"DAS clay walls" Topic

I have a block of this air-drying clay with the intention of making up some walls for 20mm modern Middle-East games such as Fallujah in the Second Gulf War.

I am hoping that I can simply cut slices the required size from the block, without having to do much moulding. Any suggestions on how to cut nice clean slices: perhaps a heated wire?

Air drying clay shrinks when drying and is quite fragile.

I would use blue/pink foam cut with a sharp model knife or foamboard cut with a Stanley knife.

Yea, the above suggested foam, or even thin, paper-lined, foam-core (posterboard) would work well.

Some like the remove the paper backing, and others just leave it on.

You can get it at the dollar store, and you don't have to worry about matching thicknesses. Cut with a box cutter, or X-Acto knife.

Cut it with a wire to get slices or, easier, take a clump and put it on greaseproof paper, another layer of greaseproof paper on top and roll flat with a rolling pin. Cut out the shape from the now flattened lump. As has been said, it does shrink and crack so I´d attach it with doublesided tape to Card..it works, honest. It´s how the houses for Cröburn were made
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Thanks for the tips.

I prefer oven baked clay, finer detail and more rigid

Cheer
Matt
Hercé Salon de Guerre

I would use blue/pink foam cut with a sharp model knife or foamboard cut with a Stanley knife.

I would use dense XPS insulation foam and cut wih a Proxxon for better control if you have one. Use a very sharp boxcutter type knife otherwise.

Before you glue your pieces together texture/distress your pieces. Roll up some aluminum foil into a ball and roll over all the exposed surfaces. This gives a natural surface as the foam looks too smooth. Also takes down unnatural looking cut edges. Once glued (and fully hardened, I use Aileens Tacky) you can gently texture some more. Some judicious texturing with a sharp stone or rock can give some battle damage.

One textured and fully assembled, paint a light coat of black paint mixed with Mod Podge. This will seal the building, makes a hard protective crust and effectively primes the structure for painting. Don't blob it on or you'll lose your nice texturing.

This gets you a strong yet light weight terrain piece.

DAS is great for other applications. All materials have some limitations and failings. I think foam insulation works best for your situation above. Use the DAS for other things.