Breakthrough question

[DoctorP]

I'm now creating my first OO scale layout, modeling a small village in the Cotswolds. I've been using card stock building/structure kits from Metcalfe and they are good, but fall a bit short of the level of realism I want to reflect. This morning, I was scanning Youtube and ran across exactly what I hope to achieve on a very short video from British Pathe on using human hair for thatching material. I have listed the Youtube address for the video in hopes that somebody might view it and give me some good advice about how I can create structures along the lines this modeler has. The Youtube address is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeWOzMEHCpc  I hope someone can help. The layout I am creating now is a "practice" layout. We will be moving next summer and this layout will have to be torn down and another built in our new residence. With all due respect to Metcalfe, I want to be more realistic and hope to learn something from some of you on this site that will help me with creating a more realistic end product. Thank you. DoctorP

[daltonparva]

I've just watched the video, the hair cutting scene was interesting to say the least. If this is your planned course of action I suggest you do it whilst Mrs DoctorP is asleep, and only from the back where she might not see. I would be interested to know if you survive the attempt, please have someone ready to take over your posting and let us know if you don't. Regards.

[wainwright1]

I believe that plumber's hemp has been used as an alternative to human hair and obviously is a lot safer. (Assuming that you did not misappropriate it from the Plumber)

 

I have not used it myself, but think that it gives a very realistic effect.

 

RB

[mikeg]

Pen don Museum was the first to use this for thatched roofing. I tried it when my wife had her long hair cut and it does work but I had trouble with insects eating it. A better alternative is to use plumbers hemp which I found easier to use and did not get the insect damage also it takes ages for hair to grow to get another cut long enough to be able to cover many roofs.

 

I think you should be able to get plumbers hemp in the US but it might be called a different name.

 

Mikeg

[Free At Last]

Quote

The scale is one centimetre to the foot or one seventy sixth of the actual size.

 

 

[Tim V]

That video is of Roye England of Pendon!

 

Get hold of 'Cottage modelling for Pendon', published by Wild Swan.

[tomparryharry]

Edited.. Poor joke....

 

Ian.

Edited September 7, 2018 by tomparryharry

[Irish_R_M]

Pound shop paint brushes, or if you want bang for buck, a wallpaper paste brush from similar high quality establishments. It'll have the right colour, and can be stuck with pva. Failing that, a brush and pan set will give you as many straight fibres you need. 

 

Should you require a laugh, I recalled this video that recommended thus  - "Fur from a ginger tom is ideal for making grass, as well as thatch on models of poor peoples houses..." 

 

https://youtu.be/5nTtOOKan-U

 

RM

[kandc_au]

The reason Pendon don't use hair anymore is that it deteriorates, hence why they now use plumbers hemp.

From  memory it was mentioned in the Roye England book which is available from Pendon and worth every cent/penny in my view!

 

Khris

[Il Grifone]

Quote

The scale is one centimetre to the foot or one seventy sixth of the actual size.

 

 

The metric system was a dark art in the UK at the time ( I was several years into my schooling before it was even mentioned!), but then it was a Pathé News reporter (chosen for monotonous bored/boring voice more than anything IMHO).

 

From what i could gather Pathé News was deliberately tedious (I've seen it described as, "What the Queen did last month!") to encourage cinema sales of ice cream.

Edited September 7, 2018 by Il Grifone

[Il Grifone]

Plumber's hemp is getting hard to find (I do have a large hank of it - somewhere!), as PTFE tape is much more convenient. Even I can use it....