Embossed Brick Paper sheets, Have you tried them?

I've used them on some of my HO projects, primarily for retaining walls or bridge piers.  They have some embossed detail and texture which is fine for the smaller scales... not sure how they would stack up for O

I did- they were from Starboc- a vendor in Greece.  His service was surprisingly fast-about 2 weeks, and the product is not embossed paper- what I received was vinyl WALLPAPER, printed, and three dimensional. 

The e-Bay ad shows !6 sheets- but that is a typo- it is 16 sheets of two arches each, for $ 5.90 w/ free shipping.  

It cuts using a scissors, and I used spray adhesive (3M) to attach to wood, then weathered using a alcohol/India ink mix.  I used for a wall, plus for several tunnel entries (cut out the center arch).

e-Bay product no:   copy and paste into the e-Bay search line:

392238636577

I noticed the thread from yesterday had disappeared.

I purchased embossed brick sheets from the same vendor in Greece as Mike.  And I will concur with his comments concerning speedy delivery.

I used my brick sheets to create a brick station platform similar to what I remembered seeing as a kid at my hometown PRR station.  I was amazed at the texture of the product and will note it did not lose the texture as I ran a roller over it to seat it properly.  

In short; I would recommend the product.

Curt

Thank you Mike and Curt, for your replies.  The original post was deleted by the forum as I inadvertently listed the Ebay link.  The reviews were negative on the product for the stone walls.  Inside a tunnel wall most likely is Okay.  But I was looking for some real embossed stone paper, to replace a raised paper wall I now have.  I did purchase real stone walls from Athern, trouble is they are a little too thick for where I need them.  I will most likely have to re-work the entire scene to get it the way I want.

Again, thank you Gentlemen for your input.  Much appreciated'.. BTW Curt, `nice station'..

I'm another one who purchased sheets from the vendor in Greece.  I would give them a thumbs up for service and quality of material.

I have used several, embossed and not, stone, brick, and shingle, as what was available, from different sources, but generally have been underwhelmed. Have not used that from Greece, though.

I have used the "Vollmer" sheets which I think are made in Germany.    They have a number of brick and stone sections and they have some relief.    You can feel the individual bricks or stones slight raised from the joints between them.     I like them and think they work quite well.     I have also used ones I printed from Evans Designs Modelbuilder software in HO and liked them also.    Evans designs lets you choose the scale to print in.

Scenic express also has brick and stone sheets that are actually thin foam, instead of paper that I have used and they look very real as they have recessed mortar joints and texture.

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Thank you Mike and Curt, for your replies.  The original post was deleted by the forum as I inadvertently listed the Ebay link.  The reviews were negative on the product for the stone walls.  Inside a tunnel wall most likely is Okay.  But I was looking for some real embossed stone paper, to replace a raised paper wall I now have.  I did purchase real stone walls from Athern, trouble is they are a little too thick for where I need them.  I will most likely have to re-work the entire scene to get it the way I want.

Again, thank you Gentlemen for your input.  Much appreciated'.. BTW Curt, `nice station'..

Micromart has your embossed sheets.

I used the Clever Models site for my brick paper, using my printer to print the brick paper.

I prefer hand-made brick walls (except for modern buildings). The resulting insanity is only temporary.

I usually make them double-size. Not to scale, but it is more practical for hand work and I think it looks better.

SandJam posted:

Scenic express also has brick and stone sheets that are actually thin foam, instead of paper that I have used and they look very real as they have recessed mortar joints and texture.

I've used these, too.  Very satisfactory and I'll use them again.  Right now I'm using them to add "brick" facades to Plasticville motel units and ends, leaving the back and some rear-facing ends in stucco.

Micro Mark sells a nice brick. I've been using them on my Korber buildings.

Hi posters, and thank you for your input.  Here is the wall I want to replace.  The current random stone is the raised sheets from  Heiki, Scenic Express.  All other manufactured papers are very similar to these sheets.  I can't use the thicker Scenic Express brick walls as they are too thick for this spot.  I have those, as well as the foam ones also and have used them in other areas.  I don't want bricks for this spot, I should have installed the foam sheets in the first place.  I thought the raised paper would suffice, but it doesn't .  I only have enough room in between the sidewalk and the wall, without changing the entire scene.  So, I thought the embossed sheets would be a good fit.  I may go with "Chooch rubber stone walls, as they are much thinner then the foam.  But I have used them for other projects, and aren't really crazy about the results.  I'll figure out something.   

I have used them.   First I ordered the Brick which is very close to O scale and it is printed on the 1 MM thick embossed Wall Paper stock....  I used to scratchbuild a large Ice and Storage warehouse,  I was very impressed....   

My 2nd order was what you have pictured at the top of this post, and I apparently made a mistake ordering and got the "vinyl"  nice stone graphics but smooth...   I am pretty sure it was my fault as I should not have ordered the material with pre applied adhesive, that's the smooth stuff. 

if you want the textured sheet, you have to find an auction that specifically says printed on Embossed Bumpy 1 MM Wall paper....   I am pretty sure all the self adhesive products are smooth and have the adhesive with the release paper on the back.    

You really have to read his listings carefully and make sure you are getting the Embossed Bumpy texture, if that's what you want.   If I order again,  I much prefer the embossed bumpy textured stock.

It took me a while to get both my orders by mail, and there is no "tracking info" even if your given a number, he ships in an envelope with a bunch of Greek Stamps on the front side.   

Another possible option?  Don't know what  tools you have available but faced with a similar situation I have cut scenic express 1/2" thick wall removing all but a thin section leaving  about 1/8" thick. Carefully done on a power saw it is possible to have all fingers remain attached to the hand after the cut is made. You could also hand cut and file smooth.

Chris A, that is an excellent scratch built facility'.  The bricks do have a nice relief effect to them.  Now did the block stone have the same type of relief to them or were they more like the smooth sheets.  If the block sheet has at least some bump, I would be happy with the results'...Thank you Chris, for your report'. I really appreciate hearing from you'.

Jackiejr, Thanks for the possible option but that won't work for me. I have a table saw, but haven't used it in over 25 years'..Not even sure it will still run'. I bought it when I was working on projects in the house I bought 29 years back...

I think when it warms up a bit, I 'll see if it still runs and sell it'....Good idea though',  Thanks'..

Quarter Gauger 48:   I mistakenly ordered the WRONG ones with the "self adhesive" back,  they are smooth.   I went to his current listings and found what I believe to be the TEXTURED one.   I don't think I am allowed to put a live ebay auction link in an OGR post:   

So here is the item TITLE and description from the seller (Starboc1 from Greece)  This should be what you are looking for as it is the same wallpaper stock that my brick  is printed  - --  1 mm thick Italian Wallpaper and should have physical relief and texture in it.    

Item Title:    ! 6 SHEETS EMBOSSED BUMPY BRICK stone wall 21x29cm SCALE O scale CODE vg667y

Item Description:  

YOU have the feeling of real stone..6  SHEETS  BRICK wall 21x29cm  O   SCALE EMBOSSED BUMPY

YOU WILL GET 6 SHEETS  

I hear you Quarter Guager 49.   Just want to clarify, I was talking more like a scroll saw or band saw. A lot safer!  Good Luck.

Another option is to make individual stones out of very thin slices of pink foam. They can be individually glued to foam core. I have never done this with random stone, but I have done it with cut stone: 

chris a posted:

Quarter Gauger 48:   I mistakenly ordered the WRONG ones with the "self adhesive" back,  they are smooth.   I went to his current listings and found what I believe to be the TEXTURED one.   I don't think I am allowed to put a live ebay auction link in an OGR post:   

So here is the item TITLE and description from the seller (Starboc1 from Greece)  This should be what you are looking for as it is the same wallpaper stock that my brick  is printed  - --  1 mm thick Italian Wallpaper and should have physical relief and texture in it.    

Item Title:    ! 6 SHEETS EMBOSSED BUMPY BRICK stone wall 21x29cm SCALE O scale CODE vg667y

Item Description:  

YOU have the feeling of real stone..6  SHEETS  BRICK wall 21x29cm  O   SCALE EMBOSSED BUMPY

each sheet 21cm x29cm

Professionally printed on a high end digital press. The color and quality of these  sheets is exceptional.

YOU WILL GET 6 SHEETS  

MADE OF  NEW SPECIAL DESIGN , 1 MM  ITALIAN WALLPAPER  CARDBOARD TEXTURE BUMPY 

Thanks Chris'.  your efforts are appreciated'... I have placed the order'...

Avanti posted:

Another option is to make individual stones out of very thin slices of pink foam. They can be individually glued to foam core. I have never done this with random stone, but I have done it with cut stone: 

Thanks very much Pete'.  Great idea.  How did you cut the foam thin and then the  stone to size,  That wall looks pretty good........ I would like to give it a try'...

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Thanks very much Pete'.  Great idea.  How did you cut the foam thin and then the  stone to size,  That wall looks pretty good........ I would like to give it a try'...

I first cut a "stick" of foam the correct width and height of the stones. I then sliced thin individual stones using a single-edge razor blade. It would be a bit harder with random stones, but should be doable.

If you have the room for a full 1/2" piece of foam, it is also possible to carve  and paint very convincing stones. Here's an example:

The base of the sign is a single piece of foam, carved with a manicure tool.  (the wall in the back is real stone glued together).

Interesting topic...I tried to see how just printing (free and readily available) images off the Internet would look. So, here are a couple of test pictures:

I hope to retire in a few years and incorporate these ideas into a new layout. 

Tom 

Avanti posted:

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Thanks very much Pete'.  Great idea.  How did you cut the foam thin and then the  stone to size,  That wall looks pretty good........ I would like to give it a try'...

I first cut a "stick" of foam the correct width and height of the stones. I then sliced thin individual stones using a single-edge razor blade. It would be a bit harder with random stones, but should be doable.

If you have the room for a full 1/2" piece of foam, it is also possible to carve  and paint very convincing stones. Here's an example:

The base of the sign is a single piece of foam, carved with a manicure tool.  (the wall in the back is real stone glued together).

Pete - really nice foam work. What kind of manicure tool did you use?

Sean007 posted:

Pete - really nice foam work. What kind of manicure tool did you use?

You can get a little manicure set at the Dollar Store (at the eponymous price). It contains four or five tools. They are nice for embossing because they come in different shapes and none of them are too sharp.

Nice work Pete'... Cutting a stick of foam makes sense and then go from there making blocks.... Thanks for these wonderful tips'.  It's nice to learn new tricks in making accessories for the layout'.......

MNCW posted:

Interesting topic...I tried to see how just printing (free and readily available) images off the Internet would look. So, here are a couple of test pictures:

I hope to retire in a few years and incorporate these ideas into a new layout. 

Tom 

Tom, don't wait for retirement'... Start now.... get a head start'...Those prints look pretty good for background use'........

Pete, (Avanti),  I decided to try your method, not for the spot I need to rework but as an experiment.  I took a regular Styrofoam sheet and cut a strip, and then blocks for quarry stone wall.  Glue on to a thin piece of chip board, painted and weathered with acrylics.  Let me know what you think'..

Thanks again for the great idea'..   Showing the process for those that may want to try Styrofoam for  stone blocks.  

I've used the Vollmer cut stone sheet around a Styrofoam base for a homemade passenger platform.  I like it.  Over time the glue I used let me down but that's an easy fix on an accessible platform.

Cutting individual blocks out of foam takes more patience than I have.  QG 48's Styrofoam workmanship is excellent and works well at a distance but the material doesn't hold up to close ups like the 5th picture.  B who's ever getting that close to it anyway?

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Pete, (Avanti),  I decided to try your method, not for the spot I need to rework but as an experiment.  I took a regular Styrofoam sheet and cut a strip, and then blocks for quarry stone wall.  Glue on to a thin piece of chip board, painted and weathered with acrylics.  Let me know what you think'..

Thanks again for the great idea'..   Showing the process for those that may want to try Styrofoam for  stone blocks.   

 

 

I think it looks great, given that you were working with styrofoam.

That said, when I said "foam", I was talking about the pink or blue insulation foam you can buy by the sheet at Home Depot. It is much less friable than styrofoam (less messy, too), and it will take an embossing much better as well. I think if you repeat your experiment with that material, you will be very pleased.

Okay Pete, thanks very much'.  Actually, I have used Styrofoam quite a bit for stone and cement foundations and piers.  I like the look of the imperfections and indentations in the foam.  I think it does look like cement, stone.  I will try the green foam as I have plenty of it.  I find it a little difficult to cut.  I haven't tried embossing it.  But I will....