My LOTR M.E. map finally finshed

[Gigatron]

Well, just like the title would suggest, I finally got around to building a custom frame for my Adam/Hydin LOTR map. The frame is huge. The outside dimensions are approximately 39"x43". The backing for the map is 36"x40".

The frame itself is made from crown moulding that I found at Home Depot and a 36"x48" piece of lexan polycarbonate (the most expensive part of the project at $50).

Anyway, here's a pic

Enjoy,
Fred

 

[micdavis]

That's beautiful.

Great work.

 

[Boba Frett]

Looks great :thumbsup

 

[monkeywrench]

Very nice.

 

[kurtyboy]

Frikin cool display. Wish I had bought one now.

Love the frame. Its the exact same pattern I've seen around the ceiling in many old Victorian houses here in the UK.

 

[Gigatron]

Thanks, guys

Glad everyone likes the frame. I spent about an hour in H.D. just looking through the moulding section. This stuff wasn't cheap, but the end result was definitely worth it.

Kurtyboy, I'm sure if you post a WTB in the JY, someone will have a spare. A lot of people got multiples, maybe someone would be willing to let one go. Just an idea...

Anyway, thanks again guys :thumbsup

-Fred

 

[Darth Lars]

Very nice frame indeed. It fits well in a LotR theme.

 

[darthwhitey]

nice work....

 

[JediHomer]

very nice... what's the matting? just covered plywood?

 

[Gigatron]

Thanks for the compliments, guys

Jedi Homer, the matting is a few pieces of 1/4" foam core board and some black felt. I didn't even cover the whole board with felt because I figured the map would be covering most of it anyway.

-Fred

 

[shortimer52]

Thats the same idea I had. I was wondering if it would work out all that good, glad to see it did. Time to go do mine.

 

[JediHomer]

great idea... not much weight to it either other than the frame

how about aging techniques used?

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JediHomer @ Dec 11 2006, 07:02 PM) [snapback]1375608[/snapback]</div>

great idea... not much weight to it either other than the frame

how about aging techniques used?
[/b]

Surprisingly enough, for as large as that frame is, I'd guess the weight is somewhere between 5 and 10 lbs.. I have 2 small eye hooks in the 2 vertical planks and mechanics wire strung between them. I used 2 50 lb drywall anchors to hang it from.

The worst part is it's kind of awkward to carry around because of it's size. Have to be careful of doors and you can't reall see where you're going, so navigating the stairs really sucked.

Did you want aging techniques for the map or the frame? The map aging, I've gone into great detail in this thread http://www.therpf.com/index.php?showtopic=116807&hl=map

For the frame, I didn't do any aging at all. After I cut the moulding to size, I used MinWax sprayable stain in Walnut. The can says let it sit for 15 minutes then wipe off and do another application in 6 hours. I sprayed the first application and let it sit for an hour or so (went and ran some errands so I wouldn't be so antsy about waiting :lol ), then wiped off the excess. After letting it dry for a few hours, I was really happy with the finish and just left it alone. I think the finish is a result of the mill work they did to the wood. The moulding is a very soft pine, so it takes color very easily. Plus the cuts and sanding they did to get the design affected the rate at which some spots absorbed color.

-Fred

 

[Red Five]

Good work. It really does look good in your frame. Presentation is key, after all. Do you have any other replica's displayed like this?

 

[slightlyagitatedwookie]

Great job Fred

I like how your frame came out more than mine. E had very similiar ideas. Ijust really cheaped out on the moulding and din't bother with the glass.

http://www.therpf.com/index.php?showtopic=119953 post #10

I really should have stuck to a more "Elvish" looking moulding for this thing.

Great stuff.

Heath

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red Five @ Dec 11 2006, 11:12 PM) [snapback]1375758[/snapback]</div>

Good work. It really does look good in your frame. Presentation is key, after all. Do you have any other replica's displayed like this?
[/b]

Thanks red five. I only have one other paper prop and it's Indy's Map from the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Here's a pic of that map:

This was a simple $3 frame from Ikea. It was four pieces of plain wood and a thin sheet of plexi. First, I stained the wood with a deep cherry, then after that dried, I roughly misted it with flat black to make it look grungy. The backing is the paper insert that came with the frame, just spray painted black.

As for my other props, I set them up as a movie poster/prop display, displaying the most iconic prop with a poster of the movie it's from:

SAW, that's a pretty sweet weathering job on that map and the frame ain't half bad either. I kinda like the no-glass look. Sometimes I find the reflections from the lexan to be a bit distracting. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I wish I would have saved the $50. I just know the glass will keep the map from falling off the backing :lol

Anyway, here's a closeup of the detail in the frame. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was elvish scroll work

-Fred

 

[Red Five]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gigatron @ Dec 11 2006, 10:34 PM) [snapback]1375979[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red Five @ Dec 11 2006, 11:12 PM) [snapback]1375758[/snapback]

Good work. It really does look good in your frame. Presentation is key, after all. Do you have any other replica's displayed like this?
[/b]

Thanks red five. I only have one other paper prop and it's Indy's Map from the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Here's a pic of that map:

This was a simple $3 frame from Ikea. It was four pieces of plain wood and a thin sheet of plexi. First, I stained the wood with a deep cherry, then after that dried, I roughly misted it with flat black to make it look grungy. The backing is the paper insert that came with the frame, just spray painted black.

As for my other props, I set them up as a movie poster/prop display, displaying the most iconic prop with a poster of the movie it's from:

SAW, that's a pretty sweet weathering job on that map and the frame ain't half bad either. I kinda like the no-glass look. Sometimes I find the reflections from the lexan to be a bit distracting. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I wish I would have saved the $50. I just know the glass will keep the map from falling off the backing :lol

Anyway, here's a closeup of the detail in the frame. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was elvish scroll work

-Fred
[/b][/quote]

Wow. Very nice. You've really mastered the map-weathering. They look fantastic. I smiled when I saw your wall of posters too. Then I glanced over my shoulder to admire my own Star Wars Wall The light sabres will have to wait until my ship comes in however...
Keep up the great work & thanks for sharing your ideas :thumbsup

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red Five @ Dec 12 2006, 04:40 AM) [snapback]1376009[/snapback]</div>

Wow. Very nice. You've really mastered the map-weathering. They look fantastic. I smiled when I saw your wall of posters too. Then I glanced over my shoulder to admire my own Star Wars Wall The light sabres will have to wait until my ship comes in however...
Keep up the great work & thanks for sharing your ideas :thumbsup
[/b]

Thanks, Red. Actually though, the indy map comes pre-weathered. It was made available as a free paper prop by one of members (sorry, can't remember who right now), but it's still available here http://www.restrainingbolt.com/cheap-as-hell/cah.html - just scroll down to Raiders of the Lost Ark. All you have to do is print out each half on a standard sheet of 8.5"x11" paper, cut it out and you're done. I added a little extra authentic burn areas just for fun.

-Fred

 

[WebChief]

That is the most amazing display and framing of that map I've seen so far. Incredible work.

One question, where did you get the lexan polycarbonate? Thanks.

 

[kalarcana]

Fred,

Like everyone else has said, it is a great display. I have been considering a similiar approach to the frame. Do you have any pics of the back of the frame? I'm not sure how I would keep the plexiglass to the frame without liquid nails/hot glue/etc. Thank you.



Rick