Getting Started - Trial Run

Ok, the first step of this adventure was to buy supplies.  I ordered a "Mini Casting Kit" from Alumilite to try things out.  I've never done anything like this, so I have no idea how it will go.  I figure if I'm going to fail, I'd rather start out failing small than failing big.

I took a quick trip to the local art supply store for Sculpey clay (and paint brushes for later) and to Home Depot for a thin piece of wood, a dowel, some razor blades, and some sanding paper.  The piece of wood I found in a random box in the lumber dept.  It was the thinnest piece I could find.  When I took it up to the counter the lady said "I don't even know what the hell this is" and gave it to me for free.  Oh, and I actually picked up my first copy of Settlers of Catan off Amazon.  Time to get started.

 The wood I just broke in half and used to get an even thickness on my tiles.  It's just slightly thicker than 1/8".  I used a dowel like a rolling pin to get it down to size.  Placing a blank Settlers tile on top, I used a razor blade to cut out a replica hexagon.  The great part about the Sculpey clay is that it stays pliable until you bake it.  It took a couple tries before I got hexes I was happy with.  If the hexes don't fit together correctly, this was all for nothing!

Once I had a good hex, I put it in the oven and baked it.  Obviously this isn't a finished piece - something has to go on top of these.  I didn't want to mess up the shape of the base while I was creating the terrain, though, so I baked these hard.  Then I could place more clay on top of the baked piece and create whatever landscape I wanted to.  I ordered a set of sculpting tools off Amazon and went to work.

Here's where the project stands today.  The most difficult decision was which piece to start first.  On the lower right I went with clay, hoping to make something looking like a clay quarry.  It's difficult to visualize when it's all just white clay, but the center part will be a brick color, dug into the side of a hill, while the sides and back will be hill and trees.  The flat part on top is where the resource number will sit. 

The back piece is a port.  I made water just by pressing wet fingers into the clay.  The center will have a token on it indicating which type of port it is.  I figured it's easier to mass produce one blank port rather than every type, and just have a separate token glued to the top to indicate what type of port it is.  I think I'm going to re-do the piers a little bit, I'm not terribly happy with them.  The beauty of it is, until I bake them on, I can keep fiddling with it until I am happy!

Obviously the last piece I haven't started yet, nor have I decided which I'll work on next.  Any suggestions?

What in the world did I get myself into?

First of all, if anyone is viewing this that has never played Settlers of Catan - CHECK IT OUT

Catan is a fantastic board game that I've been playing with various groups of friends for a few years.  Oddly enough, I had never actually owned the game myself.  My friend Ben recently received the latest version as a gift, and we started playing it again.  I have to say I was disappointed with the construction of the most recent version - it just didn't fit together well.  For whatever reason I was compelled to discover a way to find a better version of the game or improve upon the construction of the board.

I assumed there had to be a sturdier version of the board available.  Many game companies put out special wooden editions, which would be the perfect solution. Mayfair Games has indeed put out special editions, both a wooden and 3d version.  They looked to be pricey and scarce.  While I was searching, I found a different, more interesting solution.  Many people had similar complaints, and went about creating their own solutions.  Some used magnets or glue to attach pieces to a sturdier surface or painting the pieces on plexiglass or wooden hexes.  Many others created their own pieces out of clay and resin.

The last option was appealing to me.  For whatever reason, I wanted to try it.  I've never done anything remotely similar to this, so it's going to be a complete learning experience.

The first step was research - it turns out several people have done this, and have posted pretty outstanding guides.  Without them, I'd have not the slightest idea where to begin.

Scurvy Jake has an extremely detailed guide and a gorgeous board.

 

Dave Becker posted a four-part guide to the entire process, and provides links to many similar projects, making it a one stop shop for inspiration.

Finally, Kevin Sims has taken the entire project one step further (or likely thousands of steps).  In addition to making a truly beautiful board, he's constructed wooden cases for all of his pieces as well as a massive chest to hold his entire collection.

If my board looks anywhere near half as good as any of these, I'll be ecstatic.