Large Scale Central

Building Mountains Out Of Concrete

General Discussion
#1

I have been asked several times to make a video on my mountain building technique

Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d37NtVqRx1k&feature=youtu.be

#2

This is video part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d37NtVqRx1k&feature=youtu.be

Part 3 coloring technique, will be coming soon

I have been asked to give a clinic at the NGRC in Denver, I am scheduled to give 2 clinics

Thanks Dennis

#3

This is Part 1…

#4

This is Part 2…

#5

Dennis,

I have love the work you do. One ting I didn’t get, maybe I missed it, but how long after you place the molded rocks before you come back and scratch the joints. It seems like a fairly dry cement that you are scratching yet not hard. Also are we going to see the coloring technique?

Also are those latex molds. Seems like the same technique I used in HO. Are they reinforced with anything.

#6

Devon, if I place my cement in the evenig I will scratch the joints the next morning. if during the day, i will wait 3-5 hours depending on the heat and the sunshine. Much easier when partially dried.

I use laytex molds from Bragdon Enterprise in calif.

I have done some with tin foil, I have made a few with other techniques, and nothing is as easy with the great results as the latex molds.

I will do the coloring video after the convention.

I have 2 clinics to do at the national convention on Mountain Building, if you are there, check it out.

Dennis

#7

I used to use latex mold for my HO scenery all the time. These looked the same only giant size and I agree nothing works as well. Are they reinforced at all. The one that tore in the video didn’t look like it. I used gauze in my molds. I would paint on some latex then add a layer of gauze then more latex. Made the molds a little more rigid and last much longer. Wonder if the same could be done here.

It looks god though thanks for sharing.

#8

Devon

Thanks for your interest.

I don’t think they are reinforced, if making them yourself, you sure could add a gauze for reinforcement.

That is the only one in 3 years that has torn, and it was somewhat thinner than any other one, from the start.

The biggest key, is to remove within 24 hours after the cement has been placed.

Dennis

#9

I haven’t watched the videos all the way through yet, did you mention a mold releasing agent?

I think that Mr. Bragdon uses some sort of reinforcement in his molds.

#10

He uses WD40 for mold release.

I’ve made some for Sully here in Oklahoma. Well, I finished one, started another and Don’s finishing the other. For “carving” the partly set mortar, I use a small putty knife that no longer has sharp corners.

I’m excited to learn how to color them. We have some lovely moss growing on the north side.

#11

Thanks for posting this great info, Dennis.

-Kevin.