bucket at one side to a tight fit on an air hose. He says to use a regulator if needed. He said one used on the paashe air brush we paint our engines with would probably work on ground foam, maybe even saw dust. It takes very little pressure, you want a slow flow like an air bed. Pour the bucket no more than 1/8th full to start. gently open the regulator until air flow begins and watch the dust build in the bucket. Increase flow until the cloud reaches within 3" of the top, but is not blowing up out the top, just a soft cloud forming. Spray instant adhesive, or dip tree armature into 'glue' then gently dip tree down into cloud and back out. Only enough 'cloud' will adhere to cover the wet area. The quicker in and out the less coverage. This is how the ceramic dust is applied when they build up the molds for lost wax castings. It fills every nook and cranny, to obtain fine detail. They dip several times allowing drying time between each. Their last few dips are of a coarser grit that is just for strength. Then they fire the mold allowing the wax to flow out the bottom (Pouring Sprue). Then the molds are cooled down to the pouring temperature of the metal to be poured into the mold. Each mold is removed hot, turned so the sprue is up, set into a sand box, and metal poured in full, and allowed to cool. I am going to try his idea on the trees, and might try making a wax for casting also. I'll let you know how it comes out. Anyone else tried this?

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  8. Maxwell Plant

    Maxwell Plant TrainBoard Member

    1,087
    4
    29
    Now that Catt, wt&c, and myself have edit power here, let's move this to the "Inspection Pit so ALL modelers can see this topic. It's really not an "Free-Lance" issue. So...ROLL IT TO THE PIT! [​IMG]

    ------------------
    Brent Tidaback, Member #234
    BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot!
    "Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!"
    The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
     
  9. atsfman

    atsfman TrainBoard Member

    96
    0
    19
    I think in my 50 years of model railroading I have tried about everything in making trees. I avoid the commercial ready made ones like the plague because I think they look artificial. The current version of the Santa Fe is set in a part of Oklahoma which isn't heavily "treed", first smart move. I pretty much use the Woodland kits, airbrushing those plastic trunks then different foliages. Actually, I don't make a lot of trees, my wife does. She makes them on trips sitting in the car with a work tray, and when we get back home, I have 40 or 50 new trees to plant. We also use Brent's method of twigs and also we find some bushes and shrubs give us trunks. And I have used the method in kits made by a lady in Texas. She demonstrated them at an NMRA convention, we had a hand's on clinic and I use some just for contrast. I think the real key is to find out what trees are most numerous in the area you are modeling, then concentrate on them.
    On my garden railroading, I use God's trees, especially little pine tree volunteers that I transplant and use until they get too big. Then dig them out and put in new ones.

    Bob Miller
     
  10. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    Thanks, Bob. The trees that may look the best for me might very well be like you discribed. The valley is pretty well sheltered from high winds, but gets good sun light in summer, and has lots of evergreens up on the canyon walls and tops. During winter snow falls almost straight down, so gets maybe up to ten feet deep, then lots of water falls in the spring thaws.

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  11. slynch

    slynch E-Mail Bounces

    62
    0
    19
    I have used sagebush, wire brushed, a bit of Minwax stain and spread out foliage net. Spray with a bit of dullcoat as a "fix". Drill hole in bottom and 1" nail (head cut off), plant. http://www.nyandw.com/images/oakmade.jpg

    Best, SL



    ------------------
     
  12. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    Thanks, Slynch, that's a good looking oak tree! I wonder where one could find sage brush in Texas? Ha! That was one bush I had thought about, but it seemed to be too brittle. The one I tried was already dead. I'll try a new one. "Dusting" ground foam seems to get it on the limbs and trunk, if tree trunk is dipped. Maybe I should try rolling just the tips of limbs into a large mouth pan? I have no experience making a tree. Other people supplied the trees. I'll need a mountain full of pine and spruce too.

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  13. atsfman

    atsfman TrainBoard Member

    96
    0
    19
    Hey Watash, from an Okie to a Texan, if you would like to get a look at the trees my wife makes, go to my web site listed below.
    http://home.kc.rr.com/cwha/atsfmodelrr/

    It has the HO ATSF plus the Garden & Santa Fe. The HO railroad models the ATSF mainline through Oklahoma City and the Enid district which is where I grew up, so the trees are "supposed" to mimic that area.

    Bob Miller
     
  14. Craig Martyn

    Craig Martyn TrainBoard Member

    1,203
    6
    29
    For smaller trees I use wire all bent around together and then painted. Really does look great!



    ------------------
    Craig Martyn

    Best Looking Models Around
    Custom detailing

    AND N scale detail parts.

    BLMA N Scale Detail Parts
    BLMAinfo@aol.com
     
  15. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    Its a small world, AtSFman! My Grandfather raised "turkey red wheat" at Aline, 54 miles west of Enid. I spent summers there, and on my Uncle Jack McNickle's place there. Drove a John Deere during harvest until the self-propelled ones came along. One saturday, I got to ride from Aline down to Cleo and back to get several box cars and bring back to Aline. The ride was on a 4-6-0, but I don't remember the railroad, too many years.

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  16. atsfman

    atsfman TrainBoard Member

    96
    0
    19
    Hey guy, I believe the line through Cleo Springs was the old Frisco line that is now the Grainbelt down to Southard. I am pretty sure, as there was also a Rock Island branch that ran over through that way. I was a student pastor at Cleo Springs while doing my seminary days at Phillips in Enid.
    We still go down to Enid once in awhile to look at the changes. Sure has changed since BNSF.
    Bob Miller
     
  17. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    My Uncle Paul lived at Enid when he went through the F.B.I. school, then was transfered to Okla.,City til he retired.

    Has anyone heard of a method of making a lawn or pasture by painting a coat of almost dry varnish on the area, and when tacky, a woolen cloth of the desired color is gently put on the surface and allowed to dry hard? Then the cloth is pulled off which is supposed to leave the fibers sticking up looking like grass or weeds. I'm not sure what kind of material to get. I have heard it is common practise in England. Alan?

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  18. lgobin

    lgobin New Member

    3
    0
    17
    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slynch:
    I have used sagebush, wire brushed, a bit of Minwax stain and spread out foliage net. Spray with a bit of dullcoat as a "fix". Drill hole in bottom and 1" nail (head cut off), plant. http://www.nyandw.com/images/oakmade.jpg<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    A fine looking tree, indeed. Sagebrush is my favorite tree armature. For detailed instructions on how to make such trees, please see my page, Making Trees.


    ------------------
    Lynn Gobin
    Zumbro Valley & Western
    Rochester, Minnesota, USA
    [​IMG]

    [This message has been edited by lgobin (edited 01 November 2000).]
     
  19. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    4,826
    20
    64
    Igobin, I got the biggest laugh out of your site! I liked the:"She got the house I got etc- Hahahahaha.
    Many thanks for the info on the trees. You guys have convinced me that our blessed sage brush is after all usefull for something besides tumble weeds. Those are good too for this. Dead trees. Thanks guys.

    ------------------
    Watash
     
  20. rmathos

    rmathos TrainBoard Member

    130
    0
    20
    This is the best time of the year to hunt natural tree material up here in the Arizona mountains. With the leaves off most trees and bushes, I go "shopping" for what looks good. The twiggy ends of many bushes and trees here are well developed and three demensional, and i just carefully snip off the amount i need that looks like a fully branched HO scale tree. When i finally moved last month to the "flatlands", i had 6 banana boxes full of future trees that are just waiting for follaige. I also want to say that i enjoy, and have the time to make my own foam greenery. I got a bunch of free foam matress scraps from a local shop, an old blender for $3 from the thrift store, some 50 cent jars of different shades of green craft paint and make tons of any size or color ground foam i need for almost no cost- it's messy and takes time, but check out the price of a big bag of ground foam at the hobby shop! I can make tons of trees that look like real ones for very little actual money, and blend my own shade of green to match the real ones i'm trying to match. Curt
     

Share This Page