Miniature Desert Buildings and Ruins - Quick and Easy Wargaming Terrain for Tabletop Games

We're finally back to some good old fashioned wargaming terrain tutorials now. This week I use up some offcuts and foam scraps from previous builds and put together some really simple desert buildings and ruins for our wargaming terrain table. These turned out to be a very simple build, and so I ended up making a few of these for the video, and the table. It's also really simple to create variations on these buildings to easily get many variations.
I hope you enjoy the video, and like, comment or subscribe. If you would like to support the channel and help me bring more Wargaming Terrain and miniature painting content, please consider checking out my Patreon page.
Thanks to the ‪@TheArmyPainter‬ for the wonderful paints and materials.
Videos linked in this tutorial:
Showing the 45 degree cutter:
Build This Huge Building for Wargaming & Dioramas - Perfect for Warhammer, Bolt Action, Walking Dead
• Build This Huge Buildi...
Showing the handheld foam cutter as a table cutter:
Build This Huge Building for Wargaming & Dioramas - Perfect for Warhammer, Bolt Action, Walking Dead
• Build This Huge Buildi...
Shipping containers:
Build Miniature Shipping Containers for Wargaming Terrain and Tabletop Games
• Build Miniature Shippi...
Thanks to all my patreon supporters, and all the viewers of the channel recently, it has been wonderful to see and hear about so many people enjoying the content and tutorials so far. Please remember to like and subscribe if you enjoy the video, and you can now join the RFDHobby KZbin Membership if you would like to support the channel in that way.
/ @rfdhobby
Thank you to Leif from ‪@DevsDice‬ for providing the sweet intro!
PATREON:
/ rfdhobby
DONATE:You can donate to the channel via Paypal and I'll send out my Patreon posts via email as well (this helps to avoid sales tax), just remember to send me an email via [e-mail] to ensure I add you to the mailing list:
paypal.me/RFDHobby
#wargamingterrain #tabletopgames #miniatureterrain #warhammer

[@TheGreatCharlie123]

your stare alone brings this terrain into existence

[@RFDHobby]

I'll take it 👍

[@TheGreatCharlie123]

hahahhaha, it was a good one, admit it.@@RFDHobby

[@MariaMorales-ol6tj]

this is great ive been looking for people who craft simple houses

[@RFDHobby]

So glad you like it. I had to find a way to clear out some of my off-cut foam pieces that I keep storing around the place :). Thank you for the comment!

[@nowthisnamestaken]

3 and 1/2 Cm x 1 " I love it.! Redi Board is the cheap board that the paper peels right off of.

[@norcalonline1]

These are fantastic. Top notch, mate. It makes me think back to around 2005 when I purchased a heavy, expensive resin model of a desert building. Now, I know I can make the same thing myself out of cheap materials AND have a great time doing it. Thanks for the inspiration. Your channel is awesome. Keep on truckin'.

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks mate. Glad you like them. A great way to use up some odd off-cuts and scraps of foam and get some quick terrain on the table. The sandy base really helps to finish these off if you can manage to make some up as well. Thank you for the comment. Happy New Year.

[@NatesMiniatures]

Glad you are getting some use out of the hot foam cutter mate, and thank you for the shout out. Happy New Year!

[@RFDHobby]

It worked great for these stairs man. Thanks for watching. Happy new year.

[@jonathondaniels2127]

These look great. The paint job is perfect to be interesting but not to distract from your minis.

[@RFDHobby]

Thank you mate, I agree, the miniatures should really still stand out in amongst these buildings. Cheers for the comment, and happy new year to you!

[@RFDHobby]

**UPDATE** : There was an error in the links used in this video pointing to the details about the 45 degree foam cutting tool I made. I have fixed this link now (1:41 in the linked video), but it just means the following linked video (using a handheld foam cutter as a table cutter), will no longer be there (can't link the same video twice), so just keep in mind the details of those tools are in the same video linked here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3Obkmhsid-bers . Happy new year everyone. I managed to round out this year with one last terrain video. I hope you enjoy this quick build of some desert terrain. It's been a great year for the channel, and I've appreciated all the support and views you guys have given me. If you'd like to check out some more terrain and hobby videos, you can check out my playlist here : kzbin.info/aero/PLe_8I2r9DImvVVHtI-RZDyh08h338OnZ2 .

[@onkelgroen]

I really like how a Middle eastern board looks! Maybe once I clear my back log of projects... xD

[@RFDHobby]

haha, I know the feeling!

[@simonmears4073]

Really cool terrain I can’t wait to see the battle mat that accompanies them. Really enjoying your channel and working my way through your back catalogue.

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks Simon, I have a few ideas for new battlemats given they're quite easy and cheap to make. Thanks for watching and commenting mate. Take care. Cheers.

[@xommul79]

These look great. For 40K we also need need taller 5”+ and they need to be thinner and breachable. So portions of ruins and doors and windows. Thanks for your great vids.

[@RFDHobby]

Cheers. I'm always looking for bigger and better builds to try, and I'm not familiar enough with the mechanics of games to figure out details like these. Thanks for your comment mate. Glad you enjoy the channel. Let me know if you have any specific requests and I can see what I can do in the future. Take care and all the best in 2021.

[@echodelta2426]

Great looking terrain. Love the simplicity of the build

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks very much mate. Happy new year and thank you for the comment too.

[@mikesmith2905]

In the UK Amazon sell stuff branded as 'greyboard' (a term usually associated with thick cardboard in the UK) which does not have the paper backing. I've been using the 5mm thick stuff for desert buildings and had no problems.

[@RFDHobby]

Nice, I haven't heard of greyboard before. I wonder if it's the same as the 'chipboard' we use here, I know it comes in a couple of different thicknesses. Thanks for the tip, and thank you for watching mate.

[@returnofthetwats190]

@@RFDHobby not sure if you've found out since, but yeah, the chipboard you guys in the US use is pretty much the UK's greyboard.

[@mxkinist]

This is cool stuff. I'm working on a North African Campaign diorama and this will be of great help. Cheers!

[@RFDHobby]

Glad you found it helpful. That project sounds very cool, and this sort of thing should fit well. Thanks for watching, and for commenting mate. All the best with your diorama.

[@edevans5991]

Nice video. If you want to give the exposed edges of the ruined buildings a rough texture you could use PVA and kitty litter. And cut up sprue makes convincing brick rubble.

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks for the tips Evan. I'll try that out in the future. Cheers mate.

[@DevsDice]

Nice one Shawn! I do have to say that the pinkish wasteland look is growing on me. That way it does look good in multiple environments! Good one mate! 🤘

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks Leif. Happy new year mate!

[@eBiCrafter]

beautiful results

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the comment, and I'm glad you like the build. Happy New Year!

[@Hellinacar]

Really nice, may use this for my next project

[@RFDHobby]

Great to hear, good luck with it, I hope it turns out as you plan. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@W.edgewargames]

Fantastic stuff. Thanks for the ideas and techniques.

[@RFDHobby]

No problem at all, and thank you for the comment mate. Good luck with your builds.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Love the rounded edges on the walls. One of the worst things about MDF buildings is the sharp rectilinear edges on everything - makes them look so unnatural.

[@zargonfuture4046]

Love your tutorials, can see you are a wargamer when you said 3 to 3 & 1/2 cm by an inch for the doors, lol I totally get it. Cheers

[@RFDHobby]

Glad you like them! Yeah, I'm bad for interchanging measurements on a whim. :)

[@kingreem1741]

Your terrain is always awesome

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks so much mate.

[@earlkriewall7251]

Greetings. I've seen a couple of your other episodes (barrels and telephone poles) and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the work you're doing. I'll be checking out your other videos to see what else you can teach me. Thank you and have a great New Year.

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks Earl. Glad you're enjoying the videos mate. Happy new year, and thank you for the comment, I really appreciate it.

[@johnmudd6453]

Have you thought of building a foreign legion fort ? It would look awesome with that technique

[@RFDHobby]

I hadn't considered that, but looking at some pictures I can see exactly what you mean. It really would lend itself nicely to that look, it might be something for a future project I think. Thank you so much for watching and commenting mate.

[@arjade_24]

Looks awesome

[@RFDHobby]

Thank you!

[@davidhardstaff8110]

When putting rock scatter on a teaspoon is your friend

[@RFDHobby]

You magnificent bastard! How have I not heard of or considered this before? I feel like an idiot now, but thank you for this comment mate!

[@johnkelley9877]

Excellent work! They are really nice looking. Thanks for sharing this and have a Happy New Year.

[@RFDHobby]

Happy new year John. Thanks for watching mate.

[@HacksawsHobbyBunker]

Nice work as always! Super useful build.

[@RFDHobby]

Thank you very much. I really loved those industrial lights you did on your channel too mate, keep up the great work. Glad you enjoyed this one, and happy new year to you.

[@hobbydayz9140]

Awesome episode

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks Patrick, glad you enjoyed it. Have a great new year mate. Thanks for the comment as well.

[@karldeverinne7877]

Brilliant

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks mate! I appreciate the comment. Cheers.

[@TheWeakenedWarrior]

Those look great!

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks so much!

[@TheWeakenedWarrior]

@@RFDHobby No problem. Keep making cool content!

[@jirhonarmstrong4107]

Great video my friend, you do a amazing job as always

[@RFDHobby]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate the comment too. Have a great new year mate.

[@jirhonarmstrong4107]

@@RFDHobby you’re very welcome my friend happy new year to you too

[@robertkaupinis4875]

Love your videos, l learn more from watching your vids than anyone else on KZbin, just wish your videos were a little longer bud understand that the content is better than how long they are. Keep them coming and God bless, stay safe

[@RFDHobby]

Thank you so much Robert, really great to hear that you're getting value from the videos. If there's anything I skip over or that you need more information on, just let me know, and I'll help where I can. Plenty more to come. Thank you for the comment!

[@TheRavenhelm]

Looks great!

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks mate!

[@starhand09]

Did you make a video of how you made the 45° cutter??

[@RFDHobby]

Hey mate. You can find details of the 45 degree cutting tool at 1:41 in this video here. Sorry about the confusion with the link... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3Obkmhsid-bers

[@dartmart9263]

There’s no way that our American cereal box card could remain flat with so much moisture put on top of it. Ours curls and the layers separate, as soon as it gets moisture.

[@RFDHobby]

Yeah, results may vary. I find the glue does provide some barrier to the moisture for the cardboard, and I try to keep all the walls close to the edges to prevent the whole piece from warping, but I understand this may not work for all cardboard types. Thanks for watching and commenting mate.

[@TheSoccccerplaya11]

What products did you use for this? The walls in specific

[@RFDHobby]

Hi, for the walls here I used foamboard. Specifically something like this amzn.to/3bNFXn0 I hope that helps mate. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@paulofreire7520]

Very cool!

[@RFDHobby]

Thank you. I have been working on some similar terrain pieces recently to add to this theme, hopefully you enjoy the next video as well. Should be out in a day or two. Cheers mate.

[@kevinheffernan7105]

class work

[@RFDHobby]

Thanks Kevin, have a good new year mate.

[@colossalbigfoot256]

Man I watched that vid did I miss the tool you made for 45* cuts?

[@RFDHobby]

Oh crap. I'll check to make sure I linked the right video...so sorry mate. In the meantime, it's just a piece of wood with a 45 degree cut on one side, and a craft blade screwed onto the 45. You can adjust the blade cut depth by just moving the blade slightly, and easily replace the blade when needed. I'll check that link, but it's a super simple tool, and there's really not much too it at all. Let me know if I can help further.

[@colossalbigfoot256]

@@RFDHobby cool sounds simple. I never thought of it and just glue 90 but 45 makes better sense for cleanliness

[@RFDHobby]

@@colossalbigfoot256 for sure. So simple to make and use, and once you have it just works perfectly and saves a bunch of time in trying to cover all the corners down the track.

[@starhand09]

The cutter is what I'm after as well. Great videos as always though

[@RFDHobby]

@@starhand09 thanks. Sorry again about the bad link. But here is the link again for anyone else reading this reply. 1:41 in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3Obkmhsid-bers . Cheers.

[@WanderfalkeAT]

Hmm... No Brick Textures? Those Desert Buildings are made with Bricks and then plastered over with a clay mix. Otherwise they don't survive any rain or strong wind errosion. Also the Hot Glue is visible in lots of corners here. The paint is too brick red. Sun baked mud brics aren't red but still resemble the mud color. Normally the plastering is then colored more white, but not always. They make the white paint with ash and it wears off very quickly. So using a more light grey color is preferable.