Hi

I would like to ask a question for the South Africans in the audience.

I read on various forums that people use foamcore, pink insulation foam and other types of products to create diorama bases.

My questions: (Taking into account I'm living in Gauteng and I would like to build buildings and bases for Wargaming)

1. Does foamcore have the same name in South Africa?
2. Does pink insulation foam have the same name in South Africa?
3. Where do I find it? (going to my local hardware shops, the only response that I get is ... )
4. If it can be found in South Africa, would it be too much to ask for specific store names?
5. If this products are not in South Africa, what do I use instead? (Do I use styrofoam?)

Any information regarding your techniques would be more as welcome too!

Yours faithfully and anxiously waiting for your valued input!

Dieter

Hi Dieter

It’s been awhile since I lived in SA (Tswane/Pretoria whatever it’s called nowadays), but here goes:

Foamcore is basically a polystyrene core with a clay or paper covering. So try looking for polystyrene. Some hardware stores do keep it in stock, but I found that the CNA (do they still exist?) used to be able to get hold of it for me. Also places that cater for graphic artists will stock it, as IIRC foamcore was originally produced for the graphic arts industry.

Have you tried talking to the guys at Jix yet?

Hope this helps.


EDIT: I almost forgot to mention, I used to go to furniture and appliance stores (Russels, Morkels, Dion’s etc…) and ask for the packaging materials. They were usually happy to give them away, cut these up and you can glue them into the numerous shapes you require.

Don’t forget to take a black bag with….

Eric,

Great advice... what you're describing sounds like the packaging some TV's come in....

Rudi

Yep Rudi, Styrofoam / polystyrene whatever you call it, just about anything related to electronics is packaged in it.

One of the Bostik range of glues, I think (can’t be sure) it was the milder Contact adhesive used to work well on Styrofoam / polystyrene.

A good graphic supply shop should have it. Ask for it under the names of Foamboard or even Featherboard. It should come in A3, A2 or even A1 sheets. It may also be known uber the name of 'feather-board'..Jim

Dood gewone white glue can be used to glue polystyrene core... well that's what we always sold the RC plane guys for their polystyrene core wings... didn't hear of any coming apart mid-air - well not because of the glue anyway... :-)

Also UHU make a "special" polystyrene glue... any half-decent art supply store should keep it...

Rudi

Thanks guys for the replies.

I have been to Eswex and Victor's but not to Jix Hobbies. I'll have a look around in the art shops too!

Regards

Dieter