Hey, I was curious about alternative materials to creating a diorama base. I don’t have any XPS foam at the moment and my local hardware store hasn’t had any for a while. I was planning on using a small piece of foam I had already but it slipped my mind that I had already used. Does anyone know of anything else that would work? TIA, Colin
Piece of plywood. Wooden plaque from a craft store. Picture frame w/wood or foam replacing the glass. Top from a large jar. Part from an ammo can. Cigar box. Helmet. Etc., etc., etc… Use your imagination.
3 Likes
Thanks, I’ll probably pick up a picture frame.
If you have a craft store nearby, they have different kinds of foam, cork board, and wood. You can also try paper mâché or plaster over paper/chicken wire.
Ken
3 Likes
I assume you mean Styrofoam i.e. the packing that comes with white goods etc, rigid & light. I’m guilty of cruising the streets late at night (noooo not for that…well, unless…no no no) when there’s a local tip-out collection scheduled, it doesn’t take long to find a pile of useful blocks/panels of it. I think it’s far superior to plywood/wood/cork simply because it’s lighter, inert, and allows scope for contouring. It can always be glued to a panel of ply for extra rigidity.
3 Likes
Just don’t use CA glue, as it will eat the styrofoam away…
2 Likes
MDF - Home Depot & others have it .
3 Likes
Flower arranging Oasis blocks are good as well. Easy to cut and shape, and you can apply the mud rock or surface layer direct onto it.
I usually use that inside a cheap picture/photo frame with the glass replaced with a 2 to 4 mm section of cheap ply board or similar.
3 Likes
Thanks to all who took the time to reply! I’ll try to find most of that stuff and see what works best for me.
1 Like
@Dioramartin , Yeah. Lowe’s has some of that but I’ve stayed away from it. I live in a smaller town so there’s not much extra styrofoam anywhere. I’ll probably get a sheet of that.
1 Like
@tankerken , I will check around at Hobby Lobby and Michael’s. Thanks for your help!
@Johnnych01 , I am going to look for small picture frames today and will look for those blocks.
@golikell , Yes, thanks, I’ve experienced that before lol!
@RDT1953 Thanks, I’ll look for that.
1 Like
this is the stuff. It will probably be cheaper buying from shops than online … it is over here anyway.
2 Likes
You could drop by any electronics store, computer store, TV sales even Lowes and ask for packaging Styrofoam from their shipments, I have a healthy stack of this stuff that I’ve collected over the years, if you go to Lowes and look on the insulation aisle, they have a pack of sheets about 16" w X 36" long X 1/2" thick sold in a pack of 8 sheets maybe, for under $10.00 or so. As a side note, I don’t know if you have a hot knife but they’re invaluable for cutting styro, if you decide to get one DO NOT get the one offered by WoodLand Scenics, it’s junk, instead order one from Amazon at 1/2 the price. And while I’m at it, when at Lowes, look in the hardware/paint section for “DAP floor leveling compound”, this stuff is great as a covering medium rather than plaster, it’s Latex based, water clean up with a sandy texture but dries to a rubbery hardness and adds little to no weight to your base.
Cajun 
6 Likes
@Johnnych01 ,Thanks, I picked some up today.
@agincajun , Thanks, I’ll do that! I do have a small hot wire cutter, but not a knife. I will look into it, thanks!
2 Likes
Picture frame, a piece of styrofoam and modge podge to waterproof it.
2 Likes