Let's Make - Cheap & Easy Tarmac & Cobblestone Wargaming Roads

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In this Let's Make, we continue our countryside scenic series with tarmac and cobblestone roads, looking at a few different techniques to get some great cheap effects whilst avoiding warping.
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[@Hobbyrepubliken]

That sandpaper idea is just brilliant

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Old ways are always the best

[@joshjohnston7388]

It really is. Absolute genius.

[@mg_mtb9709]

@@TheTerrainTutor I'm about to use that method on my first project it's just a road, path and dirt (the whole thing is about the size of a4 paper) I'm also using cardboard as my base

[@macphadraig4154]

Really loving the embossed cobbles...fantastic!

[@scottroberts7875]

coming back to this miniature madness after a brief hiatus of 10 years, stumbled on your cobbles vid, hunkered down in your bunker vid , got stuck behind the parapet in the trench's... now being busy, attempting creations .... Thanks a whole heap, ATVB. Scott Somerset

[@MKalavera111]

Stunning ideas. Thanks for sharing Mel

[@SupernovaJBombastic]

Also we need terrainiac shirts that say "Get Cracked on" , "What are you doing Bose?" and "Watchamacallit"

[@FaithintheFat]

Travis Keating and "all flocked up"

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

Travis Keating I would buy a watchamacallit shirt if the profits went to Mel. Mel Merch ftw!

[@Rusty_Gold85]

" Get Tuft "

[@TheTerrainTutor]

You're forgetting 'Engage the brain Boseicle!' :-D

[@euansmith3699]

"Get Flocked" ;)

[@shayulghul]

Great tutorial. Your channel is one of the reasons I got into crafting.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Awesome sauce mate!

[@steviegibson5847]

Brilliant. Thanx for sharing.

[@BillWD]

Mel you're a legend, great videos - fantastic results from simple materials and you seem a top bloke too!

[@davidholman1258]

Absolutely brilliant- I’m now off to B&Q!

[@stephenbeck8753]

I’m enjoying your tutorials. Some very clever ideas. I can’t help thinking, however that I’m listening to Moss from The IT Crowd. Don’t take this the wrong way, Moss rocks!

[@josephsilk9798]

I love it,what a good idea. I'm going to use this on my railway layout

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad it helped mate

[@Cherokie89]

"Essentially, it's FREE!" lmao

[@gsilcoful]

Thanks. Very clever.

[@johnnynuttall9851]

Great vid Mel,some cracking ideas. Love the "home made" brush cobbles, great method for making stone walls as well.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Indeed bud :-)

[@rrrailservicehoscalemodelr4734]

Great tutorial. I will try some of that with my layout.

[@mikepeterson3899]

Can't wait to try some of these techniques. Great tutorials!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks matey

[@jjab99]

Another great video Mel and a very useful one too, many thanks for sharing the skills and knowledge, Joe

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It's what I do bud ;-)

[@charlotteroberts1354]

Signed up to $3 a month. Keep up the amazing work, Mel!

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

Charlotte Roberts You're a champ!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Awesome, thank you! :-D

[@IamRobotMonkey]

Mate you are a genius. Loving the cobbles! Definitely going to use that method in my model railway village. :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Awesome, glad it helps mate

[@Kage321]

Excellent work as always Mel!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks buddy

[@luboloki2726]

Great ideas, good video. Well thank you. I wish you a lot of success.

[@needlesbeckett]

Great tutorial ❤

[@harviegemmell8697]

Excellent work and very Informative 😎

[@AFV85]

Your 3rd one with the Individual brush stamps is cool as ! Looks brilliant I'm gonna try that deffo cheers for.the video's

[@shaundaly1134]

Fantastic.

[@briancochrane1054]

Bravo.

[@mrcarlo1966]

So helpful ,thank you!

[@tmntm4ni4c]

Thank you so much! I've been waiting for a cobblestone tutorial :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

You're one of many ;-)

[@dmather6007]

The paint brush method for cobblestone looks great. I would think brass rod could be shaped similarly it achieve the same effect. I am using some of your different videos for model backdrops. Thanks for the videos!

[@hectorrosario904]

Thanks so much for this video!

[@georgetaylor5482]

Great vid Mel, really like the carved cobble stones, the sandpaper road, what a great idea.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Old ways are always the best bud

[@jackhartford521]

Damn man great work.

[@rickbarg3980]

Great work I’ll try some,I have a pre made cobble,it’s air brushed light grey,so you say use a cream colour ,cheers🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@GrayArmyGaming]

Nicely done. The larger cobblestones road looked especially nice. Labor intensive, but the final result looks pretty good.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

the best ways are typically the longest bud

[@johndonnellan5794]

Great tutorial

[@halforcph]

Thanks for this! I was about to go mad casting my cobble stone mold from hirstarts to create a 3' x 3' board for Frostgrave, this will be so much quicker, off to B & Q in the morning!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Win! and soo much lighter!

[@gohanjones7755]

Thank you , just the info I needed right place right time. . . Contemplating the patrion thing either way I'm going to donate a few dollars as this page is amazing and needs to keep going . I live in a small town near a small town in Australia just west of the blue mountains there isn't any hobby shops here ,about fifty Ks one way is my local great guys and girls and then about sixty the other way is the more city type hobby shops so I'm always trying to find the cheap and easy ways to do my building . This page will help a lot thank you

[@e-4airman124]

Awesome Terrain Tutor!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks mate

[@jeffjustice6185]

you make it look so easy, lol. Love your videos.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It;s not hard mate, just give it a go ;-)

[@MrPorkmann]

Good video. Wallpaper is often overlooked. Some very effective patterns are available in "B&M" shops. Embossed sets are really effective.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

You gotta love old school mate ;-)

[@needlesbeckett]

Thanks

[@michaelcauser474]

Thank you Mel. The challenge for my 73yo brain for some time now has been to make a couple of country roads look like the ones near my old village in East Kent. Within 1/2 hour of finishing your video I had grade 1 sandpaper cut to the road shape I needed. Glue it down tomorrow when the daughter is out as she doesn't like the smells. Your painting advice has solved the second issue with colour matching to Google Maps images. Hard to do otherwise from Aus. Thanks again.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Have fun!

[@benstampton2048]

If you sand the sandpaper you get a amazing cracked asphalt effect, and it looks closer to the real thing!

[@euansmith3699]

That indented cobble road looks excellent. Very Warmachine.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I keep hearing warmachine, I'm gonna have to check it out

[@uelrindru]

love the old cobblestone look really want to make one of these now. Just need a paintbrush to sacrifice.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It is a worth sacrifice!

[@lafeyetteransom5689]

Very cool

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers mate

[@gerrybvr]

Yet another great video Mel. That wallpaper looks to me more like cobblelock paving for driveways etc. DIY store here I come ;-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Happy sampling!

[@IDICBeer]

Awesome work mate

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers bud

[@Enriquelopez-xw2uh]

fantastico..eres todo un artista creando bases para dioramas

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks

[@jeffrey8361]

Haha, your a bloody legend mate. Made me crack up when you said how expensive it was so you pinch a few free samples while no ones watching, that's right up my alley too. ;) BTW, really enjoyed the video, some fantastic ideas I'm sure I'll use in the very near future

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Crafty crafting bud ;-)

[@loupiscanis9449]

Paths and raods through time, Thanks ,

[@TheTerrainTutor]

very much so mate

[@smoessmee]

I much prefer the version on the foam. As usual, when you put the time into something it always looks better.

[@patrickbenjamin9056]

Even better than sandpaper is used and worn cloth belts from an electric sander. It's stiff yet thin and the worn areas add dirty, naturally, random color. Of course, you need access to them, but if you can you won't be disappointed.

[@RickPlumb]

Your voice is a beautiful mix of Al Murray meets Neil Buccannon! This is a War Attack, This is a War Attack. :D Love your work!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I've heard Neil B plenty of times but Al is a new one, love it!

[@josedejesuslopezrivera6046]

Genial! ando buscando como hacer un suelo para mis tanques (i love it)

[@WrightCricket]

Wouldn't the grit on the sandpaper damage the underside of models? Also, what's the best grit to use to get the desired effect?

[@michaeltubbs4606]

"Looking rather spanky". Love the lingo!

[@michaelmanning5379]

Very nicely done.I'd be tempted to put a drainage ditch on either side of the road to provide cover for troops. You could also use longer static grass to suggest the high weeds and reeds that grow in ditches if you don't want to hide figures in them.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I was saving that the for end of level boss! ;-)

[@mooncabbagere]

Great work Mel! I always wondered about the sandpaper. I have noticed on this video and the last, your clump foliage is a bit regularly spaced. It looks a bit un-natural. Anyway, keep it up, can't wait to see what's next!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yeah, I noticed that too, but only after I'd filmed it lol

[@HeroesBosses]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who has ruined dishes in the house for their hobby ;)

[@JupiKitten]

thats what thrift store plates are for :P

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Who said they were from a thrift store, I just grab them from the kitchen mate ;-)

[@dave_s_vids]

Love the cobbles, they look awesome! Mel, you have got to sort out the white balance on your camera for the still shots at the end!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I know, I'm using my phone as I don't have a proper camera, I need to get it on a tripod as well. Fingers cross, I'll have that side sorted in the new year bud

[@earlteagrey]

Thank you for the "Let's Make" series! What channel did you say you saw the metal paintbrush tip-trick? Keep up the fantastic work!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That would be Dread Lunn's channel - SolventAbuseUK

[@mikaelholmes195]

Hey Mel! Love the roads. Working on some Gaslands terrain. Looking to make elevated overpass. Just not to keen on how to keep hotwheels/matchbox on the 35° parts. Do you Have any ideas? Planning on useing basic Styrofoam for the bases and walls covered with spackle and useing corkboard fpr broken asphalt.

[@andrebrooks1961]

you are a terrain making god

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers bud :-)

[@macphadraig4154]

I was thinking how you would get the shape, using the base you use, I appreciate the techniques are the same, once again thanks, p.s. I am a newbie to the hobby.

[@mg_mtb9709]

Same I m using cardboard as my base so it made it hard for me to find a tutorial I could use

[@anders6227]

Hi Mel. could you please teach us a frugal way to make barrels, boxes and crates for mordheim terrain? Love your videos! thanks a bunch

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yeah, of course mate ;-)

[@JupiKitten]

Awesome as always, why did I think about sandpaper? Really looking forward to the urban series. Exactly what I need!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Shouldn't be long now mate

[@gwrulzmylife]

Thanks for the candy bar at Adepticon!! See you at Gen Con?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

not at GenCon mate but I'll be back at Adepticon!

[@BrianAndrews73]

Another great video but I have one observation. Most cobbled streets I know have lighter cement than the cobbles themselves in the same way that a brick wall has sandy coloured cement and darker bricks. Great ideas though, I'd just paint them different. ;)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

If you wanna go full bore, engrave and paint, then do the brushy filler thing, you'll get that effect mate ;-)

[@Hellinacar]

Great stuff, what grit would you recommend for the sand paper?

[@jasonmolyneux6615]

brilliant tutorial! what type of plasticard do you use and where from? many thanks!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Now all you have to do is repeat that 50 or 60 times! lol This looks nice but takes time. Love the hand cobbled one, it looks so much more natural. The wallpaper is nice, but it looks very manufactured and brand new. Is there anywhere in the world they're still doing roads in cobblestone anymore? Great little video Mel, thanx.

[@SupernovaJBombastic]

I don't think it takes too long if you run it through in an assembly line like fashion. And you don't need to go all out on the details if you don't want to which probably speeds it up

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Actually, in europe, they are, they just have machines that lay them instead of being done by hand. We have a lot of cobblestone, going back to roman times all the way through the medieval, tudor, edwardian and victorian times (plus all the others I can't remember in between) and it's typically listed which means it's protected and so if it's repaired, it has to be done in the same way, look, materials as the original piece. Listed status can apply to houses, castles, roads, even ditches mate. See, you've learned something new today :-D

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Well ya learn something new every day! Thanx, I wasnt aware of that.

[@AFV85]

Glue 3 or 4 in the pattern together on the end of a brush handle it'll still come out the same only bitty quicker haha

[@afetbinttuzani]

The other advantage of spray adhesive over pva for sticking down the sandpaper and wallpaper is the fact that spray adhesive does not introduce moisture, so the foam-core won't warp.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

e-pvc is water resistant mate

[@jamesmoyon5264]

That looks fantastic and achievable even for a novice like me. But where do you get your grit?

[@Tatsumaru117]

Question, what kind of texture is that wallpaper? I'm trying to find some in the states, your videos have inspired me to make some of my own terrain. I'm rubbish at painting armies, but great with vehicles and terrain (anything without a face and fiddly bit, to be quite honest) anyway, cheers, looking forward to a reply! :)

[@venomguy6381]

I can't seem to find any of the embossed wallpaper in the US, or at least, where I live.

[@seanwilby1411]

I’m new to this , but were do I get Blue poly base from , also what colour Grey for Cobble Stones . When I get the bits , I will start .

[@macksokolowski]

Hey up Mel! Love you stuff.....absolutely genius! Could you tell me which flock are you using? The one you have it’s just bang on! Thanks

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Javis premium range

[@dancarson1479]

Wall paper 👍🏼

[@dl-3183]

So I saw in one of your frames the greenstuff world rolling pins. Have you done a review of them ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Texturing foam in the urban playlist mate

[@LoliVomits]

What grit sandpaper would look the best for this?

[@sam061971]

Mel, love the videos. Have so much to do I don't have the time. Love the foam board ruins you did a while back, going to give them a try. Just a quick question, would the measurements you used bet ok with 1/35 scale figures/models? Btw trying to become a patron but keeps kicking me out but I will preserve.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Use a model and some graph paper to dry run in, get a door in scale and then work from there. If you're not sure, mock it up with corrugated cardboard and tape to get an idea before you start properly. Are you still having problems with patron?

[@sam061971]

Yeah, I get to the pay page and it says problem with server, try again later. I then try PayPal it it just goes blank. Does it matter that I'm trying on an iPad?

[@sam061971]

Can't believe I wrote preserve instead of persevere hahaha

[@carbon1255]

Give it a go on PC. Sometimes mobile devices have issues.

[@macphadraig4154]

Any tips for T junctions, curves and Y pieces?.....that would be awesome

[@TheTerrainTutor]

They're just different shapes, not different when it comes to technique

[@aimhigher123]

Brilliant video, just a quick question instead of the milliput can you use air drying clay or is it better off investing getting some milliput? Thanks!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Depends on the board, just it a test and go from there

[@TheBrewersDroop]

Don't think I'll be buying your coffee!

[@Pelupu]

coudl you please provide the link where can i buy the rollers?

[@JeffDrennen]

next time you use drywall compound use just a drop of dishwashing liquid to thin it out.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Why dishwasher liquid over water?

[@bigphil6980]

hi i am looking into making some tarmac roads for FoW Team Yankee is it possible to still paint the white lines on the sand paper road surface without it wrinkling up.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yep, check my urban boards vid in the urban playlist mate

[@nickjones2470]

Bit of a late commenter I know but what is the full name of the two types of foam you use.

[@timothyclarke7689]

I always enjoy your tutorials. Could I make an observation. This is not a criticism. Your cobbled roads are laid the wrong way. Cobbles or sets, should be laid long edge in line across the road, This allows rain water to flow freely from the central camber to the gutter at the roads edge when it rains. The way you made the road, the water has to take a zig zag route to the road edge. Try it, see what a difference it makes. Your wallpaper technique is great I´m am glad I don´t have shares in BandQ

[@SupernovaJBombastic]

Wallpaper isn't popular in my area (or I'm assuming it isn't because I never see it at the Home Depot (B&Q for the states). But I wonder if you could use those anti-skid mats you place under large rugs to keep them from sliding all over hardwood flooring. It runs for about $20 USD for a 2 foot by 20 foot roll but I'm sure you can find it in smaller sizes for cheaper...But I suppose if you need a lot of roads you could bang out 70 or so roads from a single road

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I've no idea mate, can't ever really remembering seeing them, of if I have, I hadn't taken notice from a terrain point of view. Give it a go and let me know how you get on bud

[@Vemrah]

incredible channel .. where the heck i was ... ! ...

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks matey

[@CaptainBipto]

I am looking to start building my own terrain. But not sure how much foamboard to get. Need enough buildings, ruins, and scatter terrain for a 4 foot by 4 foot board for 28mm scale skirmish game.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

A2 sheet will do you fine mate

[@CaptainBipto]

TheTerrainTutor Thanks for the reply Mel. Loving your channel. I was looking at a pack of 10 A3 foamboard on ebay. So that would be more than enough? I have some templates for buildings, similar to the buildings designed for Infinity. Also have some paper terrain. And looking at other scratch built terrain. And those in videogames, Borderlands, XCOM 2, Wasteland 2 etc. Going to be using these for inspiration. I was looking at your foamboard building series. Would you suggest adding features similar to butresses, pipework etc.. To give the buildings more character? Looking forward to more videos. Have a great xmas and new years.

[@carbon1255]

I would recommend the PVC foam that mel uses for bases. They also sell 3mm version that is brilliant for walls and this stuff is super durable. Normal foam board wears out easily. Go and put a little bit more into it and get some of that. Little harder to cut, but it is worth it, get the sharpest utility knife you can. foamboard melts under spraycans and can peel if you leave the paper on. PVC stuff is absolutely the best! and all those techniques still work, except you need less strengthening. You can get it in similar sizes. Better than spending all your time and then get sad if it breaks! wish i started using it is what i mean, have to slowly replace all my foamboard stuff with it.

[@euansmith3699]

In Mel's video on making foam core ruins, he uses one A4 sheet to make a largish ruined corner; so with 10 A3 sheets you would be able to make around 20 of those :D That would be a big of table full of terrain.

[@joshjohnston7388]

I did the math, and buying it in a 4x8 sheet (as you would insulate a basement with) was most economical, and i have foam board to burn.

[@alejandrotabilo1988]

Hi Great video, how do you seal it? Cheers

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Matt spray or pva mate

[@ElizabethAlleman]

Wondering if you ever did a video on how to do flagstone paving, say a la Roman roads.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

not beyond my urban boards mate

[@topgun9686]

now if you can give me a method to do a city like road with sidewalks, intersections, and turns that be great

[@terrain-hardy]

yes.. good one And ALL the "Let's make" serie in a City/urban apocalyptic style...only those that make sense, of course It would be so cool... ;-))

[@DaytonaRoadster]

TopgunProductions just reduce the size. hes already showed u how to do it

[@poordiceman]

TERRAIN HARDY

[@michaelmanning5379]

Use the popsicle sticks that Mel showed in the dirt road video. But, instead of covering them with filler/spackle use tile-pattern plasticard from Evergreen. This will make the sidewalk stand proud of the road surface. Then finish the inner edges with some rectangular plastic rod. Get fancy and round the edge like a curb. Add in a storm sewer grate and a manhole cover here and there.

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

This is the country side series, I'm sure Mel will follow with an urban series!

[@yousufbrookhouse3504]

Did you just seal the diall? :D

[@cornelishenk4569]

Drybrush is with a lighter colour ?(maby a dumb question)

[@thekameleon9785]

Whats the stuff called wich used for base?