Trees on the Cheap - Part I

Posted by gbprime on 15. May 2009 14:46

For the upcoming RTT at Origins, one of my tasks is coming up with enough woods sections to equip three 4x6 tables.  Since we have no trees, I need to make or buy them.  I could buy them, but each terrain base of trees would cost roughly 8 bucks if I use GW trees or a decent competitor, and that doesn't count the cost of prepping the base itself.  Since I need roughly 18 sections of woods, that's over 130 $US... and that's unacceptable.

No, for this project, I'll be doing 18 woods sections, including 36 trees and 36 bushes, for a total cost of 39 $US.

Here's what we need for the project.

 - 1 pack GW Round bases (37 count) - $8
 - 1 spool Floral Wire - $2
 - 2 spools Floral Tape - $3
 - 2 spools Floral Clay - $4
 - 2 bunches of small-leaf fake greenery, on sale 50% off - $6
 - 2 buckets modelling flock, on sale 50% off - $7
 - 1 pack 40 rare earth magnets - $5
 - 1 tube PVA glue - $4
 - assorted scrap sheet metal - free

The idea is that we cut the sheet metal and cover it in flock to provide the base of the terrain.  Then I build up trees and shrubs on the round bases, and put a magnet on the bottom of the taller trees so they won't fall over.

Stay tuned for Part 2, the basic assembly.