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Post by adamantinedragon on Dec 1, 2013 2:35:20 GMT
... or wizard tower if you prefer. I did this just to check on some new techniques: It’s mostly made out of a cheap plastic cemetery vase and some stuff I had laying around the game room. Here’s the cemetery vase ($3.79 I think): And here’s the rest of the stuff I used, mostly it’s foam core posterboard, some cardboard, a cheap plastic cup and a “tea candle” which I got at the local dollar store, two for $1. And a different angle on the lighthouse: The main thing I was testing out was the use of the stone texture paint on some cheap plastic to see if it would provide a decent illusion. I think it did OK.
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Luciano
Cardboard Collector
Live each day with joy! Because every day is a good day!
Posts: 42
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Post by Luciano on Dec 1, 2013 2:46:24 GMT
Great idea! Really easy and useful!
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Post by skunkape on Dec 1, 2013 3:16:50 GMT
Great idea, well built!
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Post by adamantinedragon on Dec 1, 2013 3:40:21 GMT
It actually looks much better from a few feet away. The closeups reveal all its flaws. From across the room it looks pretty darn good. I also still need to cut a door and at least one window...
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Kyral
Paint Manipulator
Building Worlds.
Posts: 157
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Post by Kyral on Dec 1, 2013 8:15:34 GMT
That is a really good idea.
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Post by dmdubbledee on Dec 1, 2013 14:37:31 GMT
Looks fantastic! I'll be scooping this idea, for certain.
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Post by DMScotty on Dec 1, 2013 15:10:35 GMT
Very cool
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Post by adamantinedragon on Dec 1, 2013 19:15:55 GMT
Some things I would do differently after doing the first one.
1. The plastic on the cemetery vase is very slick. I first used Aileen's tacky glue to glue the vase to the plastic cup and it popped loose easily. I ended up using super glue. 2. The plastic cup I used to extend the height of the tower is a very thin plastic. If I couldn't find a stronger cup, I'd do something to reinforce the plastic on that cup. 3. I would make the platform wider. This one is too small for most mini bases to fit comfortably. 4. I would try to find some hexagonal plastic container to use as the top room for the light itself. I just used a clear plastic cup, but that doesn't give exactly the look I wanted.
A quick explanation of the tea candle. The way that is installed is as follows. I cut a circle of foam core posterboard the same size as the base of the tea candle, then I glued some 2mm thick foam around the base creating a receptacle to hold the tea candle, then I glued that down in the center of the platform. The clear cup on top just fits around the foam snugly holding it in place. So to turn on or off the tea candle you just pop off the top clear cup, pull out the tea candle and flick the switch, then you put the tea candle back in the receptacle and then pop the clear cup back on top.
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Post by monkeywithtacos on Dec 2, 2013 1:39:29 GMT
Nicely done!
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Post by spankytaz on Dec 4, 2013 2:11:08 GMT
Holy cow your games must be brutal if you keep a cemetery vase in your games room!!
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dmshane
Cardboard Collector
Posts: 13
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Post by dmshane on Dec 24, 2013 17:34:32 GMT
Mr. A.Dragon, At first I thought it looked like a coke bottle. I am curious about possible fire hazards, will it melt? I have never built a light house but could use one for a lake diorama I am planning. I think I will forgo the flame for a battery ! ( Gamers can be such klutzes ). Post any updates and revisions, btw the stone texture looks fine.
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Post by miltonmurphy on Dec 24, 2013 17:52:18 GMT
Nicely done adamantinedragon and what a wonderfully simple approach. I just picked up several more tea lights from the dollar store and this is definitely the fate of one of them!
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Post by adamantinedragon on Dec 24, 2013 21:12:06 GMT
Mr. A.Dragon, At first I thought it looked like a coke bottle. I am curious about possible fire hazards, will it melt? I have never built a light house but could use one for a lake diorama I am planning. I think I will forgo the flame for a battery ! ( Gamers can be such klutzes ). Post any updates and revisions, btw the stone texture looks fine. DMShane, it's a green plastic graveyard vase, I bought it at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. If it ever gets near a flame, I've got bigger problems than the flammability of this item. The light is a cheap dollar store tea candle, which runs on a watch battery. It doesn't produce any significant heat. I can't help but look at stuff at stores and think about how they can be turned into game terrain or miniatures. I had been thinking about doing a lighthouse and saw this one in the flower section and thought it would be a simple and easy project. And that's what it turned out to be.
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javenspell
Paint Manipulator
Is this your Character sheet Larry?
Posts: 166
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Post by javenspell on Dec 25, 2013 1:18:09 GMT
Wow...you guys never cease to amaze me...that lighthouse ROCKS!
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dmjonny
Paint Manipulator
Posts: 133
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Post by dmjonny on Dec 28, 2013 14:30:55 GMT
Nice idea. Love the outcome :-)
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Post by bloodchoke on Dec 28, 2013 20:52:54 GMT
Nice work! It's good to see all the creative uses for those tea lights everyone keeps coming up with.
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