Strong Base for Diorama

pjstoneson

I've just started building with Legos again. Mostly just by following instuctions. I'm looking to build a diorama of a dungeon room on either a 16x32 or 32x32 base. When doing smaller builds these baseplates seem to flex and what I've built pops off of them.

Is there a standard method to strengthen/stiffen the bases? I was debating whether just a layer or two of plates would be enough, or if I should go for something more substantial. Advice appreciated.

Paul

CCC

I don't see why you need to strengthen it if it is being used as a base. On a board, table, flat surface, etc the base would not flex. If you are using it as a floor of a room with a void below then you will need to strengthen it, just like a real building.

richo

I have built many things on the bigger 48 x 48 base plates. I find that as long as you build it on a good flat surface, and tend to have bigger bricks on the first connection to the base, then you are fine. Small thinner 1x bricks tend to be more problematic.

graphite

If you really need a stiffer base you could always get something like a bunch of 4x12 or 6x12 plates and do one layer horizontal and one vertical so they cross. Would make your base plate almost a base brick but it should be significantly stiffer.

paul_merton

I found the base of #21010 Robie House rather interesting during construction (it's 4 plates thick). Although sturdy, it really doesn't seem to want to lie flat. Gluing a baseplate to a slab of wood is probably the only way to achieve both a flat and inflexible building surface.

pjstoneson

Thanks for the input! I've noticed that with simple buildings playing with the kids, the whole structure will sometimes pop off the base while carrying from room to room because the plate has a little flex. Just want something a little stiffer. Especially since I expect I'll be building, and rebuilding this diorama as I expand my collection of bricks. So it will be shelved, and moved out for reconstruction on a semi-regular basis.

Graphite's idea is something like what I was thinking, though I hadn't done even the basic math to realize I could just cross the two layers like that. Will have to see if I have enough plates to try something similar.

Also I'd noticed some display pieces that looked like they were built upon a base of regular height bricks, and didn't know if that might be a standard construction method, or simply something for appearances in a display piece.

Again, thanks for the input.

CCC

I'd always place it on a tray when carrying it - bases don't travel so well once held. And clear the floor of other toys so you don't trip. Been there, done that. Fallen down the stairs, with two weeks worth of building.

bellybutton290

I've used three layers of plates and some 2x8 bricks to strengthen the joins between different baseplates and use lots of 2x4 bricks and put plates on top of those which provides a very solid base indeed. With diorama's I use black sloped bricks of 2x8 or 2x4 topped with 1x8 or 1x4 flats to create a nice border to cover the support bricks and you get a nice presentation feel.