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Modeling in General
General discussions about modeling topics.
Plastic grid
Andronicus
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 07:42 AM UTC
Hi guys,

I'm trying to source some plastic grid I can use for a catwalk/gantry floor in 1/6 scale. Internet searches are not coming up with anythign very useful. Anyone got any ideas?

Many thanks

A
russamotto
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 09:52 AM UTC
Maybe cage material for small pets, or very fine mesh screen for chicks, or a fish tank divider. Sometimes berries are sold at the market in a small plastic basket. Or try a cooking supply store for strainers. I have seen some material at train shops that may serve as a catwalk surface. I think it was the bracework that divides the two halves of a flatcar in "O" scale. Don't know if this is quite what you were looking for but I hope it helps.
Andronicus
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 10:05 AM UTC
Hi Russ,

Thanks for the ideas - I think it will definately take some lateral thinking to solve it - your thoughts might be the lead I need.

I've actually seen the perfect stuff in on pub shelves but I've no idea where it came from!

Cheers

A
CMOT
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ARMORAMA
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 02:31 PM UTC
If I follow this correctly as to what you are after you could try the mesh they use for frying pan splash guards, cut it to the size you want then add a frame around it. Or does it have to be plastic? If this is of use I have seen them in the UK up to 18inches across.
Andronicus
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 - 10:50 PM UTC
Hi CMOT,
Thanks for your response
I've primarily looked at plastic because it's easier to work with and seemed the likeliest material to find what I want in. What I want is something that in 1/6 scale would pass as a heavy-duty metal grid serving as floor panels for a raised walkway. To that end the surface has to be flat (metal mesh I've looked at so far is usually made of rods laid over another layer in a lattice - this wouldn't suit as it's not a level walking surface).

If I can source something along these lines - in the right size - that would be ideal

http://www.reeftime.com/diy-reef-projects/diy-shelf/make-movable-shelf/13.htm

But where would you get flourescent lighting grids??? Work might object if I start walking home with theirs

Cheers

A
chukw1
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Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 03:38 AM UTC
How about the plastic gridding used for needlepoint?
matt
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Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 08:34 AM UTC
why not use some window screen over some clear sheet... it'd get you the effect you want.

Plastruct use to make something that looked like the "expanded metal" decking

Andronicus
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Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 10:52 AM UTC
Hi chukw1, matt,

Thanks for the suggestions - will investigate
okdoky
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Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 11:35 AM UTC
Hi A

If you go to a builders merchant you can by rendalath which is a metal grid that is fixed to timber panels so that a render can be applied over the metal lath. It is very strong and could be cut and solderred to metal angle to make it look like panels that could be fixed to I beam supports.

There is also a version used for internal and external patch repairs and reinforcement of plaster or render walls. The mesh is imbedded into the plaster as it is applied to the wall and then the next coat of plaster is added on top. This will be in sheets of mesh or strips for corner details so you could choose whether you want narrow catwalks or wider mesh panels over a gallery floor made of I beams and angle.

Hope it helps

Nige
okdoky
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Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 11:42 AM UTC
I am sure you can get meshes in varied mesh size too

http://www.expandedmetalcompany.co.uk/features_benefits.html

All the best

Nige
HARV
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Posted: Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 04:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text

How about the plastic gridding used for needlepoint?



I was going to suggest the same thing Chuck.

HARV
Andronicus
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Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009 - 05:57 AM UTC
H Okey,

Many thanks for that--I'll look into it!





Quoted Text


Quoted Text

How about the plastic gridding used for needlepoint?



I was going to suggest the same thing Chuck.
HARV



Chuck/HARV,

I spotted this on the web so interesting you both suggested it too. I've just come back from town via a Dr's appt and asked in my local art shop--but it looks like that particular product is going out of fashion in my neck of the globe as they don't stock it and didn't think similar shops nearby did either, but I'll see if I can find an online source.

Cheers!


A

Andronicus
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Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009 - 07:12 AM UTC
I keep seeing Flourescent lighting grids being put to use in a variety of projects:

http://www.gemcityrockclub.org/images/s-sph1.jpg

- a table fountain in this case.


and here...
http://users.stratuswave.net/~wd8jik/window/window.htm

I can't seem to find it myself!

A
Andronicus
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Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009 - 08:11 AM UTC
Apparently I should be a Koi enthusiast!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Filter-Media-Grid-Egg-Crate-Koi-Fish-Pond_W0QQitemZ280350967067QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HomeGarden_Garden_PondsWaterFeatures_UK?hash=item414638451b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A6|72%3A1683|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A25#ebayphotohosting

Looks like I might have found the exact thing I wanted


A
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