RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 22, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2019 A family shopping trip to Ikea resulted in me coming home with one of these. The dimensions are 46 x 31 x 25cm. ideal for a micro layout, and only £9. I assembled the box, removing 3 of the slats from one side and the bottom slat from the end. I then lined the inside of the crate with 3mm ply and a piece of foam board for the base. The track is code 75, and the buildings are from Bachmann, nothing is attached yet so the scene may change over the coming weeks as I progress through the build. Thanks for looking, Regards Paul. 17 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted February 22, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2019 Novel idea. Two would easily hinge to make a single crate when not in use. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Holmes Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Top notch! I love it when people get creative with IKEA products. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Great idea. I was in IKEA a few weeks ago and very nearly bought one myself until I remembered my current projects. Look forward to seeing this develop. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1722 Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 I'd toyed with using the smaller one in the past. Great idea, keep us all posted. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmianmianm Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Bloody ell, why'd I not think of that? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveyDee68 Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Ooooooh! Me likely!! I pass IKEA (Manchester) every day ... Resist... must resist... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CloggyDog Posted February 24, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 24, 2019 A friend mentioned this thread to me yesterday, very neat idea. What are the internal dimensions within the ply inner, please? Thinking this might be a good (stronger, more protective) alternative to a boxfile Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 24, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2019 9 hours ago, CloggyDog said: A friend mentioned this thread to me yesterday, very neat idea. What are the internal dimensions within the ply inner, please? Thinking this might be a good (stronger, more protective) alternative to a boxfile Thank you Cloggydog, The Internal dimensions are 38cm x 29cm. Its certainly a very strong structure, will definitely being picking up some more the next time I go to Ikea. Regards Paul. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hando Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 "I fear IKEA dum dum dum dum I won't go there again, I don't want a bookshelf called 'BILLY' or a table called 'SVEN'!" 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 24, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2019 Managed to do a bit of modelling today, track fixed into place and weathered in my usual way, I use Hubrol Dark earth matt spray paint, a quick spay and once dry I clean the tops of the rails. Then I painted the back scene using Wilkos Tester pots moody blue mixed with white. More to follow, thanks for looking. Regards Paul. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted February 24, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2019 Hi Paul a nice structure for a micro layout. I like your layout plan and track weathering technique, one I will try myself. look forward to seeing more. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 I certainly like the idea but would be tempted to reduce the height by one slat. steve 1 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Russ (mines a pint) Posted February 24, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2019 looks very good so far -always up for ideas regards pre-cut easy to assemble solutions regards baseboards 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_J Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I'd keep the height, but raise the trackbed. That would give the space for a quayside, or canal. 5 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Looking good so far. You have identified another nice basis for micro layouts. I must admit, I rarely go to Ikea Mrs Smith would like to visit there more often... but so far, my excuses must be working 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 25, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 25, 2019 A little bit more done to the layout today. used some grey board to create some concrete hard standing, will paint and weather tomorrow. found some buffer stops in the spares box. Have used Das modelling clay to create a dirt crossing and a small embankment at the back, have laid it thinly so should be dry by the morning I will then use sandpaper to give it a smooth finish before painting. A big thanks to everyone who has left likes and commented so far. Thanks for looking. Regards Paul. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class 74 Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I thought the same about the height. But it gives the opportunity for a nice frame, with a good light = perfect! Looking good so far Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CloggyDog Posted February 26, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 26, 2019 21 hours ago, steve1 said: I certainly like the idea but would be tempted to reduce the height by one slat. steve I'd be more tempted to keep the carrying handles and stackability, I think. Especially if I were to do multiple micros! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 26, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 26, 2019 I have painted the concrete hard standing and Das clay, not to sure about the colour think it could do with being a bit lighter. but will wait to see how it looks once the track is ballasted and greenery added. Thanks for looking. Regards Paul. 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsmithuk Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 I have no connection to Homebase, but found this whilst browsing, very similar and £6 cost. Homebase Crate 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_tyne Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 16 hours ago, Howl03 said: I have painted the concrete hard standing and Das clay, not to sure about the colour think it could do with being a bit lighter. but will wait to see how it looks once the track is ballasted and greenery added. Thanks for looking. Regards Paul. Paul, I think that concrete looks superb. I think the colouring looks very realistic. If you don't mind, can you share a little about how you went about it? Cheers, David 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 27, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2019 8 hours ago, south_tyne said: Paul, I think that concrete looks superb. I think the colouring looks very realistic. If you don't mind, can you share a little about how you went about it? Cheers, David Thank you David, I started by painting them with a base coat of dark grey and then mixed a lighter grey and blended this in keeping the darker areas at the edges. once this was dry I used brown and black weathering powders over the whole area. Regards Paul. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 27, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2019 10 hours ago, johnsmithuk said: I have no connection to Homebase, but found this whilst browsing, very similar and £6 cost. Homebase Crate Hobbycraft also do one at £8 https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/wooden-crate-40cm-x-30cm-x-18cm/636897-1000 although the Ikea one is definitely more substantial. Regards Paul. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Howl03 Posted February 27, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2019 Track ballasted and greenery added, I used woodland scenics fine brown ballast for the track. The grass is dark green scatter with a lighter green static grass applied with a puffer bottle over the topi feel this gives the grass a nice texture. The two trees are both from woodland scenics tree kits. I am going to add a small goods shed to the left hand side this will hopefully act as a bit of a view blocker to the fiddle yard. Thanks for looking. Regards Paul. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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