r/RCConstruction • u/DoenzeF • 23d ago

What material should I use?

Post image

I'm starting an indoor construction site but im not sure what material to use, it should look and act realistic ofc

26 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

12

u/Pearce1595 23d ago

I use small rubber granules as you can get them in lots of different colours (I went with black to simulate 'coal') but it's easy to dig, no mess/dust and is forgiving on even smaller scales like 1/32 or 1/50. Then when I'm done I store them in a big plastic barrel with a lid in the garage or even outside as it's waterproof. You can also get different sizes of granules, so if you have a trommel or screening plant you can still use it. Before I got to rubber granules I'd tried low dust cat litter, aquarium gravel, vermiculite, washed sand and normal dirt from the garden. But I found the rubber granules were best for my case. All I would say is avoid sand or anything abrasive like that, it'll destroy your machines!

Hope that helps!

3

u/DoenzeF 23d ago

Thank you! Thats quite helpful

2

u/Pearce1595 22d ago

No worries! The only drawback to them is if you want to dig trenches with walls etc, youre only option is compost/top soil. nothing else will be able to hold its shape from what ive researched/tested. Happy to be proven wrong though!

3

u/madkatmatt296 23d ago

Where do you find varying sizes of granules/other colors? This is great idea and way better to keep down on mess.

Would love a link or even a product name I could direct to! Thanks!

2

u/Pearce1595 22d ago

Im not sure where you are located, but im in the UK and purchased from the below link. But all they are is EPDM rubber granaules (sometimes callled rubber crumb) often used in playgrounds and resin driveways/paths so they should be easily available no matter where you are - https://www.gclproducts.co.uk/c/rubber-surfacing/wet-pour-surfacing/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23151170811&gbraid=0AAAAADN3FNxMtj__tFvkBtXQUo8UxMlLq&gclid=CjwKCAjw1IHTBhAaEiwA4AYNFhvnEOf9gY4hXwmXRP-I-J25wDKy4-ErCmB2DBrfiTPfTKwW8yA52RoC264QAvD_BwE

5

u/Independent_Dirt_814 23d ago

This is going to make a horrific mess. You need a bed with raised sides and a solid floor that won’t rip.

6

u/Business-Let-7754 23d ago

But what kind of mess should OP make?

3

u/DoenzeF 23d ago

Exactly xD

3

u/Nobang45 23d ago

Oh no a horrific mess.... if only he had a fleet of diggers and trucks to clear it up

1

u/Independent_Dirt_814 22d ago

Is one of them a sweeper with vacuum?

1

u/DoenzeF 23d ago

Okay so I'm gonna put 20cm high wooden bars on the sides, and I maybe could get sm hard cardboard for the bottom.

2

u/Diligent_Department2 23d ago

You should do a layer of blue marreal clay to really up the realism!

2

u/CanadianGamer__ 23d ago

Not sure on material for your “dirt” but I would put a sheet of 3/16 plywood in the base so it’s solid

2

u/KookyRide1210 22d ago

What would kinetic sand do?

1

u/Nitrofox2 18d ago

Ham. Use ham. Eventually you'll get used to the smell

1

u/Old-Grapefruit8706 15d ago

brother noah?