Glad to be back catching up no matter length of time away, life gets busy as we all know. Great info on single sandbags & placement ones. Don’t worry about camera work, it all worked out. Cheers
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for, step by step with great explanation and easy to understand as I'm only just starting making terrain (collecting 40k for 9 years already) Great work and fantastic channel :)
Trying to figure out ways to include sand bags on some kit bashed Heavy Weapons teams for my IG. You're a literal hobby hero breh. I know this video is ages old, but it has helped me greatly. Thanks for doing what you do.
Mel, yet another brilliant video with excellent ideas, I just need to find the video where you hopefully show how you made this brilliant ruins... I'm gobsmacked :-)
Hi Mel what great work you do pleased to be a patron of your channel now :).I'm going to try building a board for the siege of Vraks expansion and your channel will be very helpful in making it. Have you considered adverts and merchandise I'm sure a few of your other patrons would buy a terrain tutor tee shirt.keep believing positive thoughts oh terrain god haha :P
+Matty Mc Awesome sauce mate, excellent idea for a board, I always wanted to do Vraks, the maps FW do are great! always avoided merchandise because it's always seemed a bit big headed mate
Makes me wish I had some silicone shaper tools. "I'm going to have to get a better camera." - watch out. You end up heading down the gear hording path. It's a dangerous spiral. ;) Nice tutorial. I love the bulk sand bag emplacement build. Fast, uniform, realistic. Great. :) For the close ups, I might try moving the lights off center along with the camera, and you work from the other side. Camera/Light on left, you on right. Then you won't cast shadows on it as much. The risk is that your hand will block it more often. Hmm.. I'm not sure about it though since your using an iPhone. It doesn't have a zoom I suspect (or not a great one) so your are limited to keeping it close. If you could push it back, you could raise it up a bit and peek over your hand. If this isn't possible, give me some idea of the camera workings, and maybe I could suggest something else. Ahh... Camera angles. Still working on that myself. ;)
***** Seriously, you don't have any clay shapers? I use Royal Sovereign black tips, don't bother with the white tips, they're too soft for miniature/terrain work, if you can't get hold of any (I'm sure you must have them in the US), let me know and I'll send you some mate. Just don't use them with filler (spackle?) or milliput, they don't mix well.I seriously need to sort a decent setup, not an expensive one, just one that I can control and standardise. The main issue I'm having is that both my webcam and iphone automatically control wb/exposure/gain etc and so the colour/quality vary from video to video and it really annoys me. Thanks mate, unluckily I've had extensive time to study various sandbag build techniques employed by the Royal Engineers. If you think that was fast for emplacement builds, I've got a video coming that'll blow your socks off ;-)On the lighting, I'm only working from one direct source but it's on a flexistand with a suction cup so I can move it to any position as I have a large whiteboard mounted directly, so I'll try offsetting it to my right as I'm left handed. My webcam and iphone are also on flexistands with suction cups (yes they fall occasionally, well they fell, I jump lol), so lots of angles are possible it's just a real challenge to balance lights, camera and me trying to show people what I'm actually doing. The iphone has a bloody good camera and the latest update includes a function to zoom video so I think I'm going to have to install it and have a play. I might email you when I figure out what exactly what I've got to work with. Let me know how you get on with the clay shapers mate :-)
TheTerrainTutor Dick Blick art supplies sells the Royal Sovereign clay shapers in the states, for just under $30 for a set. Amazon sells a more inexpensive brand under "color shapers". I have no idea whether firm clay shapers are the same as firm color shapers, though I suspect they're similar. Another great tutorial Mel. I think your process standardizes the ordeal of making the bags uniform! Thanks! :)
DrDeathmonger I've seen them on Dick Blick before. Just never pulled the trigger on them. I haven't had many times where I said 'I wish I had a clay shaper', but like other things I have purchased, sometimes it sits around until it becomes the perfect tool for a job. :)
TheTerrainTutor Thanks for the heads up on the shapers. I'm going to put them in my Dick Blick list to buy. :) On the lighting, it occurs to me that it might be easiest to just add another light on the opposite side. Then no matter which side you work from it should be lit. On the camera, I'm sympathetic on the auto exposure/color. That was the one thing I really disliked with the Sony Bloggie. If I had the cash, I would replace it with another DSL for the close up views, but I have way, way too many other things in the queue to buy first. ;) I must say that I have been really impressed with iPhone cameras. I can't believe the quality they produce from such a small lens. They have adapters to mount them to tripods. Of course, you need a tripod. ;) Here is a commercial one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008VI7ORA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0052G679K&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0J1SQWP05XEHBEEARGDY Here is a DIY version: DIY iPhone, Smartphone Tripod Mount For Under $1 And for a tripod, I just picked up a Gorrilapod and I love it. It might be the perfect desktop tripod and looking, I just saw one that comes with a camera mount!?! www.amazon.com/Gorillapod-Flexible-Charcoal-Compact-Smartphones/dp/B00L4J78LA/ref=sr_1_15?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1411746669&sr=1-15&keywords=gorillapod :)
this is a good video, thanks for doing it first of all. A couple of questions though, what scale would these be in. I am assuming the sort of standard war gaming, 1:72/28mm I want to do mine 1:35. So that would be nearly double if my assumption is correct. Cheers. Oh actually while I have got you, I understood the thickness depth whatever but not the length of the bags, so could you tell me what that is please.
thanks, I have just realised a mistake I made though. Since the games workshop figures are heroic scale, they are more like 1:48. At least that's what scale other things would need to be to match them. That makes the maths I need to do a bit trickier LOL
Thanks for this, Mel. I've been making sandbags with leftover GS and Milliput and, to be frank, every one I've made has been rubbish. I'll try summat like this next time.
Another excellent tutorial Mel- tyvm :) The measurement lines are a fantastic idea to keep them uniform- bravo! :)I have a little request for you- hope you don't mind me asking- but I have watched several 'Barbed Wire' how to tutorials and after trying them out they just don't look right- way too big- even after trying various gauges of wire- have you got any tips or techniques that you could share with us? Thanks for the upload matey- great stuff.
Thats not a problem matey, I have been fiddling about myself (hey get your mind out the gutter!! lol :D )and have found that using thinner gauged wire (.20mm or 32AWG) and twisting two or three lengths together (preferably with a drill) once you have them all twisted together simply tie knots at regular intervals to represent the barbs- looks pretty convincing and a lot better than the oversized barbs demonstrated on many of the tutorials out there. Errr just realised it was me who wanted to know not you lol- well there you go for future reference. Just about to watch your new upload - cheers matey :)
Greg Bradfield ~To be honest, I've never had a problem with it curing as long as the packets sealed but I'll keep that in mind in case I start having problems, thanks for the tip mate.
If you lament your template add a bit of Vaseline be a good surface to work off and you could keep your template pretty much 4 ever and ever,will add some sand bags to some builds i am doing will watch this all the way when i am closer to doing it.
SolventAbuseUk That's a bloody good idea, I could do a set of different scales for different projects. Sandbags on the Afghan build would be awesome, go for internal seams as they have the posh ones over there. Can't wait to see you take, your Das skills are way better than mine, outstanding brickwork, I'll be watching your vid this weekend ;-D
wait what? engineers have special measuring tools to fill their sandbags with exactly the same amounts of material? learn something every day! what i want to know though is how often they actually use this tool?
Glad to be back catching up no matter length of time away, life gets busy as we all know.
Great info on single sandbags & placement ones. Don’t worry about camera work, it all worked out. Cheers
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for, step by step with great explanation and easy to understand as I'm only just starting making terrain (collecting 40k for 9 years already) Great work and fantastic channel :)
TheTaffy2499 Awesome, glad it helped mate :-)
Excellent stuff! Best sandbag tutorial I've found on TH-cam.
Brilliant job - don't put yourself down - this is one f the best in depth video's I have seen.
Keep them coming :)
+George Ros Cheers bud, I take it you haven't seen the mass producing sandbags vid yet ;-)
When rolling out your putty USE a Wooden Block 6 to 8 inches long by 2 inches wide( 2x4 scrap!) it will roll it out Nice & Even!!
Trying to figure out ways to include sand bags on some kit bashed Heavy Weapons teams for my IG. You're a literal hobby hero breh. I know this video is ages old, but it has helped me greatly. Thanks for doing what you do.
Some more sand bags on my imperial guard heavy weapons would be awesome I really enjoy your videos man keep making them :) plz
like that you take time and show every little step. Excellent detail work. Thanks keep it up the good videos
That's what I'm here for buddy
You have come a long way. Great job!!!
***** You wouldn't believe how long lol
Mel, yet another brilliant video with excellent ideas, I just need to find the video where you hopefully show how you made this brilliant ruins... I'm gobsmacked :-)
Terry Bass Check the foamboard buildings and ruins playlist mate, it's all in there :-)
TheTerrainTutor Will do Mel, thanks again :-)
+1 for the vaseline tub!!
Great tutorial! The paper/lines for scale were a great idea, scale can be a pain to figure out. Keep up the great work :-)
Draltair0 Cheers matey, it's the little things that make these jobs simple.
Excellent tutorial Mel. Have you ever done bags for 15mm? If so what sizes did you use?
Thanks
+Rich FR Cheers mate, I haven't but around 13mm long would be about right :-)
Great tutorial Mel
***** Cheers Nick
I love this video! If I want to do this in 20mm, any gueses as to good sizes for spacing?
This really helped a lot, thanks!
Excellent tutorial pal,have I missed the one on how to paint this beautiful ruin?if not any idea on when you will
Be doing one?if ever.
Richard Smith I will be returning to finish off the ruin pretty soon mate :-)
Excellent can't wait.
Hi Mel what great work you do pleased to be a patron of your channel now :).I'm going to try building a board for the siege of Vraks expansion and your channel will be very helpful in making it.
Have you considered adverts and merchandise I'm sure a few of your other patrons would buy a terrain tutor tee shirt.keep believing positive thoughts oh terrain god haha :P
+Matty Mc Awesome sauce mate, excellent idea for a board, I always wanted to do Vraks, the maps FW do are great! always avoided merchandise because it's always seemed a bit big headed mate
Makes me wish I had some silicone shaper tools.
"I'm going to have to get a better camera." - watch out. You end up heading down the gear hording path. It's a dangerous spiral. ;)
Nice tutorial. I love the bulk sand bag emplacement build. Fast, uniform, realistic. Great. :)
For the close ups, I might try moving the lights off center along with the camera, and you work from the other side. Camera/Light on left, you on right. Then you won't cast shadows on it as much. The risk is that your hand will block it more often. Hmm.. I'm not sure about it though since your using an iPhone. It doesn't have a zoom I suspect (or not a great one) so your are limited to keeping it close. If you could push it back, you could raise it up a bit and peek over your hand. If this isn't possible, give me some idea of the camera workings, and maybe I could suggest something else. Ahh... Camera angles. Still working on that myself. ;)
***** Seriously, you don't have any clay shapers? I use Royal Sovereign black tips, don't bother with the white tips, they're too soft for miniature/terrain work, if you can't get hold of any (I'm sure you must have them in the US), let me know and I'll send you some mate. Just don't use them with filler (spackle?) or milliput, they don't mix well.I seriously need to sort a decent setup, not an expensive one, just one that I can control and standardise. The main issue I'm having is that both my webcam and iphone automatically control wb/exposure/gain etc and so the colour/quality vary from video to video and it really annoys me. Thanks mate, unluckily I've had extensive time to study various sandbag build techniques employed by the Royal Engineers. If you think that was fast for emplacement builds, I've got a video coming that'll blow your socks off ;-)On the lighting, I'm only working from one direct source but it's on a flexistand with a suction cup so I can move it to any position as I have a large whiteboard mounted directly, so I'll try offsetting it to my right as I'm left handed. My webcam and iphone are also on flexistands with suction cups (yes they fall occasionally, well they fell, I jump lol), so lots of angles are possible it's just a real challenge to balance lights, camera and me trying to show people what I'm actually doing. The iphone has a bloody good camera and the latest update includes a function to zoom video so I think I'm going to have to install it and have a play. I might email you when I figure out what exactly what I've got to work with. Let me know how you get on with the clay shapers mate :-)
TheTerrainTutor
Dick Blick art supplies sells the Royal Sovereign clay shapers in the states, for just under $30 for a set. Amazon sells a more inexpensive brand under "color shapers". I have no idea whether firm clay shapers are the same as firm color shapers, though I suspect they're similar.
Another great tutorial Mel. I think your process standardizes the ordeal of making the bags uniform! Thanks! :)
DrDeathmonger
Thanks matey
DrDeathmonger
I've seen them on Dick Blick before. Just never pulled the trigger on them. I haven't had many times where I said 'I wish I had a clay shaper', but like other things I have purchased, sometimes it sits around until it becomes the perfect tool for a job. :)
TheTerrainTutor
Thanks for the heads up on the shapers. I'm going to put them in my Dick Blick list to buy. :)
On the lighting, it occurs to me that it might be easiest to just add another light on the opposite side. Then no matter which side you work from it should be lit. On the camera, I'm sympathetic on the auto exposure/color. That was the one thing I really disliked with the Sony Bloggie. If I had the cash, I would replace it with another DSL for the close up views, but I have way, way too many other things in the queue to buy first. ;)
I must say that I have been really impressed with iPhone cameras. I can't believe the quality they produce from such a small lens. They have adapters to mount them to tripods. Of course, you need a tripod. ;)
Here is a commercial one:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008VI7ORA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0052G679K&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0J1SQWP05XEHBEEARGDY
Here is a DIY version:
DIY iPhone, Smartphone Tripod Mount For Under $1
And for a tripod, I just picked up a Gorrilapod and I love it. It might be the perfect desktop tripod and looking, I just saw one that comes with a camera mount!?!
www.amazon.com/Gorillapod-Flexible-Charcoal-Compact-Smartphones/dp/B00L4J78LA/ref=sr_1_15?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1411746669&sr=1-15&keywords=gorillapod
:)
Thanks for this tutorial mate, very interesting.
Victor Ques No worries mate, hope it's helpful!
this is a good video, thanks for doing it first of all. A couple of questions though, what scale would these be in. I am assuming the sort of standard war gaming, 1:72/28mm I want to do mine 1:35. So that would be nearly double if my assumption is correct. Cheers. Oh actually while I have got you, I understood the thickness depth whatever but not the length of the bags, so could you tell me what that is please.
I do my 28mm bags at 15mm x 8mm mate
thanks, I have just realised a mistake I made though. Since the games workshop figures are heroic scale, they are more like 1:48. At least that's what scale other things would need to be to match them. That makes the maths I need to do a bit trickier LOL
Thanks for this, Mel. I've been making sandbags with leftover GS and Milliput and, to be frank, every one I've made has been rubbish. I'll try summat like this next time.
WGRevival Give it a go mate, it's dead easy :-)
Great job dude
This video is awesome. I watched a lot of yours, and it helped a lot! What are the dimensions for the sandbags width, depth and length?
Another excellent tutorial Mel- tyvm :) The measurement lines are a fantastic idea to keep them uniform- bravo! :)I have a little request for you- hope you don't mind me asking- but I have watched several 'Barbed Wire' how to tutorials and after trying them out they just don't look right- way too big- even after trying various gauges of wire- have you got any tips or techniques that you could share with us? Thanks for the upload matey- great stuff.
shirlzknight Thanks matey. TBH, I haven't played with making barbed wire yet, I tend to just buy hobby wire mate, soz.
Thats not a problem matey, I have been fiddling about myself (hey get your mind out the gutter!! lol :D )and have found that using thinner gauged wire (.20mm or 32AWG) and twisting two or three lengths together (preferably with a drill) once you have them all twisted together simply tie knots at regular intervals to represent the barbs- looks pretty convincing and a lot better than the oversized barbs demonstrated on many of the tutorials out there. Errr just realised it was me who wanted to know not you lol- well there you go for future reference. Just about to watch your new upload - cheers matey :)
awesome tutorial
Eldrac Cheers mate
Great tutorial! Keep your DAS in a sealed bag in the refrigerator, it won't become hard.
Greg Bradfield ~To be honest, I've never had a problem with it curing as long as the packets sealed but I'll keep that in mind in case I start having problems, thanks for the tip mate.
Hey man very cool! Do you think you could ever show off a really cool terrain board that you made yourself, cause you make some of the best terrain.
joe bill Cheers mate, as soon I as I find the time to build a table for myself, I will mate ;-)
Would this scale work for bolt action?
Been holding off on buying green stuff needed some sand bags never thought to use my air dry clay (crayola brand) gonna try now :)
TribalwarsLedgend Never used crayola, let me know how you get on mate
What regiment did you serve with if you don't mind my asking mate?
Sam Brown RAMC, but mainly on attachment matey :-)
Nice one dude, cheers for the reply! Been thinking of joining the RAC for a while and it's always nice to hear from ex service members :)
If you lament your template add a bit of Vaseline be a good surface to work off and you could keep your template pretty much 4 ever and ever,will add some sand bags to some builds i am doing will watch this all the way when i am closer to doing it.
SolventAbuseUk That's a bloody good idea, I could do a set of different scales for different projects. Sandbags on the Afghan build would be awesome, go for internal seams as they have the posh ones over there. Can't wait to see you take, your Das skills are way better than mine, outstanding brickwork, I'll be watching your vid this weekend ;-D
thank you
what scale is ths for?
this was really usefull. thanks
Jonas Andersen Excellent, glad it's helped mate
Quick tip. Whats wrong with the close cam. Lighting. I sea your head in front of the light. You need a second light source
stefan arts Thanks for the tip mate, I really need to work on my lighting setup, I've just got no clue about that sort of stuff
wait what? engineers have special measuring tools to fill their sandbags with exactly the same amounts of material?
learn something every day!
what i want to know though is how often they actually use this tool?
+Suiseiseki Rozen When building large sections of sandbags, quite often actually :-)
Yea there called Squadies, lol
yeah :>
...and whole my life I was doing individual bags... what a waste of my life.
thx Mel!
Adrian Kramarzyk No worries matey ;-)