"Cross Stitch Plastic Canvas: Scifi Grating and Flooring?" Topic

PLEASE, don't ask me how I discovered this, but it seems to work great:

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CC
PS. I have even used it for reinforcing latex moulds!

That's disgusting! You should be crucified for promoting such filth.

Alternatively, it's actually exactly what I've been looking for. How does it take paint?

LOL.

Prime it with Krylon Fusion plastic primer, and you are good to go!

CC

Thank you :)

Sorry to always end up dishing out all this "trash". I must be "sick", "seriously disturbed", "obsessed" and in need of "a healthier life style". :)

CC

I thought of cross-posting (cross-posting about cross-stitch?) to pirates and renaissance, but they might not appreciate such a degenerate suggestion for dungeon or ship grating.

CC

Hey CC, check out…

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I used that for my Airship project for Historicon.

Rich

That's exactly it!!!

But it is called "cross stitch plastic canvas" for those who want to google it or purchase it online.

CC

You can also prime it with white glue/pva if you dont have any of that wonderful plastic primer. :-)

A quick trip to the craft store will show that it is also available in hexagonal and other shapes, ideal for landing pads and other interesting configurations.

CC

I tried using it a while ago (my wife does cross stitch) but I couldn't get glue to stick it. Has anybody actually tried this? If so what sort of glue did you use?

I've been using that a bit as well.

Thicker plastic screening with a slightly larger hole (Or smaller holed cross-stick plastic) works miracles to

If you create a little "Window" shape out of card-stock (Think a square, with 4 squares cut out of it leaving a cross pattern in the middle) – you can glue that on top of the plastic. Then add rivits and Robert is Your Father's Brother.

we used it as a flooring cover over EL sheet to illuminate the floor of the SST bunker we made for Mongoose.

It's "Proper" name (in the UK) is "Vinyl Weave" you can get it form here as well as other palces: link

In the US its often called "granny grating". COmes in various mesh sizes, takes primer and paints up fine. Can be melted to look like acid-burns or weapons damage.
Also works well as a ceiling material.

You can get thicker rigid forms also, suitable for larger floorings such as hangar decks, landing pads and so forth, Useful stuff but with some limitations. Cheap though, so handy.

I used it to make hedgerows. Cut it in strips, Glued them to a mound of shaped blue board. Painted the whole thing brown and glued different types of flock to it. I've been toying with the idea of taping off sections, so I can drybrush windows onto my 6mm sci-fi buildings. My friend has used it for grating on the floors of his modular spaceship tiles.

Many wonderful uses.

"Granny grating"? Cool.

CC

Actually, once upon a time it was mentioned here at TMP, I looked fer it and now it's the only thing I use for my Space Hulk games.

I started using it about 10 years ago for Necromunda bridges and planks and ladders. You can find craft stores that sell it easily enough by simply searching for plastic canvas (here in the states). I bought some a few months ago from Michaels (a round one, then trimmed it down to be a blast template I could "see" through).

As was mentioned it comes in several thicknesses and grate spacing and colors.

I always just used black, so never bothered to paint it, but figured there would be issues. Nice to know that plastic plastic primer will do the trick. Always thought it would be ideal to glue on top of black cardstock, and then drybrush silver for an instand 3D grating for Space Hulk and similar games.

Cacique Caribe: So, how did you discover this?
;-)

My wife has someof this around (she mostly uses cloth, though), and it has crossed my mind for ways to use it. But I don't do SF or ships… But, someday I will find a use for it, so thanks for the tip!

I used it recently in a ruined factory model. It makes great wall panels and flooring. I stuck mine down using PVA glue, although it will take some time for the glue to cure.

I primed it with plastic coat primers and drybrushed it.

I've used the large-hole plastic mess to make window mullions for my Tudor era buildings. I use the typical foam core, and cut the mesh slightly larger than the window opening. The mesh flexes and snaps back into the opening, digging into the foam. Card or wood sash glued at the bottom edge secures the thing in place. Also used it for many of the above things like grates, ect. REAL hobby men use anything they can find! Real hobby women, too. No apologies from me! After all, how bad can it be walking to the checkout with cross stitch canvas after spending time walking through all the other areas like bridal notions, silk flowers and beads grabing scratch-building supplies?

TMP link

Here's a couple things I've made using cross-stitch fabric. Great stuff.

Javelin98,

I was just reading your thread not more than five minutes ago! Very, very nice.

CC

Have a look at this:

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Regards
Squash

Nice work Squash!

Not my work.

That hexagonal one is absolutely perfect for landing pads or other circular areas . . . and incredibly affordable.

CC

For the corrugated metal look:

TMP link

CC

For fences:

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CC

I use it for railings around my 6mm buildings.

No seriously. I do.

Wow!

CC

On the use of take-out food plastic containers:

TMP link

CC

I just thought of something . . .

Has anyone tried using spray adhesive (like Elmer's) before spraying paint and doing highlights?

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And has anyone tried Testors' Dullcote to seal it afterwards?

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Just curious. I would like to know what sort of results came out of those attempts at painting the plastic canvas.

Thanks.

CC

"Drywall Tape", that sticky cross weave (about the size grid of common porch screening is similarly useful. You can fold it upon itself at different angles and create many thatch, weave and metal grate like texture. I roll a strip around thick sharpie 3 layers thick, pull it of, trim and its a perfect gabion or basket, long strips folded and stretched make great "krall walls", and applied to a wall or floor, nice sci fi tread plate.

You can also snip pieces off to make a larger grid . In an emergency, I once stretched it and snipped most vertical strips to make the grill/vents for a 1/35 T-34.

I found that wrrapping it around a paper towel roll allows you to apply paint/spackle mix with no warping or even seaping through the cardboard. You can crank out mud huts and such fast.

I find cleaning them with soap and water, letting them dry and then using automotive primer worked really well.

What do you guys think of this?

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CC

"Drywall Tape", that sticky cross weave (about the size grid of common porch screening is similarly useful. You can fold it upon itself at different angles and create many thatch, weave and metal grate like texture.

I went out and picked up a roll. I was looking for something that I could use to make grating for 15mm sci-fi. This stuff will work. I put one layer over another so that the cross points of one layer are in the middle of the squares of the other layer. Ofcourse, by scale the holes are way too big, but they look right on the table top.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Anyone ever use office and/or kitchen drawer organizers?

Many, if turned upsidedown, look very industrial/SciFi.

Examples:

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Those with rounded bottoms can look like turbines, engine cylinders and such.

CC

If anyone wants to add a finishing touch to their foamboard corridors:

TMP link

CC

Before finishing with the plastic slides, I plan to put this on both sides of the foamboard (for greater effect):

TMP link

CC

Games Workshop seems to have discovered the many uses of what they call "Crochet Grid":

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Yes, same Space Hulk Terrain article, from 3 different sites. One of them, I hope, stays working for future reference.

CC

Just avoid that square grid looking "Sink Mat" that Target has right next to the ribbed mat stuff. Looks like great floor/even wall covering. Well, about three weeks ago, painted it and all was well, and now, if you touch it, the paint is wet? I tried dullcote, but it got worse! Damn, looks great, but can't be used :(

Smokey,

Did you end up getting a rubber mat of some sort?

CC

Another fine example of how to use the plastic canvas:

TMP link

CC

Here's the plastic canvas on bases:

TMP link

CC

I have to try this. Is it best to get it in black, in case it chips?

Another twist in the search for compatible materials:

TMP link

CC

Here are some samples for cutting and using the material for basing:

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CC

Annerios has just posted some nice photos here:

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CC

I forgot to mention this . . .

I also got a set of 3 big sprues of pipes for my SF corridors:

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The set cost me a simple $9.99, again from a local model railroad store.

CC
PS. Can you tell I'm staying in a hotel? I didn't have enough copy paper to provide a decent backdrop for the photos.