Plaster Cloth Mountains

Depends what''s holding up the plaster cloth and if you coated it with scultomold - if you have cardboard strips weaved as a support it may be a bit harder - I did it by using a dremel with a cutting blade on a much smaller mountain.  Also, if you coated the cloth with scultomold that would give you a more rigid structure and less likely to collapse. 

Good luck -

Paul

I'm sure you could do it, but are you sure you want to? Mountains are fun, and most of us don't get to do very many of them in our modeling careers.

As Paul said: Depends on what you used as a substructure. If it was foam and not glued down to the layout surface, cutting around the base should release it with very little damage. If you used a wood frame and/or cardboard strips tacked to the layout surface, it may be a bit more problematic.

I have to take them out because I'm redoing the layout in a room down in my basement. I only used crumpled up newspaper to form them, nothing else.

I would like to save them if I can, the shell is very hard so I don't know until I try.

"I would like to save them if I can, the shell is very hard so I don't know until I try."

You have just answered your question yourself.

For your own interest and anyone else: I have used Plaster Cloth for many years my method is a bit over the top but it's certainly strong.

The method that I have used for many years is below.  I read the original idea in a Marklin Magazine years ago.

Using any kind of support I like newspapers as well, cover the newspaper with the plaster cloth then mix up equal parts Polyfilla,(like plaster but slow drying) cheap white glue, water, and a dash of coloured water based paint, I use grey, then paint the plaster cloth and apply a layer of cut up paper towels that are cut into 3inch squares then cover again with the mixture this results in a rock hard scenery base. Roo.

I agree with the other replies. I will be interested in how it works.  Your mountain looks pretty good so I understand wanting to keep it.  If the transplant is not satisfactory, you can just do another. You have the talent.  

BTW, most of my mountains are modular so I can remove them.  They are cardboard latice, covered in 2 layers of newspaper glued flat (not crumpled) and then plaster towels or hydrocal cloth. 

TELEVUE, I have two I have to do and was wondering what the dimensions are of yours.  Say from first tunnel to first wall, second tunnel to second wall and peak height above track.  Would help me get some estimate of your topology.  Just rough measurement is fine.  Thanks.

Kirk my Mountain is 39 inches x 43 inches and 13 inches high. My other mountain is slightly smaller.

Televue posted:

Hello I have a question about my plaster cloth mountains. Will I be able to cut around the edges and just lift these from my layout and place them on my new layout? 

 

If it's hollow all around and only a small edge area is actually mounted to the layout surface, you should be able to run a small loose saw blade around the perimeter; maybe a hacksaw blade bent to form a handle.  Might take some damage at the edges but with patience you should be able to free it relatively intact.

If it's solid over foam glued to the surface, you're probably hosed.

If it's something in between, then try cutting the perimeter and try.  Might also sacrifice a chicken or goat to the Gods just to capture their benevolence....

Televue posted:

I have to take them out because I'm redoing the layout in a room down in my basement. I only used crumpled up newspaper to form them, nothing else.

Cutting around the perimeter with an old paring knife or some such should do it. I always keep old sharp-edge or serrated knives around for such purposes.

Transplant it, fix up the cut edges along the base with Sculptamold (one of my favorite modeling materials), and you should be good to go.