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Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain bases
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Author:  splash [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain bases
Okay, so I was cutting some basswood into 6" squares when I realized two things. The wood was warped, that pissed me off. The wood was listed as 12" x 6"...and it's neither 12" long nor 6" wide. That pissed me off more.

The idea is to cut many 6" squares to affix terrain to for a modular game board. I need exact 6" squares. I don't own a big saw (and probably shouldn't operate one with my condition), so I have to get what I need precut or at least something that I can tediously cut by hand.

I was thinking 1/8" plastic, and priced some 6" squares at Litko in various materials, but it was prohibitedly expensive. Ridicuously expensive. Ludicrously expensive.

Any ideas on how I can proceed at this point, or anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?
Author:  Signal [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain ba
Step One.

Then, use a ruler and a box cutter to score and then snap your tiles. Should work out just fine.
Author:  angelbarracks [ Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain ba
Steel?
I use steel to base lots of my stuff.
Not too expensive, cut by the supplier, thiin, strong and warp free for years!
Author:  Dwarf Supreme [ Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain ba
splash wrote:
Okay, so I was cutting some basswood into 6" squares when I realized two things. The wood was warped, that pissed me off. The wood was listed as 12" x 6"...and it's neither 12" long nor 6" wide. That pissed me off more.

It's been a long time since wood was sold in exact inches. A 2" x 4", for example, is actually 1.75" by 3.75". Even a sheet of plywood isn't exactly 8' x 4', I think.
Author:  splash [ Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain ba
Dwarf Supreme wrote:
splash wrote:
Okay, so I was cutting some basswood into 6" squares when I realized two things. The wood was warped, that pissed me off. The wood was listed as 12" x 6"...and it's neither 12" long nor 6" wide. That pissed me off more.

It's been a long time since wood was sold in exact inches. A 2" x 4", for example, is actually 1.75" by 3.75". Even a sheet of plywood isn't exactly 8' x 4', I think.


Yeah, I know. But it annoys the hell out of me. I pay for 6"x6", they sell it advertised as such. By god, I should be able to get exactly what I want.

/slamsfistintopalm

:{[]

Thanks for the info gents.
Author:  Mattman [ Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a bit of advice on using large tiles for terrain ba
Warping is the one issue I am concerned with when basing my terrain, and like yourself I am looking at doing things based around 150mm by 150mm or 300mm by 300mm squares for my modular city.
I am looking at acrylic or perspex myself, should be stronger than wood, foam or card and less likely to warp.
Near me there is this place that cuts acrylic and perspex sheet to size, which I am going to try out. Prices work out in the region of:

3mm thick black acrylic, 150mm by 150mm = £0.88
5mm thick black acrylic, 150mm by 150mm = £1.46
3mm thick black acrylic, 300mm by 300mm = £3.51
5mm thick black acrylic, 300mm by 300mm = £5.85

Clear acrylic is even cheaper:

3mm thick clear acrylic, 150mm by 150mm = £0.51
5mm thick clear acrylic, 150mm by 150mm = £0.77
3mm thick clear acrylic, 300mm by 300mm = £2.05
5mm thick clear acrylic, 300mm by 300mm = £3.06

Comparing the above to Litko (10 of 3mm black acrylic, 150mm by 150mm $143/£93!!!) it seems massively cheaper

Obviously this is a UK based shop, but I would have thought there would be someone similar in the US who is doing the same thing? A quick google throws up these:

http://www.vipplastics.com/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=1008

http://www.delviesplastics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DPI&Category_Code=125_Cut_Acrylic_Sheet_Page

Might be worth a look.

Hope that helps.

Matt
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