HOW TO
Deciduous trees and shrubs for model railroad, architectural models, dioramas, dollhouses, military models, games, and more.
Please note there many ways to make trees and shrubs. The key with our product is the foliage. These two methods described below assures you that you do not have to worry about breaking your tree and building another one.
HOW TO MAKE TYPE 'A' WIRE DECIDUOUS TREES
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Tools and additional material you will need. Finishing nail, flat nose pliers, scissors, drinking straw or gut out ball point pen, variable speed drill, spray paint and industrial spray adhesive ( 3M 77, Elmers, Loctite general purpose or equal ), shrink tubing also called tree trunk wrap and branch netting.
Step 1 (Fig 1): Fix finishing nail to block of wood. Cut wire to desired length and fold in half, loop around finishing nail and twist. This is the top of tree.
Step 2 (Fig 2): Add branch netting material to wire and twist as you go. Use a little extra netting material at the top of the tree, then less for the balance. Once you have enough branch material installed, use pliers to twist wire slightly tighter.
Step 3 (Fig 3): Now twist wire to desired tightness using drill. Spin at slow speed. You may have to bend bottom of wire back for more thickness for drill jaws to grab.
Step 4: Trim wire at both ends.
Step 5 (Fig 4): Slip trunk tubing over wire and apply heat to top end to make tree trunk.
Step 6 (Fig 5): Trim tree to desired shape. Place a group of trees onto a square sheet of plywood which is drilled with a series of holes to hold trees while spray painting. Place on a turn table and spin. While it is spinning, spray tree with gray and brown paint simultaneously (one can in each hand) or use light gray paint and spray. For birch trees, use white paint only. For coniferous trees, use brown paint.
Step 7 (Fig 6): Individually spray trees with industrial adhesive and apply foliage (sprinkle onto tree.) Insert tree trunk into straw or gut out ball point pen. This will prevent spray adhesive from being sprayed onto trunk. Holding straw or empty pen in one hand, spray tree with industrial adhesive. Remove from straw/empty pen. Sprinkle foliage onto tree. Use same procedure to make shrubs and bushes. For best results vary size, shape and leaf colors of trees and shrubs.
Tree Foliage LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING. Separates and sprinkles easy. Blend similar colors for a more natural look. Blend different colors to create autumn scene.
Natural and quick to apply. Play around with product and try different techniques and applications.
This method from steps 1 to 6 may be used to make coniferous (evergreen) trees. Use ground foam in lieu of leaf foliage.
HOW TO MAKE TYPE 'B' WIRE DECIDUOUS TREES
FIG 1
FIG 2
FIG 3
FIG 4
FIG 5
FIG 6
Tools and additional material you will need. Flat nose (line) pliers, electrical wire stripper, scissors, drinking straw or gut out ball point pen, branch netting, spray paint and spray industrial adhesive (recommend 3M 77, Elmers, Loctite general purpose or equal).
Step 1 (Fig 1): Cut length of strand wire to desired length.
Step 2 (Fig 2): Using your flat nose pliers, crimp insulation to desired length you want strip insulation to expose strand wire, This process will break bond between insulation and strand wire. Next use your wire stripper to strip insulation to expose strand wire which will become your main branches,
Step 3 (Fig 3): Unravel the exposed wire and shape to desired main branch shapes.
Step 4 (Fig 4): Paint trees. Do this by placing a group of trees onto a square sheet of plywood which is drilled with a series of holes to hold trees while spray painting. Place on a turn table and spin. While it is spinning, spray tree with gray and brown paint simultaneously (one can in each hand) or use light gray paint and spray. For birch trees, use white paint only.
Individually with each tree, do following steps.
Step 5 (Fig 5): Trim key branches to desired lengths. Insert tree trunk into straw or gut out ball point pen. This will prevent spray adhesive from being sprayed onto trunk. Holding straw or empty pen in one hand, spray tree with industrial adhesive. Remove from straw/empty pen. Sprinkle branch netting onto tree. NOTE: you must cut branch netting into short length pieces. Vary lengths from 6mm (1/4”) to 15mm (5/8”) for HO to O scale and 3mm (1/8”) to 10mm (3/8”) for N scale. Use your own judgment for cut lengths.
Step 6 (Fig 6): Once again insert tree trunk into empty pen/straw and spray again with adhesive. Remove from straw/empty pen and now sprinkle with foliage. Voila! A tree.
Use same procedure to make shrubs and bushes. For best results vary size, shape and leaf colors of trees and shrubs.
Tree Foliage LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING. Separates and sprinkles easy. Blend similar colors for a more natural look. Blend different colors to create autumn scene.
Natural and quick to apply. Play around with product and try different techniques and applications.