Hey Y'all, Check out these rock formation models of every type made out of latex rubber. They are offered by Bragdon Enterprises. Their website is: Bragdon Enterprises. Very reasonable and can save you a bunch of time trying to do your own. Thought I'd pass it along. Manny
Guy across the street who is also a modeler said he saw a guy take aluminum foil and wrinkle it up just so and use it to either cast in or just put on the layout and paint/gound cover or whatever to make great looking rock cuts. I'm using some Woodland Scenics but have to be careful not to repeat too often.
Used lump coal to make the ones I have. Many layers of latex rubber brushed on, then a few pieces of cheese cloth to strengthen, and many more layers of latex. I find the strata and complexity in lump coal formations simulate many types of rocks. Plus they are fairly easy to shape into the size and contours you might need. Tom Holley
I guess it all depends upon what kind of rocks that one wants. At the old club layout, we used the crumpled foil as a mold and it worked fairly well for a volcanic or metamorphic rock. I can tell you that the local LEO's get nervious seeing one trying to make rock molds along side four-lane divided highways. At least they were 30 years ago and I can't imagine it being any better now. I did manage to snag some coal chunks from a seam off a highway in Missouri 30 years ago. I hope the statute of limitations has past. Coal molds makes wonderful limestone cuts. Same for broken ceiling tile, but kinda too even for closeups. Used dryer sheets can also be used to strengthen molds.
Yea, I guess we are lucky as you can still buy lump coal in a few places, still have a few "Stoker-Matic" coal burners left around here too, clinkers and all Tom Holley
Yes, thanks for the link. The rocks make a big difference. I am just starting that process. I am using the woodland type, but I may get a few of these also. Bill Jackson
These molds are meant to be casting rocks with resin, not plaster, hydrocal, or any other plaster like substance. I talked with my good friend today, Robert Wintzinger, who knows a lot about these molds. They make excellent rocks and much lighter than the plaster counterparts.
I did a double take on the link. I didn't notice the resin part, which is good also. It does say though, you can use with plaster or hydrocal. Even though it weigh's more, that would be my choice. I have not used resin, much, I did however pour a lake and river on my layout that I had in KC several yrs ago. Bill Jackson
