Strong foliage

Sepp · Post by **Sepp** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 12:16 am

I wonder if anyone can give me some hints here. I am making some trees, using pennies [us] roofing nails glued on, and then clump foliage glued on with TURBO tacky glue. The problem is to strengthen the foliage with watered down ELMERs. I am dipping the tree with the clump on in watered down glue but it seems I still lose some of the clump stuff. I know there is some way to spray them without the spray bottle gumming up all the time. Many thanks in advance.[/b]

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:34 am

Don't water down the Elmer's. What I do is have a shallow dish with Elmer's and shmush (that is a technical term of art) the foliage clump down into the glue. If you're using railroad type foliage it is basically sponge material anyway so it soaks up some of the glue. Stick it to your base or tree or whatever and when it dries it will be very strong.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:23 am

I would not use roofing nails, some one falls and either their hand, body or foot get impaled, that may present some problems. Get the plastic trees from a hobby shop and blue the tree clump on the branches, would be one idea I may throw out.

Extra Crispy · Post by **Extra Crispy** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:37 pm

Here's what I do.

I have a spray bottle containing watered down white glue. Spray, spray, spray. now, when I'm done, I take the spray off and put on a regular cap. Then I put the sprayer in a container full of warm water (an old wine bottle or an empty soda can will do) and spray for 2-3 minutes to clean.

Sprayer has never clogged on me.

Sepp · Post by **Sepp** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 3:50 am

Again "extra Crispy" You are turning into my GURU

Thank you Mark.
Alan

RedDragon · Post by **RedDragon** » Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:52 pm

I second the safety advice against using nails...

Sepp · Post by **Sepp** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 2:44 am

I understand the concern people have about using Pennies and roofing nails as tree armatures, however I play solo due to my location up in the Blue Ridge Mountains in VA. Although I have just returned to the micro scale, I have used them in the past and have never had a problem. Also my table is homemade and quite high, just enough to be able to reach over half of my 4 foot by 6 foot.

RedDragon · Post by **RedDragon** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 7:04 pm

Glad it works for you Sepp; I just hope none never end up on the ground, especially in the dark...

I've been around enough construction sites (read: stepped on nails & gotten flat tires) that I feel compelled to sequester nails, screws and the sort to very limited locations and activities.

Sincere good luck to you and please show us the finished product.

Sepp · Post by **Sepp** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:26 am

YES!!! After retiring from a lifetime of being a carpenter building houses I know what you mean. I am very aware of what is falling on the floor and so far so good. I will try and get some photos as soon as I figure out this computer stuff