The Loose Association of Wargamers

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 4:32 pm So how does this stuff compare to the blue stuff everyone uses?

I only know the white stuff.

RMD wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 6:06 pm

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 4:32 pm So how does this stuff compare to the blue stuff everyone uses?

I only know the white stuff.

I think you're using the high density expanded Polystyrene?
The benefit of that over the blue/grey foam is that it's slightly softer and easier to cut and sand...but that's also its downside as it's less hard wearing and more susceptibl to accidental damage. If you're using a modelling compound over the expanded poly it probably negates it's downside a bit.
I'd always go for the blue (extruded) polystyrene as i'm used to it and am a clumsy sod. i didn't realise that it was also cheaper.
RMD is totally right though in that the DIY grade expanded poly just is not worth spending money on as it's much softer and too easily broken up into irritating beads that you'll still be finding long after you forgot you'd ever built the terrain!

Oh THAT pink stuff. Yeah we used to use that in the AB Figures Wargames Weekend days, but I found it too much of a pain in the arse to work with, tbh.

So... Who does the blue stuff in pre-cut 12" tiles?

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:11 pm So... Who does the blue stuff in pre-cut 12" tiles?

Try Ecclestone's. I'm sure they do all sorts. My batch was relatively expensive basically because it was a small bespoke order.

That looks amazing.

I may need to give this much more thought.

Iain

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:11 pm So... Who does the blue stuff in pre-cut 12" tiles?

You may not have much luck with imperial sizes grandad but I always got good service from Panel Systems:
https://www.panelsystems.co.uk/products/modelling-foam

As Paul said, the blue stuff is being phased out so this is the replacement
https://www.panelsystems.co.uk/product/xenergy

Haven’t tried that yet but the blue stuff was excellent. Best cut with a hot wire and breath mask or a serrated edge bread knife and a Hoover!

Grandad!! On this forum!!!

Ta for that. Annoying they only do 600x600. I have no faith in my ability to cut into 4 equal squares... Suppose the big ones would do for the base... I shall ponder...

Count Belisarius wrote: ↑Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:11 pm So... Who does the blue stuff in pre-cut 12" tiles?

What size do you want?
Craftfoam do it in 600mm squares and varying thicknesses.
LT posted the link above but for completeness.
https://www.panelsystems.co.uk/products/modelling-foam

Firedragon do 1ft (well 28cm) squares in 10mm thick sheets. Both plain and embossed sheets....very handy stuff and great guys to deal with too.
https://www.firedragongames.co.uk/materials

The advantage of 10mm thickness is that it is much easier to create negative features such as rivers and valleys etc... As you can use two or more sheets on top of each other to get your desired board thickness.
I'm always happy to help with this sort of thing as I've done a lot of it (to varying standards) and it is something I enjoy a lot more than painting figures

Don't be tempted to but the grey stuff from random Ebay sellers though. I bought some which was supposedly the same but was much more fibrous than the extruded poly i'm used to. That formula didn't carve or sand well and I ended up using it only there it was needed to add bulk underneath the 'good stuff'.

Continuing my slow progression through the SYW and GNW in devotion to the COTOTS.