I am re-doing a portion of my layout in order to improve several things and I needed two new tunnel ports. In the past I have bought the cast-plaster ones at my LHS, but this time I decided to make my own. They turned out well, but the epoxy putty I used cost about half as much as cast-plaster portals would have, and is terribly messy and difficult to get off my hands afterward. Not sure I would do it again, but it is done this time and looks good.
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Nice job Lee.
I did something similar but instead of putty used some really old dry-wall patching compound that I was about to throw away. The stuff was so old that I couldn't draw in bricks so I left it a rough-hewn stone-like surface which looks OK but will try it again with fresh product.
I like your idea of adding trim pieces for more depth.
Looks nice. Hydrocal or drywall joint compound would probably be a little easier to work with. FWIW, they should be extremely durable.
Gilly
They look great. I had to make my own due to the fact I couldn't find any in the size I needed. I used 3/4"cabinet grade plywood to make them.
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It looks good Lee, but it looks like a lot of work. I made mine out of pink foam board. You can use a tippi to make the brick texture or what i did was use drywall shims and cut them up to give a more concrete wall appearance.
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I have made them out of hydrocal before cutting foam as a form. When the hydrocal is hard enough to remove but still wet, they can be pulled and designs/patterns cut into them. You just have to be careful. I have also cut them from foam and used a hot knife or other tools to do the patterns. Never would have tried this route with epoxy, looks complicated. They did turn out nice though.
Lee, Yours look great. I made mine by making a mold for plaster of paris, then carving the stone blocks. The plaster paints well. Fred
Lee, they look great - very realistic.