What did I forget to include? Let's make a list! 1. In some regions XPS insulation foam comes with a thin, clear, protective film on it. You want to remove it before you use it for anything.
I know you have "Basics: How to get good, clean, straight cuts in XPS Foam (Black Magic Craft Episode 030)" But one of the things that I struggled with in the beginning when working with something like a 2'x2' piece of xps and going straight the proxxon - the xpos is never plumb from the get go. Getting a clean cut isn't necessarily the problem - if you follow the tips in episode 30 , which is a great place to start , it's more about but how can you get a piece straight and plumb - if you ended up with a crooked piece from having a not squared end of xps or forgot to get it squared off with the knife or even ran it through the proxxon and bumped it or ran it through cockeyed. How can you get it back to square easily?
Did you watch the video I made about cutting foam squares? It's been a while since I made it so I don't remember exactly what I covered, but that was essentially what it was about.
@@BlackMagicCraftOfficial yeah, I went back and watched it. I was meaning more like big pieces. I invested in one of the large T squares which helped, along with practice. Just didn't ever think about the foam not being square from the store, so starting out things kept coming out cooked, before I started checking for the foam being square. Kind of "duh" moment. Maybe it was just me though.
Ah, gotcha. I misread 2'x2' in D&D tile terms as 2x2.....what you're talking about is a lot more difficult, and there isn't an easy fix. This is why when I do large pieces I attach them to mdf and overhang the foam on all edges then run it through the proxxon where the mdf base acts as a guide. The proxxon is just too small as is to use it for cutting 2' pieces accurately. I've seen some people build the machine into a larger table which works awesome if you have the space for that but I'd say most don't.
One other method is clamping a metal straight edge on top and bottom of piece, being sure they are in line with eachother, then use a handheld hotwire to make the cut using the two edges as rails. It's a bit tricky though.
Saw your recent post about struggling with content creation and some suicide awareness stuff, and I just want to say thank you for the amazing content you create. You got me into the crafting game. I cannot even play D&D steadily with friends but I love crafting. Keep up the great work, forget the haters and just do you bud. You do amazing work, keep it up! You are very inspirational to those of us who only wish we could do what you do for a living!
I've been building military models and dioramas for 50 years (I'm old!). I've been using various techniques and discovering others for decades! This is the best 'basic tips and tricks' video I've ever seen. GREAT JOB, Jeremy!!! Thanks
One thing that I didn't quite "get" as a total beginner but am slowly coming to understand is the crafter's eye--that ability to take a look at something in the dollar store or craft store or big box home improvement store or even just your yard and say "hey, I can totally use this to do *blah*!" Example: tons and tons of people in the crafting world do the whole wadded up ball of tinfoil to get a good stoney texture on foam but when I was adding lava rocks to my grill a while back I picked one up and said "aha!" and started using that instead. It's not really better at texturing but it is effectively reusable forever unlike the tinfoil balls that eventually lose their sharp points.
I know what you mean. We have been buying these Actimel yoghurt shots for years. Yesterday I though" Oh OH, wait, barrels tanks, boilers, player sized potion botles. Know my craft room has a box for empty yoghurt bottles...
I have recently been clearing my 10yo daughter room. Old toys, unused 'stuff' and 'things'. What a treasure trove! My favourite: My Little pony, she had like 5 or 6 wings from some various ponies that were lost or given away. Also, kinder egg toys (all those little levers and gears!), jewelry kits (hello beads and gems!), dog-chewed barbie (hair!), ikea cardboard storage boxes (got rid of cardboard, too damaged but kept gear-shaped nuts/bolts that were holding them together), few small horses and other animals (for statues and conversions)... and loads more!I was laughing like a crazy... and looked at as one too! ;)That was a good day... :)
YUP!!! I see terrain ideas everywhere, packing materials etc I now am hording the plastic printer paper reels for columns. Heck I recently chopped up, glued and weighted my OJ bottle and am using it as my miniholder for painting and it works great. BEWARE THE EYE OF THE CRAFTER Lol.
After watching your videos my girlfriend and I sat down to craft some 3x3 tiles. Something so simple provided so much fun, and, our dnd sessions now have an exciting new element. Thank you, dude, you're like the Bob Ross of mini crafting.
Around 18:20, BMC mentions breaking down the big foam sheets into smaller sections. On two different occasions (the only times I've bought it) Home Depot/Lowes ran it through the wood cutter for me. At the time, I was making foam battle boards for 40k and had them cut into 4'x2' sections. Those were incredibly easy to manage and I later cut the extra sheet into smaller pieces for different purposes.
If you drive past any housing development there is usually some in the bins, also loads of poly foam and other bits and pieces that are new but left over if you arent above doing some of your own recycling
I’ve been following this channel since the beginning and I can tell you that the basics series helped me so much when I was just starting out. I still reference them from time to time.
Lately I was interested in building some terrain on my own and started to search on YT for some tutorials. Accidentally I discovered your channel and I think it's totally awesome! Things you build, tips you give and tutorials you make are great, really. My skills in crafting got to the next level thanks to you. I just want to thank you for what you're doing. Dont stop:)
Watched your videos cause I wanted to build a ship model. Already had a glue gun, got some Mod Podge, foam core, tacky glue, and box knives from Dollar Tree. My ship model is looking epic, and it only cost around $8 US for all the materials! Thanks for making video's! Your Dollar Store builds are super helpful.
Great to see a basics video that increases accessibility to the hobby. Please don’t feel you have to apologize for a topic. It’s your channel. It’s great. Do what you like. Thanks as always!
I was disappointed initially that we would not get to the painting part of the building this week, but you mentioned so many useful things here, that by the time the video ended, I was grateful you made it. And now I have to watch the 4 other videos you linked here because I found all the subjects of great interest.
So, I haven't actually attempted any terrain stuff yet, but you did inspire me to make some much needed things for my workspace using corrugated cardboard and some hot glue. I made a brush stand, and some stadium style risers for my paints! I'm new to the channel, but I've gotten a lot from your videos!
oh my god you're seriously an angel, thank you for helping to make this hobby so accessible to newcomers. i learn so much every time i watch one of your videos.
Great to see your craft room coming along so nicely. Truly a fantasy workshop for you to create in and your viewers to enjoy watching you in. I know I like to see shelves of your prior builds and figures painted up. Keep up the great work and we will continue to enjoy and be inspired by your creations.
I've done a lot of 'garbage crafting' - reusing plastic bottles, bits of broken toys, and the like. I showed a friend a building and they were impressed. Then I pointed out that the structure was an old shampoo bottle, the front door was a plastic bread wrapper clip, and the elevator was an old plastic film canister (ask your grandparents what "film" was). His eyes got wide as he started to recognize the various shapes of items others would have tossed. "How did you even think of that?" he asked. See things not as they are, but as they can be - the Crafter's Eye... :)
Beginner here. I sure wish I'd seen this a month ago. I did exactly as you said. I watched a bunch of videos and bought enough stuff to do miniature everything - ponds, mountains, paints galore (easel and canvases), sawdust, tapes, glues, rocks, wire, clay, tools, and for sure...Popsicle sticks! AND THEN I needed containers to put things in and got shelving for the containers. I live in a small apartment. Please know that before I buy even one more thing, I will try to find a video of yours on it first. LOL Thanks for being you!
Near the end of the video you mention the level of interest and wanting to expand, new tools, better materials. What would be the next level for a Beginner becoming a Novice(Novice > Advanced > Experienced > Pro). Perhaps another idea for future videos. I started out doing Warhammer 40k miniatures for 3 years and got burnt out after that time and have now started crafting terrain just for kicks. I do know there are some tools and supplies out in the world that would be nice additions, but I would like to ask a Pro level crafter how to enhance the crafting game. Wonderful video, thank you for the refresher.
I personally think a basic hobby knife and cardboard is the most beginner you can get, in my experience. From there, a better knife like OLFA and foamboard are a step up. Getting into XPS foam and hot wire cutters is yet another step above that. Of course, all that can depend on personal experience and preferred medium :)
As usual, lots of great info. I truly appreciate it when a 'professional' takes the time to explain stuff so the beginner can jump in and become part of this great community. Thank you sir and please, please take care of yourself!
I remember discovering miniature wargaming back in 2009. I collected all the minis but by far the terrain crafting was my favorite aspect of that hobby. Eventually I gave it up because even the hyper-simplistic, step-by-step tutorials available online all produced mediocre results in my hands. Circa 2017, I found you Jeremy. Your explanations, you suggestions, and your attitude on making something your own and not having to do everything perfectly or "by the book" awakened something in me. I'm glad videos like this exist to give others the same foundation of skills and inspiration to pursue the craft!
Pour les français: Le "Mod podge" 11:23 c'est du "Vernis colle", on peut en trouver en magasins de bricolage (Leroy Merlin, Castorama...) au rayon peinture ou dans les magasins d'art créatifs (Cultura...) au rayon de décorations de petits objets en MDF. Certains l'utilisent pour coller des serviettes en papier sur ces objets.
Totally overwhelmed myself. Within a month I got 2k of stuff (new to crafting/painting. had nothing).Been about 10 weeks. Didnt have a clue where to start. So far all ive done is organize (corkboard/shelves) made a hotwire foam cutter, made a case for minis, painted 7 minis, made 3 wire trees, 1 diorama and should be done with a tavern (wylochs) this weekend. Oh and cut around 3000 foam blocks for building some of your things. TY for the content!
Thanks big help.i love your show. I'm just starting with all this. I played D&D as a teen and now I'm 50 with 2 kids. And I dusted off my games for first time in many years.I'm now starting to play with my children . and for the first time I'm using miniatures. And I am loving it. So happy to find you.
I am just getting into the hobby myself, and have found all of your videos super helpful! In regards to buying XPS foam, I actually found that my local Home Depot sold little 2ftx2ft squares, made breaking into the hobby and transporting it super easy!
AH! You beat me to it! I was working on a video on this very topic. Oh well... yours turned out to be very informative and very much promoted the hobby for which I am very grateful. Keep up the inspirational work.
Great video content. Note: Chipboard is used in book binding and picture framing. So you can often get it a crafting stores like Michaels. I think asking for chipboard at the right store will get the best results. PS: I got really funny looks when I broke my 4x8 XPS down in The Home Depot parking lot. Luckily, the 2-inch thick board was already scored every 18-inches or so. Fit very nice in my mini-van Mazda 5.
Thank you for this video! I've made a few terrain pieces in my teen years and enjoyed it quite a lot. Now as an adult I want to get back into the hobby and this video really helped me create a list of the basic supplies I need to start creating again. I also saw that you have a video of great beginner projects that I will look into for sure.
Who are these 20-28 people who always give you a ‘thumbs down’? Your channel is awesome and even though I’ve adopted the virtual table top, your channel makes me want to craft and your stuff looks awesome. You are very professional. Thanks.
Agree with Knight's comment. You are by far my favorite crafter on youtube. There's some amazing folks I see on twitter but they share their work, not the know how and examples of step by step like you do. I hope you can take some comfort in the huge group of us that appreciate what you do. BMC is the consistent, solid, useful, and professional crafting channel I go to weekly. I used to (and still do) look forward to RuneHammer videos each week. The two of you guys are truly inspiring and I know he was struggling for a bit too. Stay strong man. Love your work. Tell Hankerin to put out more content if he's up for it =) Ever considered doing scatter terrain for caves? I'm running Cavern of Archaia and there's a lot of shroom stuff going on in there. Would love to see the BMC version of a mushroom forest in a cave system. Good luck Jeremy.
Hi sir, just wanted to thank you for your content. i started tabletop crafting about 3 weeks ago. and i am learning heaps of you. your video's and explanations help a lot!
I just want to thank you for all this info!…. I am one of those that just stumbled upon your videos, IT JUST POPPED UP! I’m an extremely crafty person and have spent the past hour watching several of your videos. In awe of this art. I’m not someone into D&D but am inspired to use this art in another way. I’m huge into Christmas, when decorating the inside of my house it looks like Hallmark Christmas on Steroids 😅…. I’ve been looking for inspiration on a long term stable way to make a gingerbread house village. I’m loving this and it’s not a huge craft investment, I have most of everything you’ve suggested….. again THANKS YOU!!
19:13 made me feel so much less intimidated :D on so many channels that work with Minis you see all these fancy tools that it sometimes feels like you get psyop'd into opting to buy these things but in the end, most of it can be outplayed by basic tools used the right way :D
I found this to be super useful. I am new in the hobby and totally dig it. But you hit the nail on the head I heard 1 million different things from 1 million different sources. This was the first helpful one I actually watched out of the two many to count before.
I've been in the hobby for 45 years, but I really welcome this kind of vid' once in a while. I always learn something new or I am reminded of something I'd forgotten (that's happening more and more these days!). So, many thanks for this and I'm off to get some ModPodge to try out.
Dude - you so should pin this on top of the Guild FB page. Rock on! - Edit - "Your first build isn't going to be very good anyway.." - I followed one of your build videos and my first build was AWESOME and is what got me hooked. Just sayin. Cheers!
@Black Magic Craft There is one thing I would like to see besides the basic tools/materials.... I recently became an empty nester and inherited my son's room! Now I have a game room to myself, but... how do you organize your room for crafting and for play?
"Hardboard" is HDF or High Density Fiberboard. It's a harder and denser version of MDF. You can find bigger sheets in many lumberyards/hardware stores. For EPVC, talk to a sign printer. They fairly often have misprinted signs that they're happy to get rid of without having to pay their trash/recylcling company to haul away. And while you're asking about EPVC, you might want to ask about coroplast (corrugated plastic), which is basically like corrugated cardboard, but, you know, plastic. 8-) Buying full sheets of either is pretty expensive, not least in shipping, because you're not buying by the truckload.
Some people know hardboard by as Masonite, Quartrboard,[3] Isorel, hernit, karlit, torex, treetex[4] or pressboard. For a puzzle board I would get a two-side smooth board, so it doesn't deposit particles all over the place. For crafting, the one-side smooth would work, letting you glue to the non-smooth side, just don't add too much moisture, or it will swell and start degrading. - I did a lot of research into the stuff last year, for a different project.
Thanks for the video! You inspired me to get into crafting and now bringing my students into the crafting scene as well! Also, I find it cool that we share a name (I learned that a few weeks into exploring your channel) So, from one Jeremy to another, thank you for what you're doing here and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much for this. Knowing it's ok to start with cardboard is great. Thanks too for the suicide awareness post. So important. Thank you so very much for all you do.
I love the video you put out. I think it would be beneficial to new crafters on basic household supplies you can find to build terrain. (Example: Tin cans, packaging and lids)
I've been hobby crafting with crude tools and materials since I could use a knife, I'm definitely looking to upgrade my entire kit, your breakdown of the kinds of foam reaffirms the conclusions I'd previously drawn, thank you, I wish I could fund your content, I promise the first commission profit is going to your channel.
I think that one item needs added to the beginner list of tools, especially for those folks who are going to be using XPF foam: a speed square. I recently bought a small one (8") made of rugged plastic for about $4 at Home Depot. I really wish that I had bought it sooner, and it really should in every crafter's tool-kit. If it serves no other purpose, "returning to square" is super fast and super easy. But it is a very versatile tool, and can replace a lot of other measuring devices. Keep up the great work! Love the channel!
good place for foam is ask the local insulation installer, he will usually have a mountain of cut end pieces you can get for free or for real cheap. another great video for knowledge BMC.
Excellent info as always! I have learned so much from BMC! Thanks a million for all the tutorials and helpful info you put out for us. Also, looking forward to the new room tour!! : )
Thank you for this video, it is very informative. I enjoy your builds and catching up on the basics every now and then helps. As for building during your crafting time, I would just class that as crafting on a 1:1 scale. Thanks again.
Sometimes those large insulation foam sheets from the hardware stores have lines already scored into them so that you can break them apart into smaller pieces which makes it a bit easier to deal with as well. You have to look at one side or the other and you can see the score marks.
This is a dog gone good start for basic materials. It is always a great idea to work with what is on hand and with the basic 10.00 worth of tools you suggested. Imagination is really the only key tool you really need and I think this video will spark a lot of imaginative ideas. As always great work. I am loving the look and overall feel of your videos as of late.
Yes. You answered my biggest question. "Can I just use gathered product foam?". Simply because I have a bunch and I don't want to spend a bunch on foam. Just found your channel and I've been looking into attempting my hand at crafting.
This is an awesome video. I have been in the crafting thing for a long time and knew most of this stuff but for anyone interested in crafting. This is a great beginning video. Awesome.
Chip board is used a lot in book binding too, so finding supplies through stores fronts that cater to book arts may help. Otherwise, look out at Michaels for when they do the sales on artist paper pads, and maybe give paper mache a thought unless you've got a need for a lot of paper used elsewhere.
Thanks, for this. I am doing a kinda video log starting this month of me starting down this path on my gaming channel. I appreciate the tips and tricks I get from watching your videos.
I found that by using spray foam insulation you can make things like cave pillars very easily. I'm not sure how to get a straight cut on the tops and bottoms of them as I don't have a hot wire, but I've eyeballed it pretty well using an Olfa utility knife. Would you mind experimenting with spray foam insulation and let us know what other creations you come up with? I can see the potential for amorphous terrain, larger monster figures (purple worm comes to mind), and perhaps small structures using this method.
In Dollarama there is the Elmer's foamcore which is also very easy to peal off. I don't know if I just had a weard batch or is it's standard. I've also seen Elmer's board at my local Walmart.
Im a roofer who works in new construction housing developments and i get all my xps foam from the dumpsters. sometimes it has dirt or concrete on it but that comes off pretty easy. same goes for PVC pipes.
To my fellow Canadians, for the paint go to Michales not the dollar tree, it’s 1.19 for most colours at Michaels and 1.25 at the dollar tree for less colours :)
Hey man, Literally binged watched the large majority of your videos this weekend! Love your intro and all your work so far, really good quality So full of inspiration, roll on payday and I'll order up some supplies.
Tip: if you're a thrifty crafter buy a good boxcutter with beefy blades like a olfa. You get a leather strip and add polishing/abrasive compound and strop the blade often and you wont need to replace blades all the time. Woodworking trick that works equally well for foam and the like
Very informative video. I've been doing models for years and there is always ALWAYS question and I just happened to stumble across this video and it answered many many questions. Thanks
Great video. Good information. If you are looking for other basics you could figure out to expand these kind of video's into a short series. I would suggest 1.) Measuring - one of the most important functions of crafting. squares, circles, 3 dimensions. Metric Imperial, Mini size Tools you can use were to read on each. rulers metal cork back etc. . . You could even get more involved into how to scale things for minis table tops and storage needs. 2.) Cutting - Knives blades, types of cutting how to circle, cutting squares out of the middle of your piece for windows etc. . and maybe including drilling because it is really cutting 3.) Gluing - You have covered a lot of this, but expand more on types of glue, uses for them. types of joints you use, when to re-enforce a joint with extra pieces and pinning 4.) Application - IE brushes bottles caulk and caulk guns. how to apply glue, spread mod podge, basic paints for base coats, spraying (several light passes over 1 heavy one) maybe what an airbrush is good for and the basics 5.) Finishing, IE flocking and painting, but really your channel has more than the basics on this. all you would need is the consistency of paint what you use it for how to apply it how to tell when it is dry etc. .
Just found this channel. I've been binge watching all of your videos, they are so informative and entertaining even though I don't think I'll ever build any of this.
Haters are like taxes. The more success you have the more there are. But they never outweigh the gifts that you bring to the table!!! You inspire me and all of us to bring our own gifts to the table. So do like that singer and shake, shake that bullcrap off!
Thanks so much for this video! I'm coming back to role-playing games after 30 years away, and your video is EXACTLY the kind of videos I'm looking for right now -- all my best!
Your knowledge and videos have been amazing. I have since followed your tutorials and have built many projects myself and thus elevated my game play, Aloha
Not new at all to the hobby, but always on the lookout for good tips and advice and seeing how others do things and what they use - which I have definitely found here on your channel. Great stuff! Only found this channel a couple days ago, but I'll be sticking around and checking out your videos.
Love the show! Just FYI in my Lowe’s in Kentucky right next to the insulation foam they have smaller ones cut out called “hobby foam” . There’s only one size but it’s 2’x2’. The only problem I have with it is it’s about 1”1/2 to 2” thick. I like the 1/4” foam. So I cut up the huge sheet. And trust me it will last awhile! But if there looking for something small. Ask around maybe it’s in your area too.
One thing I've found when cutting down thicker xps foam (without a hot wire cutter) is that my cuts often become angled on repeated cuts. To mitigate this, I run my blade half way through the piece, then carefully snap it the rest of the way. The resultant roughish edge can be sanded smooth very easily and you end up spending less time squaring your edge.
Super useful. Watch out for those nasties! I’m sure I speak for the community at large when I say you and the TTCG are an awesome asset to us crafters!!
The easy peel paper foam core is called Adam's ready board. Flite Test actually worked with them to get two custom versions of it manufactured for them. I believe you can find all three versions in their online store.
EVA= Ethylene-vinyl acetate, EVPA= Expanded polyvinyl alcohol, it's basically the same as EVA just more environmentally friendly, or did you mean the one called uPVC, PVC= Polyvinyl Chloride, it has plasticizers added to it to make it softer and flexible, the stuff your talking about is uPVC= unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride which is used to make the dense plastic. Either way thank you for all the great info, love the show, keep up the great work.
as a swiss i always get jealous when you guys talk about cheap material. you can get these five for like ten dollars. yeah, maybe one of them if im lucky xD
Recently found your channel, really like the quality and content of your videos! Not a tabletop modeller myself but have picked up some great techniques and ideas from you. This video was certainly helpful, good luck with the renovations!!!
I start to make my 3d dungeon for gloomhaven, thanks for the how to videos. I learn a lot... i have only trouble how to cut perfect hex... I print them on a4 cut the template and cutting on my proxxon.. If you can make one video on hex tile matter. Thanks, good work you did on your videos...
Should have waited till later in video to comment my bad. But for now its what i have. Using toilet paper and glue helps with making a "protective layer" over the thinner peices if you can cut it without tearing but is still super sensative. I have been excited about this hobby since i started watching your videos
What did I forget to include? Let's make a list!
1. In some regions XPS insulation foam comes with a thin, clear, protective film on it. You want to remove it before you use it for anything.
I know you have "Basics: How to get good, clean, straight cuts in XPS Foam (Black Magic Craft Episode 030)"
But one of the things that I struggled with in the beginning when working with something like a 2'x2' piece of xps and going straight the proxxon - the xpos is never plumb from the get go.
Getting a clean cut isn't necessarily the problem - if you follow the tips in episode 30 , which is a great place to start , it's more about but how can you get a piece straight and plumb - if you ended up with a crooked piece from having a not squared end of xps or forgot to get it squared off with the knife or even ran it through the proxxon and bumped it or ran it through cockeyed.
How can you get it back to square easily?
Did you watch the video I made about cutting foam squares? It's been a while since I made it so I don't remember exactly what I covered, but that was essentially what it was about.
@@BlackMagicCraftOfficial yeah, I went back and watched it. I was meaning more like big pieces. I invested in one of the large T squares which helped, along with practice. Just didn't ever think about the foam not being square from the store, so starting out things kept coming out cooked, before I started checking for the foam being square. Kind of "duh" moment. Maybe it was just me though.
Ah, gotcha. I misread 2'x2' in D&D tile terms as 2x2.....what you're talking about is a lot more difficult, and there isn't an easy fix. This is why when I do large pieces I attach them to mdf and overhang the foam on all edges then run it through the proxxon where the mdf base acts as a guide. The proxxon is just too small as is to use it for cutting 2' pieces accurately. I've seen some people build the machine into a larger table which works awesome if you have the space for that but I'd say most don't.
One other method is clamping a metal straight edge on top and bottom of piece, being sure they are in line with eachother, then use a handheld hotwire to make the cut using the two edges as rails. It's a bit tricky though.
Saw your recent post about struggling with content creation and some suicide awareness stuff, and I just want to say thank you for the amazing content you create. You got me into the crafting game. I cannot even play D&D steadily with friends but I love crafting. Keep up the great work, forget the haters and just do you bud. You do amazing work, keep it up! You are very inspirational to those of us who only wish we could do what you do for a living!
06:21 I can tell You all, that alcohol does not work. I've been drinking three days straight and paper stays in place.
hillharryass!! im crying totally got me! I thought it was serious at first!
I've been building military models and dioramas for 50 years (I'm old!). I've been using various techniques and discovering others for decades! This is the best 'basic tips and tricks' video I've ever seen. GREAT JOB, Jeremy!!! Thanks
Do you have any of your dioramas online?
@@travis8106 Yes, I post photo reviews of each of my projects on Armorama (as Bravo36)
One thing that I didn't quite "get" as a total beginner but am slowly coming to understand is the crafter's eye--that ability to take a look at something in the dollar store or craft store or big box home improvement store or even just your yard and say "hey, I can totally use this to do *blah*!"
Example: tons and tons of people in the crafting world do the whole wadded up ball of tinfoil to get a good stoney texture on foam but when I was adding lava rocks to my grill a while back I picked one up and said "aha!" and started using that instead. It's not really better at texturing but it is effectively reusable forever unlike the tinfoil balls that eventually lose their sharp points.
I know what you mean. We have been buying these Actimel yoghurt shots for years. Yesterday I though" Oh OH, wait, barrels tanks, boilers, player sized potion botles. Know my craft room has a box for empty yoghurt bottles...
I have recently been clearing my 10yo daughter room. Old toys, unused 'stuff' and 'things'. What a treasure trove! My favourite: My Little pony, she had like 5 or 6 wings from some various ponies that were lost or given away. Also, kinder egg toys (all those little levers and gears!), jewelry kits (hello beads and gems!), dog-chewed barbie (hair!), ikea cardboard storage boxes (got rid of cardboard, too damaged but kept gear-shaped nuts/bolts that were holding them together), few small horses and other animals (for statues and conversions)... and loads more!I was laughing like a crazy... and looked at as one too! ;)That was a good day... :)
After I started doing this - I never looked at my trash the same way again.
YUP!!! I see terrain ideas everywhere, packing materials etc I now am hording the plastic printer paper reels for columns. Heck I recently chopped up, glued and weighted my OJ bottle and am using it as my miniholder for painting and it works great. BEWARE THE EYE OF THE CRAFTER Lol.
Tom McClintock thank you, never thought of that! Time to work on my "eye" too!
After watching your videos my girlfriend and I sat down to craft some 3x3 tiles. Something so simple provided so much fun, and, our dnd sessions now have an exciting new element. Thank you, dude, you're like the Bob Ross of mini crafting.
Thanks for being a huge inspiration and also being so open about mental health. It means a lot.
Around 18:20, BMC mentions breaking down the big foam sheets into smaller sections. On two different occasions (the only times I've bought it) Home Depot/Lowes ran it through the wood cutter for me. At the time, I was making foam battle boards for 40k and had them cut into 4'x2' sections. Those were incredibly easy to manage and I later cut the extra sheet into smaller pieces for different purposes.
For all my Australian people, the XPS foam is called Knauf's insulation foam at Bunnings Snaghouse (warehouse)
Ah! Thank you!
If you drive past any housing development there is usually some in the bins, also loads of poly foam and other bits and pieces that are new but left over if you arent above doing some of your own recycling
3 years late but thanks mate!
I’ve been following this channel since the beginning and I can tell you that the basics series helped me so much when I was just starting out. I still reference them from time to time.
Lately I was interested in building some terrain on my own and started to search on YT for some tutorials. Accidentally I discovered your channel and I think it's totally awesome! Things you build, tips you give and tutorials you make are great, really. My skills in crafting got to the next level thanks to you. I just want to thank you for what you're doing. Dont stop:)
Watched your videos cause I wanted to build a ship model. Already had a glue gun, got some Mod Podge, foam core, tacky glue, and box knives from Dollar Tree. My ship model is looking epic, and it only cost around $8 US for all the materials! Thanks for making video's! Your Dollar Store builds are super helpful.
So glad videos like these get to be made. It is kind of daunting when someone already an expert simply zips through his build.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Just what I was looking for
Great to see a basics video that increases accessibility to the hobby. Please don’t feel you have to apologize for a topic. It’s your channel. It’s great. Do what you like. Thanks as always!
I was disappointed initially that we would not get to the painting part of the building this week, but you mentioned so many useful things here, that by the time the video ended, I was grateful you made it. And now I have to watch the 4 other videos you linked here because I found all the subjects of great interest.
Great video and thanks for alerting others about the floral wet/Oasis foam. Definitely a no go for crafting.
I bought a buttload of it already not realising how powdery it is. For filler material on large sculpts which will be covered in epoxy putties.
RIP your lungs. Get rid of it entirely.
So, I haven't actually attempted any terrain stuff yet, but you did inspire me to make some much needed things for my workspace using corrugated cardboard and some hot glue. I made a brush stand, and some stadium style risers for my paints! I'm new to the channel, but I've gotten a lot from your videos!
oh my god you're seriously an angel, thank you for helping to make this hobby so accessible to newcomers. i learn so much every time i watch one of your videos.
Great to see your craft room coming along so nicely. Truly a fantasy workshop for you to create in and your viewers to enjoy watching you in. I know I like to see shelves of your prior builds and figures painted up. Keep up the great work and we will continue to enjoy and be inspired by your creations.
I've done a lot of 'garbage crafting' - reusing plastic bottles, bits of broken toys, and the like. I showed a friend a building and they were impressed. Then I pointed out that the structure was an old shampoo bottle, the front door was a plastic bread wrapper clip, and the elevator was an old plastic film canister (ask your grandparents what "film" was). His eyes got wide as he started to recognize the various shapes of items others would have tossed. "How did you even think of that?" he asked. See things not as they are, but as they can be - the Crafter's Eye... :)
Beginner here. I sure wish I'd seen this a month ago. I did exactly as you said. I watched a bunch of videos and bought enough stuff to do miniature everything - ponds, mountains, paints galore (easel and canvases), sawdust, tapes, glues, rocks, wire, clay, tools, and for sure...Popsicle sticks! AND THEN I needed containers to put things in and got shelving for the containers. I live in a small apartment. Please know that before I buy even one more thing, I will try to find a video of yours on it first. LOL Thanks for being you!
not sure if anybody already said so, but EVA stands for Ethylene-vinyl acetate.
You can buy chipboard pads at Staples although they come only up to 11x17 and you have to buy them in huge stacks (400-800) for $70-$90
Near the end of the video you mention the level of interest and wanting to expand, new tools, better materials. What would be the next level for a Beginner becoming a Novice(Novice > Advanced > Experienced > Pro). Perhaps another idea for future videos. I started out doing Warhammer 40k miniatures for 3 years and got burnt out after that time and have now started crafting terrain just for kicks. I do know there are some tools and supplies out in the world that would be nice additions, but I would like to ask a Pro level crafter how to enhance the crafting game. Wonderful video, thank you for the refresher.
I personally think a basic hobby knife and cardboard is the most beginner you can get, in my experience. From there, a better knife like OLFA and foamboard are a step up. Getting into XPS foam and hot wire cutters is yet another step above that. Of course, all that can depend on personal experience and preferred medium :)
As usual, lots of great info. I truly appreciate it when a 'professional' takes the time to explain stuff so the beginner can jump in and become part of this great community. Thank you sir and please, please take care of yourself!
I remember discovering miniature wargaming back in 2009. I collected all the minis but by far the terrain crafting was my favorite aspect of that hobby. Eventually I gave it up because even the hyper-simplistic, step-by-step tutorials available online all produced mediocre results in my hands.
Circa 2017, I found you Jeremy. Your explanations, you suggestions, and your attitude on making something your own and not having to do everything perfectly or "by the book" awakened something in me. I'm glad videos like this exist to give others the same foundation of skills and inspiration to pursue the craft!
Pour les français: Le "Mod podge" 11:23 c'est du "Vernis colle", on peut en trouver en magasins de bricolage (Leroy Merlin, Castorama...) au rayon peinture ou dans les magasins d'art créatifs (Cultura...) au rayon de décorations de petits objets en MDF. Certains l'utilisent pour coller des serviettes en papier sur ces objets.
Totally overwhelmed myself. Within a month I got 2k of stuff (new to crafting/painting. had nothing).Been about 10 weeks. Didnt have a clue where to start. So far all ive done is organize (corkboard/shelves) made a hotwire foam cutter, made a case for minis, painted 7 minis, made 3 wire trees, 1 diorama and should be done with a tavern (wylochs) this weekend. Oh and cut around 3000 foam blocks for building some of your things. TY for the content!
Thanks big help.i love your show. I'm just starting with all this. I played D&D as a teen and now I'm 50 with 2 kids. And I dusted off my games for first time in many years.I'm now starting to play with my children . and for the first time I'm using miniatures. And I am loving it. So happy to find you.
I am just getting into the hobby myself, and have found all of your videos super helpful! In regards to buying XPS foam, I actually found that my local Home Depot sold little 2ftx2ft squares, made breaking into the hobby and transporting it super easy!
AH! You beat me to it! I was working on a video on this very topic. Oh well... yours turned out to be very informative and very much promoted the hobby for which I am very grateful. Keep up the inspirational work.
Great video content.
Note: Chipboard is used in book binding and picture framing. So you can often get it a crafting stores like Michaels. I think asking for chipboard at the right store will get the best results.
PS: I got really funny looks when I broke my 4x8 XPS down in The Home Depot parking lot. Luckily, the 2-inch thick board was already scored every 18-inches or so. Fit very nice in my mini-van Mazda 5.
Thank you for this video! I've made a few terrain pieces in my teen years and enjoyed it quite a lot. Now as an adult I want to get back into the hobby and this video really helped me create a list of the basic supplies I need to start creating again. I also saw that you have a video of great beginner projects that I will look into for sure.
Who are these 20-28 people who always give you a ‘thumbs down’? Your channel is awesome and even though I’ve adopted the virtual table top, your channel makes me want to craft and your stuff looks awesome. You are very professional. Thanks.
Maybe they are ex-girlfriends? I dunno. They are always there though.
Agree with Knight's comment. You are by far my favorite crafter on youtube. There's some amazing folks I see on twitter but they share their work, not the know how and examples of step by step like you do. I hope you can take some comfort in the huge group of us that appreciate what you do. BMC is the consistent, solid, useful, and professional crafting channel I go to weekly. I used to (and still do) look forward to RuneHammer videos each week. The two of you guys are truly inspiring and I know he was struggling for a bit too. Stay strong man. Love your work. Tell Hankerin to put out more content if he's up for it =) Ever considered doing scatter terrain for caves? I'm running Cavern of Archaia and there's a lot of shroom stuff going on in there. Would love to see the BMC version of a mushroom forest in a cave system. Good luck Jeremy.
You are speaking to me! 😍 Totally overwhelmed with all the vast amount of content. Finding your basics series to be fantastic thank you!
Hi sir,
just wanted to thank you for your content. i started tabletop crafting about 3 weeks ago. and i am learning heaps of you.
your video's and explanations help a lot!
I just want to thank you for all this info!…. I am one of those that just stumbled upon your videos, IT JUST POPPED UP! I’m an extremely crafty person and have spent the past hour watching several of your videos. In awe of this art. I’m not someone into D&D but am inspired to use this art in another way. I’m huge into Christmas, when decorating the inside of my house it looks like Hallmark Christmas on Steroids 😅…. I’ve been looking for inspiration on a long term stable way to make a gingerbread house village. I’m loving this and it’s not a huge craft investment, I have most of everything you’ve suggested….. again THANKS YOU!!
19:13 made me feel so much less intimidated :D on so many channels that work with Minis you see all these fancy tools that it sometimes feels like you get psyop'd into opting to buy these things but in the end, most of it can be outplayed by basic tools used the right way :D
I found this to be super useful. I am new in the hobby and totally dig it. But you hit the nail on the head I heard 1 million different things from 1 million different sources. This was the first helpful one I actually watched out of the two many to count before.
I've been in the hobby for 45 years, but I really welcome this kind of vid' once in a while. I always learn something new or I am reminded of something I'd forgotten (that's happening more and more these days!). So, many thanks for this and I'm off to get some ModPodge to try out.
You might hear the name "Blandco" thrown around. Blandco is the most handsome, talented and charismatic member of the Tabletop Crafting Guild.
Really helpful advice, especially the bit about just trying it out to see if you like the hobby. Thank you
Dude - you so should pin this on top of the Guild FB page. Rock on! - Edit - "Your first build isn't going to be very good anyway.." - I followed one of your build videos and my first build was AWESOME and is what got me hooked. Just sayin. Cheers!
Random Man Things BMC gives everyone else an edge in that he's encountered the setbacks that thwart the beginners and showed us how too avoid/fix them
@Black Magic Craft There is one thing I would like to see besides the basic tools/materials.... I recently became an empty nester and inherited my son's room! Now I have a game room to myself, but... how do you organize your room for crafting and for play?
Thanks for the help and all the inspirational videos and ideas for projects. It’s been a big help recently for me and your channel is my go to
"Hardboard" is HDF or High Density Fiberboard. It's a harder and denser version of MDF. You can find bigger sheets in many lumberyards/hardware stores.
For EPVC, talk to a sign printer. They fairly often have misprinted signs that they're happy to get rid of without having to pay their trash/recylcling company to haul away. And while you're asking about EPVC, you might want to ask about coroplast (corrugated plastic), which is basically like corrugated cardboard, but, you know, plastic. 8-) Buying full sheets of either is pretty expensive, not least in shipping, because you're not buying by the truckload.
Some people know hardboard by as Masonite, Quartrboard,[3] Isorel, hernit, karlit, torex, treetex[4] or pressboard. For a puzzle board I would get a two-side smooth board, so it doesn't deposit particles all over the place. For crafting, the one-side smooth would work, letting you glue to the non-smooth side, just don't add too much moisture, or it will swell and start degrading. - I did a lot of research into the stuff last year, for a different project.
Thanks for the video! You inspired me to get into crafting and now bringing my students into the crafting scene as well! Also, I find it cool that we share a name (I learned that a few weeks into exploring your channel) So, from one Jeremy to another, thank you for what you're doing here and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much for this. Knowing it's ok to start with cardboard is great.
Thanks too for the suicide awareness post. So important. Thank you so very much for all you do.
Thanks for all the awesome videos
I love the video you put out.
I think it would be beneficial to new crafters on basic household supplies you can find to build terrain. (Example: Tin cans, packaging and lids)
I've been hobby crafting with crude tools and materials since I could use a knife, I'm definitely looking to upgrade my entire kit, your breakdown of the kinds of foam reaffirms the conclusions I'd previously drawn, thank you, I wish I could fund your content, I promise the first commission profit is going to your channel.
I think that one item needs added to the beginner list of tools, especially for those folks who are going to be using XPF foam: a speed square. I recently bought a small one (8") made of rugged plastic for about $4 at Home Depot. I really wish that I had bought it sooner, and it really should in every crafter's tool-kit. If it serves no other purpose, "returning to square" is super fast and super easy. But it is a very versatile tool, and can replace a lot of other measuring devices.
Keep up the great work! Love the channel!
good place for foam is ask the local insulation installer, he will usually have a mountain of cut end pieces you can get for free or for real cheap. another great video for knowledge BMC.
Just started crafting and your channel is excellent, thanks!
Excellent info as always! I have learned so much from BMC! Thanks a million for all the tutorials and helpful info you put out for us. Also, looking forward to the new room tour!! : )
Well done on your production quality of your videos. It’s not easy, and you do a hell of a job.
Thank you! ‘Modge Podge’ drives me crazy!!
Thank you for this video, it is very informative. I enjoy your builds and catching up on the basics every now and then helps. As for building during your crafting time, I would just class that as crafting on a 1:1 scale. Thanks again.
Sometimes those large insulation foam sheets from the hardware stores have lines already scored into them so that you can break them apart into smaller pieces which makes it a bit easier to deal with as well. You have to look at one side or the other and you can see the score marks.
Just found this having found you fairly recently.
This was very useful and closed out some questions I had so thank you!
Loving you videos!
Thabk you so much!!! I've been looking for a material explanation video. And this is the first proper explanation.
This is a dog gone good start for basic materials. It is always a great idea to work with what is on hand and with the basic 10.00 worth of tools you suggested. Imagination is really the only key tool you really need and I think this video will spark a lot of imaginative ideas. As always great work. I am loving the look and overall feel of your videos as of late.
Yes. You answered my biggest question. "Can I just use gathered product foam?". Simply because I have a bunch and I don't want to spend a bunch on foam. Just found your channel and I've been looking into attempting my hand at crafting.
This is an awesome video. I have been in the crafting thing for a long time and knew most of this stuff but for anyone interested in crafting. This is a great beginning video. Awesome.
Chip board is used a lot in book binding too, so finding supplies through stores fronts that cater to book arts may help. Otherwise, look out at Michaels for when they do the sales on artist paper pads, and maybe give paper mache a thought unless you've got a need for a lot of paper used elsewhere.
I discovered the channel recently, and I'm binging it from the beginning. Still some more to go.
A big hello from France. ^^
Thanks, for this. I am doing a kinda video log starting this month of me starting down this path on my gaming channel. I appreciate the tips and tricks I get from watching your videos.
FOUND IT! Thanks this takes a LOT of mystery out of getting started! Let's see what I can build...
I found that by using spray foam insulation you can make things like cave pillars very easily. I'm not sure how to get a straight cut on the tops and bottoms of them as I don't have a hot wire, but I've eyeballed it pretty well using an Olfa utility knife. Would you mind experimenting with spray foam insulation and let us know what other creations you come up with? I can see the potential for amorphous terrain, larger monster figures (purple worm comes to mind), and perhaps small structures using this method.
readi-board is the best. Not only is it great for terrain, you can also make some really cool RC plains out of it
Thank you so much for your recommendations in this video. It has been very important for me.
In Dollarama there is the Elmer's foamcore which is also very easy to peal off. I don't know if I just had a weard batch or is it's standard. I've also seen Elmer's board at my local Walmart.
Meat trays and egg cartons are great sources for thin foam. Check art supplies stores for chip board, matte board and other paper.
Im a roofer who works in new construction housing developments and i get all my xps foam from the dumpsters. sometimes it has dirt or concrete on it but that comes off pretty easy. same goes for PVC pipes.
I was let on to your channel by a relative, good content man! Made my first house yesterday and it turned out awesome!!
To my fellow Canadians, for the paint go to Michales not the dollar tree, it’s 1.19 for most colours at Michaels and 1.25 at the dollar tree for less colours :)
Hey man, Literally binged watched the large majority of your videos this weekend! Love your intro and all your work so far, really good quality So full of inspiration, roll on payday and I'll order up some supplies.
Tip: if you're a thrifty crafter buy a good boxcutter with beefy blades like a olfa. You get a leather strip and add polishing/abrasive compound and strop the blade often and you wont need to replace blades all the time. Woodworking trick that works equally well for foam and the like
Very informative video. I've been doing models for years and there is always ALWAYS question and I just happened to stumble across this video and it answered many many questions. Thanks
Great video. Good information. If you are looking for other basics you could figure out to expand these kind of video's into a short series. I would suggest
1.) Measuring - one of the most important functions of crafting. squares, circles, 3 dimensions. Metric Imperial, Mini size Tools you can use were to read on each. rulers metal cork back etc. . . You could even get more involved into how to scale things for minis table tops and storage needs.
2.) Cutting - Knives blades, types of cutting how to circle, cutting squares out of the middle of your piece for windows etc. . and maybe including drilling because it is really cutting
3.) Gluing - You have covered a lot of this, but expand more on types of glue, uses for them. types of joints you use, when to re-enforce a joint with extra pieces and pinning
4.) Application - IE brushes bottles caulk and caulk guns. how to apply glue, spread mod podge, basic paints for base coats, spraying (several light passes over 1 heavy one) maybe what an airbrush is good for and the basics
5.) Finishing, IE flocking and painting, but really your channel has more than the basics on this. all you would need is the consistency of paint what you use it for how to apply it how to tell when it is dry etc. .
Just found this channel. I've been binge watching all of your videos, they are so informative and entertaining even though I don't think I'll ever build any of this.
Haters are like taxes. The more success you have the more there are. But they never outweigh the gifts that you bring to the table!!! You inspire me and all of us to bring our own gifts to the table.
So do like that singer and shake, shake that bullcrap off!
Thanks so much for this video! I'm coming back to role-playing games after 30 years away, and your video is EXACTLY the kind of videos I'm looking for right now -- all my best!
completely overwhelmed with the basics? yep!
Preordered a 3d printer, and am scrambling to get this new hobby underway
Your knowledge and videos have been amazing. I have since followed your tutorials and have built many projects myself and thus elevated my game play, Aloha
Not new at all to the hobby, but always on the lookout for good tips and advice and seeing how others do things and what they use - which I have definitely found here on your channel. Great stuff! Only found this channel a couple days ago, but I'll be sticking around and checking out your videos.
Love the show! Just FYI in my Lowe’s in Kentucky right next to the insulation foam they have smaller ones cut out called “hobby foam” . There’s only one size but it’s 2’x2’. The only problem I have with it is it’s about 1”1/2 to 2” thick. I like the 1/4” foam. So I cut up the huge sheet. And trust me it will last awhile! But if there looking for something small. Ask around maybe it’s in your area too.
One thing I've found when cutting down thicker xps foam (without a hot wire cutter) is that my cuts often become angled on repeated cuts. To mitigate this, I run my blade half way through the piece, then carefully snap it the rest of the way. The resultant roughish edge can be sanded smooth very easily and you end up spending less time squaring your edge.
Super useful. Watch out for those nasties! I’m sure I speak for the community at large when I say you and the TTCG are an awesome asset to us crafters!!
The easy peel paper foam core is called Adam's ready board. Flite Test actually worked with them to get two custom versions of it manufactured for them. I believe you can find all three versions in their online store.
Foamcore is also great for making GM screens.
As i have just started, thank youuuuuuuuuuu so much!
EVA= Ethylene-vinyl acetate, EVPA= Expanded polyvinyl alcohol, it's basically the same as EVA just more environmentally friendly, or did you mean the one called uPVC, PVC= Polyvinyl Chloride, it has plasticizers added to it to make it softer and flexible, the stuff your talking about is uPVC= unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride which is used to make the dense plastic. Either way thank you for all the great info, love the show, keep up the great work.
as a swiss i always get jealous when you guys talk about cheap material. you can get these five for like ten dollars. yeah, maybe one of them if im lucky xD
Australian here, I feel your pain.
Free markets and free minds Bro!
Recently found your channel, really like the quality and content of your videos! Not a tabletop modeller myself but have picked up some great techniques and ideas from you. This video was certainly helpful, good luck with the renovations!!!
I start to make my 3d dungeon for gloomhaven, thanks for the how to videos. I learn a lot... i have only trouble how to cut perfect hex... I print them on a4 cut the template and cutting on my proxxon.. If you can make one video on hex tile matter. Thanks, good work you did on your videos...
I have been saving up dor the spf insulation foam but have been using styrophome to practice my painting and blending
Should have waited till later in video to comment my bad. But for now its what i have. Using toilet paper and glue helps with making a "protective layer" over the thinner peices if you can cut it without tearing but is still super sensative. I have been excited about this hobby since i started watching your videos