Building a Diorama - Part # 5 - Erecting The Profile Boards

Erecting The Profile Boards:

Now that we have our Base Board, Profile Boards and related Gussets, Front & Rear Edge Boards cut we are ready to begin building the diorama.  Get your #1 through #4 Profile Boards oriented to the #1 through #4 positions on the Base Board.  Glue 2 Gussets to each Profile Board at the bottom edge where they will meet the Base Board, located about 2" in from the rear and about half way front to back.  Be sure that on Profile Boards #1 & #4 the Gussets are located on the inside surfaces.  Note:  These pictures are from my early version.  Yours will be slightly different

Beginning with #1, apply glue to the lower edges (not sides) of the board and gussets and locate to the #1 location at the edge of the base.  Hold in position for a moment until the glue gets tacky.  You might need a box or similar item to help hold the board upright until dry.  Proceed for #2 and #3 using the lines drawn on the base to roughly locate the boards.  The #4 board is set at the edge similar to board #1.

To attach  the Front Edge Board stand the completed assembly upright on the back surface, apply glue to all the upper edges of the Base and Profile Boards and place the 2" wide board in position.  When dry we will proceed to the Rear Edge Board.

Now lean the assembly upright with the rear surface up.  Place the Rear Edge Board about 3" or 4 " below the top edges of the Profile Boards and mark the boards to show the upper and lower location of the Back Edge Board.  Apply glue to the board edges between these lines and place the Back Edge Board into position.  When dry you have completed the assembly for your Diorama.

Now on to Part #6, completing the Rough Terrain for you Diorama.

Building a Diorama - Part #4 - Locating Your Path or Roadway

 Path or Roadway:  This will provide a stage to place your model for show or photography.  In my case it was a railroad track so the roadway was only 3" wide for HO scale, and I wanted it to be a little slanted front to back and higher to lower.  For your diorama it might be a path through the forest, a highway along the hillside or simply a stage area in your scene.

Below are some pictures of my creation using a sky board and mountain cutout to enhance the view.  These tricks and others will be discussed in future posts.  Remember, you can always change your mind.
 
 

 


This is an early version of the diorama with lightweight spackling rock formations.

The early version with some additional rock formations.

The present version after cutting the ravine, adding a small stream and wood trestle.  Notice the neat work area.
(Guess what,  I changed my mind.)

This is how I used the revised diorama to display a wrecked caboose. 












 I cut my profile boards to create my "slightly slanted" railroad roadbed.  I cut the first, #1, profile board with a 3" flat location for the roadbed.  Then I used the first board as a template to locate the other cuts by moving it over and up 1/4" for each progressive cut in boards #2, #3 and #4. 

 

  
Shaping the profile boards:  I used my small band-saw to cut the rough terrain shape in my boards, but you can use a coping saw or other tool to shape your boards.

The next step Part #5 will be erecting the profile boards and front and rear stiffener boards.