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PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:57 am 
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Wow!


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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:06 pm 
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Finally rounded up a few critical supplies for the top:
Attachment:
File comment: Project supplies
HL project supplies k.jpg
HL project supplies k.jpg [ 135.4 KiB | Viewed 7130 times ]
Found a roll of single-faced corrugated on eBay for a few bucks, and tracked down a shipping tube that looks like it might work (it's a bit thick, so cutting/trimming might be a challenge). The corrugated looks a bit coarser than Howard's, but I think it's usable.

I'm hoping the thickness of the shipping tube will allow me to apply some spackling or putty to cover the spiraling seams without too much risk of warping or damaging the shape. I guess we'll see, but I have enough here for two if I mess the first one up.

Hoping to get back on this by the end of the week.

I went looking for a photo of the Marx castle set I had as a kid. Took me awhile, but I found one:
Attachment:
File comment: Marx castle set
Marx castle set.jpg
Marx castle set.jpg [ 247.23 KiB | Viewed 7128 times ]
Besides a trip down memory lane, I wanted to verify my recollection that the turrets were relatively low in elevation (except the one in the rear left-hand corner, which presumably represents the keep). This will be handy when I decide how tall to cut this version. I made the base a bit bigger than Howard's, so the scale is a bit out-of-whack.


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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 7:20 pm 
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Paul...
Great finds...the single face cardboard, tube and the photo!...I've seen lots of Marx castle photos before...but never this one...

I wouldn't worry too much about the spirals on the outside of the tube...if you use a sand texture paint it will make them less visible...you can also glue and wrap torn strips of brown paper around the tube...sorta like you did to make the base skin...make them random...running in different directions...when primed, textured and painted you'll really never see the spiral band lines...
just my two cents...

When you're finished with the castle build and you need some knights to attack or defend the castle, let me know...i believe i have an excess of Marx look reproduction pieces from some Pacific rim country...

Howard...


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 6:52 pm 
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Thanks for that offer, Howard, but I actually saved most of the knights from the childhood set (castle's gone, trees are mostly gone, and the knights' lances are long gone). Finding them a new home was part of the motivation for taking this on. Hang onto the Marx knights you have...they are tough to track down! The knights for this Marx set I have are pretty small, maybe 1/72-scale or so. They should look size appropriate for the project.

And thanks for the recommendation on texturing the turret. I've been pondering that for a couple of days.

The single-faced corrugated is 97% more than I will ever need (unless I have multiple do-overs). When I'm done I'm sending the rest of the roll to you. You'll use it for your other projects long before I ever will.

Paul


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:19 am 
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I haven't gotten around to starting the top yet, but went ahead and painted the base:
Attachment:
File comment: Tunnel base painted
HL project k.jpg
HL project k.jpg [ 226.25 KiB | Viewed 7074 times ]
I'm not particularly happy with the finish as it's got a bit more sheen to it than I like. I tried an overspray with Rustoleum clear matte and Testors clear matte, neither of which dulled it down sufficiently. A friend of mine who's a modeler suggested Tamiya clear flat, so I sent off an order for a spray can of that. I'm hoping that's the answer, for this project and a number of others.

The cardboard rib-structure I used shows a bit too much (more on the opposite side without the road), but I'm not going to try and fix that at this point.

Hoping to start working on the top bit this week.

Paul


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:13 pm 
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Paul...

I see absolutely nothing wrong with the finish...the colors are very subtle and very vintage...there's texture, too...too bright?...not to me...I think you've done a superb job on the tunnel...I'm certain the rest of the project will be done with the same level of craftsmanship...

Howard...


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PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:32 am 
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Thanks, Howard. It looks better in the photo than it does in person, lol. I might go back and do a bit of dry-brushing at some point, but for now, I'll leave it alone.

I started work on the round tower, figuring that's the toughest of the three main bits to cut the windows in. The shipping tube I'm using is really thick cardboard, so I was worried that cutting openings would be tough. It turned out not to be a problem once I put a new blade in the Exacto.

Another question - what kind of cardboard did you use for the crenel bit at the top of the turret and the keep? I can't quite tell from your pics. Is that thin corrugated or single-ply, a la cereal boxes?

Paul


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PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:39 am 
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Paul...

that is small flute, single face cardboard...about 8 or so flutes/ripples to the inch...it is a scrap booking craft item...i know it's available on line...https://www.hobbylobby.com/Scrapbook-Pa ... 2/p/111173

i'm going to mail you a few sheets so you can complete your project...the same stuff is used for the tile on the roofs...

note...you may also be able to find locally...i have seen it along the bottom foot or so of soft drink and beer displays in grocery stores...they wrap it around the pallet and the first stack of cases in the mass out display...that's actually where i got mine...

howard...


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PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:56 pm 
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Thanks, Howard. Next time I'm over at Michael's or Hobby Lobby I'll check out the scrap-booking aisle. It never occurred to me to look in there.

Paul


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PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:20 pm 
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Love love love this


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