"Multiple trees on 1 base using Durham's Wood putty" Topic

I'm making larger bases using Durham's wood putty (this stuff is amazing by the way) texturing it with filler/spackle.

How would you more experienced folks put on your trees (talking like 8-10 trees here….15mm games)?

I'm not sure how well Durham's holds up to drilling small holes, but I was thinking of painting/flocking the base and then adding the trees in afterwards?

It's painfully difficult putting in the trees first and then painting/flocking bases.

I was using Woodland Scenics armatures, but I'm not liking them that much. So, instead, I got some 30 gauge craft wire and folding them over and making branches with them. I use masking tape to simulate the trunks (painting them brown).

Using Coconut fibers overlaying the wire trees, hairspray then flock and they are turning out nicely.

So, my question is will the Durham's take to small drill holes? and would this be the best technique to getting multiple trees on a base?

Can't say about the drilling but first question it is worth considering whether you want your trees fixed into the ground or have your trees on their own individual bases (coins or whatever) so that they can be moved around as troops enter the woodland base?

Fixed looks nice, but is less functional during play.

I always have problems with Woodland Scenic trees and end up doing a mix of hot glue gun and Copydex, then spraying with thinned PVA glue and then hair spraying when all is dry.

Have a look at the new trees that 4Ground are doing (I presume they are on the website). they are not cheep, so I just pick up a base at each sho I attend, but the ready flocked armatures seem fairly robust and the basing system is interesting.

Yes you can easily drill into Durhams. It won't crack or chip.
Try mixing in your earth color to the putty. This way if you damage it, the white won't show through.

I use Durhams wood putty for lots of stuff. Very light weight when it drys too.

norm

You've got me thinking about that. I'm going to go with 1-2 trees per base. Think it offers more flexibility and easier to make.

Thanks for the comments folks.

Yes, love this stuff. It's so damn sturdy (and cheap!)

36mm round wood disc 3mm thick set of 10 $2 USD USD Free postage
These are real nice for basing trees etc they are varnished so when you paint them they don't wrap.
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rtandjt AT pacbell DOT net

Frequently, the material will say right on the back of the box if it can be drilled, sanded, etc..

I'm probably too late for the OP, but this might help someone else.

Standard plastic model cement (the type that "welds" plastic by softening it during curing) works on Woodland Scenics armatures. It permanently glues the bases to the trunk armatures, and I use it to glue the assembled armatures in trios to triangles of styrene sheet. Triangles are nice and stable, easily decorated with standard basing materials, and add trees to a forest 3 at a time (saving time assembling the table).

- Ix