[Kellerkind]

Hello freaks of scenery,

a time ago I experimented with some natural goods to get some cheap bales of straw in 1:32 for scenery use. I wasnt too happy with my past bales as they worn fast in contact with crashing cars and they rapidly left their parts everywhere on the track without looking fine anymore. Some time later I found the following idea on the web (dont know if it was here but anyway: Thanks for the idea to whom it may concern).
Well, in combination with my new track I took up the idea again and here is the result: The bales are made from a small wooden block, covered with glue, turned around in some little parts (1-3mm) of a cut sisal-rope and finished by wrapping with a blue-colored copperwire (0.1mm). Their production takes some time, but I threw them on the floor several times and they seem to be very robust...

Have fun,
Regards Jens

 

[Ade]

hi
great idea Jens and thanks for sharing. I just happen to have some 20x20 pse in the garage.

 

[gokartride]

Looks great...I think I'll give it a try next time I need some hay bales!!! It's funny, right now I have two types of hay bales on my track, each type made via entirely diffferent methods and materials. They are painted-up the same, though, and so look almost exactly alike, even side by side. I see no reason not to add a third construction method.

 

[stoooo]

Those look fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

 

[doncatwalker]

These look great but how, how, how did you get them looking so neat? They actually look like straw bales!!

A few weeks ago, I used exactly the same methods you described (I'm not sure - was it originally rallyhub's idea?) but I used small blocks of polystyrene instead of wood. This is where the similarity ends

. When I applied the glue and rolled the block in the cut sisal, it came out looking like a big hairy blob! When I tried to smooth it down and tidy up the edges, I ended up with hairy fingers and bald bales

I got so frustrated, the unfinished project is still sitting in a plastic bag at the bottom of my "scenery project box". I've not had the will to go back to it, so I'd love to learn your secret.

Thanks

Don

 

[Kellerkind]

Thank you all for the positive feedback!

@doncatwalker: The "secret" is the glue. I had the same problem in my first attemt, too. I used "Pattex" first, a glue that is very common in Germany to glue something onto anything. Didnt work at all. Result is best when using the good old classic white woodglue. Apply in a relatively thick layer, then press the bale into the sisal gently, one side after the other. When glue started to dry a bit, form gently with the fingers...Thats all.

Good luck for your next try! Regards Jens

 

[HAPPY]

A very good idea

 

[rallyhub]

Hi all,

Great to see the idea have been copied with success.
That is the power of SlotForum.

(In the German slot car magazine "Car-On-Line" May issue 2007, no. 93 on page74, I discriped also the process of making straw bales for the Trio Track.)

rallyhub

The straw bales on the Trio Track, made from wooden blocks, covered with pieces of sisal rope.
I used white woodglue and also some sewing yarn.

 

[Kellerkind]

Hello rallyhub, it was your great idea! I didnt remember who brougt it up as I seen it a longer time ago, sorry! Thank you for this idea, as it is a real great one. The bales really look extremely realistic and seem to be very durable. I love them! Regards Jens

 

[rallyhub]

Hi Jens,

I always enjoy your scenery work.
Keep the pictures coming, please.

rallyhub

 

[gokartride]

I liked this method so much I got rid of all my older hay bales. After finishing, I also dab on another coat of diluted white glue just to make double sure everything stays put in case of a crash.

 

[JasonVizor]

Thanks Jens, Rallyhub, for a most excellent little project. I had a go myself on the weekend, I've yet to add the wire ties, but am happy they look a lot more like hay bales than the plastic ones I had. Kindest Regards Jason

 

[rallyhub]

Hi jason,

They look already very nice.

rallyhub

 

[Kellerkind]

Cool job, nice looks, Regards Jens