Bases

Post by **Lynn** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:32 pm

I am looking for some pointers on making the bases. I have tried layering the corrugated cardboard, alternating the direction of the flutes, using a thin layer of Elmer’s glue between each piece, and then adding the cardboard trim along the edges. So far so good, but after it is primed, and painted it warps on me. I got so desperate I tried ½ inch foam board but this warps as well… Thanks

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 11:14 pm

This is Howard's approach.

http://littleglitterhouses.com/paul/bases/hl_bases.htm

This is the way Tom repairs a crushed base, but it seems like you could make a new one this way, too:

http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/papat ... hbase.html

To me, warping is usually a result of too much moisture. I'm wondering if the glue between the layers has dried completely before you add the trim? Or else might you try two or three light coats of paint instead of one good one?

Sorry, just thinking of all my mistakes over the years and wondering if you'd stumbled on any of those yourself.

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 11:16 pm

Also, here's Tom's article on making a base from scratch. Couldn't find it earlier.

http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/papat ... ratch.html

Tom's approach is probably closer to the original, but Howard's is sturdier.

Best of luck,

Paul

Post by **Howard** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 6:21 am

lynn...sorry you are having trouble with bases...paul is correct...moisture in the glue is the problem...

here is my suggestion if you use the laminated cardboard method...

laminate the corrugated cardboard like you have been doing...alternating the direction of the flutes...

use aleen's original tacky glue...weigh the glued up base down with a heavy stack or books or cans of food...

make sure there is good contact between the layers of cardboard and glue...

let the stack dry completely...at least overnight...or longer...

if you use regular white glue that is thinner i would let it dry for a lot longer...

i also suggest you use a glue stick to apply the paper cover wrap and not white glue...

the brand i like best is the elmer's...the "disappearing purple" stuff...

i also use the traditional method tom hull shared with us on ted's site...especially for small houses...

and am very pleased with the results...follow the steps tom outlines...especially the internal braces...

if i'm going to glue a tree in the base...

i add a chunk of laminated cardboard the thickness of the base where the hole will be for support...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **BrianB** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:00 pm

I use Tom's traditional method as well when I make my houses for the most part, and I get a little warping but it usually seems to straighten out after the paint dries.
I use the same purple glue stick that Howard was describing to wrap the paper too. I usually do two coats of primer and I use the Rustoleum brand that is suppose to be like 2 coats in one, but I still hit it twice. It really seems to seal up the cardboard well.
I also noticed the type of acrylic paint I use seems to help keep warping down. I mainly use Apple Barrel, it seems to not be as runny, I like Folk Art too. I have some Dreamcoat brand, but it is a very watery acrylic even when shaken very well, so I don't like to paint big areas of the houses with it, but it is good for tinting the other paints.

Post by **Lynn** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 6:28 pm

Thanks everyone for sharing all your tried and true methods for making a good base. I am going to change my glue to Aileen’s letting it dry overnight and also change my paint brand using thin coats. I also want to give Tom’s method a try. With all this good advice I can’t go wrong!

Post by **PutzinVT** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 7:33 pm

Here's a method too.

http://christmasnotebook.com/2012/02/29 ... use-bases/

Post by **maria** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:46 pm

I know this is going to sound like sacrilege but after having more than one base warp, I now use the thin wooden plaques--which come in rectangles, squares, circles, ovals and octagons, from Walmart.

Post by **paulrace** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:26 pm

Good suggestion, Maria. Do you wrap them in paper?

Post by **Lynn** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:56 am

Hey Maria no worse than me using the foam board, it sure is easy enough, I even have the foam cutters that make it a snap to cut out, I would keep using if I didn’t have the same warping problem.
I like the idea of filling the "box" type base with the cardboard.
What is the reasoning behind covering the base with the paper?