Sand, lots of it

Thanks for the replies so far guys, much appreciated.

I have been searching all afternoon and come across this site, which seems like others might find it useful too, they have a selection of different gravels and sand in lots of colours.

http://www.rista.co.uk/

The "Apollo" range of Black Gravel looks ideal for using as Coal, and at £2.40 for 400g its cheaper than the model stuff I have seen so far.

I think the one they have which would most match what I am after is the "Atlantic Range" in Yellow. I'm going to order a pot and do a test on a small bit of scrap wood to see how it comes out.

Now this is the big question, how do I apply it? you said just glue it to the plastered surface, is there a special glue I need to be using to keep hold of the sand.

Should I also wet the sand during the drying process with the mist from a spray gun as I have seen suggested? what are the benefits from this.

Sorry about all the questions but this is my first scratch build and I've got a big learning curve to conquer!

Alex

Hi All,

Thank you very much for the replies, you've all been most helpful. From what I've seen builders sand is just the wrong colour so I'm going to rule out trade places for now.

The Warhammer idea was great and I actually have a friend who is rather into his warhammer modelling, I just gave him a quick call and he says yes they do have sand, however its about £5.99 for a smallish tub, which could make it a bit cost-prohibitive.

I also feel a bit like a total idiot at this point because I know exactly the colour sand I want, and I've been racking my brain for days trying to think where I've seen it, until I realised it was staring me in the face......... Its in my fishtank, you know, the big 380 gallon one that you can't miss in the corner over there.

However, to my defence, this is seriously expensive stuff, it cost me £60 just to put a layer on the bottom of the fishtank.

What I'm going to do is take some out of the tank spread it out on the board and work out how much it would cost me to do it in fishtank sand. Then I'll go compare it with some stuff from the craftshop.

In Brighton on the pier there is actually one of those stands that does the "Crazy Sand" you know where you put coloured sand in a bottle to make patterns? I'll go see how much theirs is and see which works out cheapest.

We still haven't had a decision on if I should use a dropper/spraygun to wet the sand, it seems there's a 50/50 split. What are the benefits, and reasons, for wetting?

Thank you all so much, the help really is appreciated!

I'll certainly keep you posted as I go along.

Alex

QUOTE The plan for this setup is to recreate a WW2 desert airfield in africa

might be an idea to actually get a good look at the real thing?

is 'sand' really going to be what is wanted?

Or would it be rock and scrub?

[don't recall much 'sand' sand around Tobruk when I dropped by back in late 60's?]

I be inclined to take a look at the US model railroad scene...there are numerous excellent books on scenery construction....check out the Walthers website?
Because, desert railroading, especially narrow gauge, is a popular US subject.

I feel the issue will be colouring, and texture?

[years ago, I built a little OOn9 layout, based on railways in German South West Africa [Namibia]...to run a ''Zwillinger'' back-to-back loco I had built........bit of a snakes and ladders layout..didn't survive....lots of nude rock landscape...emulsion paint over plaster, with talc sprinkled on....smelt nice too!]]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 1 Nov 2007, 23:08) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Or would it be rock and scrub?

[don't recall much 'sand' sand around Tobruk when I dropped by back in late 60's?]

Because, desert railroading, especially narrow gauge, is a popular US subject.

I feel the issue will be colouring, and texture?

[years ago, I built a little OOn9 layout, based on railways in German South West Africa [Namibia]...to run a ''Zwillinger'' back-to-back loco I had built........bit of a snakes and ladders layout..didn't survive....lots of nude rock landscape...emulsion paint over plaster, with talc sprinkled on....smelt nice too!]]

Chinchilla sand sounds interesting as it is particularly fine. The areas which had railway tracks were more likely to be built on rockier ground as were many of the areas where combat took place. Only lighter vehicles could operate well in the deep sand areas. A bit like a Martian landscape in some ways? - Now theres a thought! I once read a SF short story (ethical engineers?) about a railway system built on the only stable areas of land - extinct volcanos and powered i think by fermentation and one about a desert planet which had to build underground 'The Subways of Tazoo'.
Back to the proper subject; Textured masonry paint is available in a suitable base colour and other water based paints can be used to add tints etc.

David