How to question - grated deck/floor

[TwelveInchFigures]

Hi,

 

I'm new here, hoping this is the place to ask my question (if not, if someone can move this post to the right place or refer me where i should post, that is appreciated - thanks!).  I'm building a diorama, and though it's not ship related someone suggested I try here as someone might have some ideas.  Basically I need to build or find something to use for a 1/6 scale grated floor for a diorama, that can hold some weight as there will be some figures posed on it.  I would prefer to find something I could adapt to this use, but if I can't, then ideas and tips on what to use to build it so that it's sturdy and matches (as closely as it can anyway) the grate pattern in the image below - which is pretty perfect as far as what I'm looking to make:

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTEwMFgxNjAw/z/3X8AAOxy4dNS39Wi/$_57.JPG

 

(Just in case that linke doesn't come through, I'll attach a pic as well - new here so not sure how all this works exactly - forgive newbie ignorance please).

 

As you can see by the tape measure in the picture, it's a pretty small grate pattern, which is why I've had such a hard time finding anything.  Since it has to hold some weight, I figured it would be best to post in this group.  I don't care what it's made of - wood, metal, plastic - but the lighter the better.  And the overall floor size I am looking to build of this grid pattern I need is a minimum of 1 foot by 2 feet - if it means gluing two or more parts together that's fine too.

 

Any ideas are very much appreciated, as I've hit only dead ends so far.

 

Thank you very much in advance for any ideas.

 

Kind Regards,

Ken

[NMBROOK]

Hi Ken

An interesting and unusual question.Having worked in the steelwork industry,what you are trying to replicate is something called 'flowforge flooring'.Having worked with this myself the holes are roughly 100mm x 25mm.I understand the size of your diorama,however in reality this stuff is welded to a supporting steel gantry.The supports would be at 500mm intervals roughly and would be visible through the mesh.To be accurate these should be replicated,but this has the advantage of strengthening your model.At your scale,this could be I beams 12mm wide by 24mm deep.As for the mesh I am still pondering,The mesh for radiator cabinets immediately sprang to mind,but are invariably fancy patterns.Another option of the top of my head is the mesh used in openings for aftermarket car bodykits,but as to whether you could find something the correct pattern I don't know.Yes you could make it,but I am certain with enough searching a sheet of mesh pretty close to what you want will be available in a sheet.

 

Kind Regards Nigel

[NMBROOK]

Hello again Ken

I knew I had seen something like that,and it has just come to me.I have seen it used in rabbit hutches.I have also seen it available in rolls for making rabbit hutches.

 

Kind Regards Nigel

[wefalck]

It might be helpful to know what you are trying to reproduce, rather than what you think it would like in your scenic setting. As it was indicated above, on that basis one get an idea of its construction and try to replicate it accordingly.

 

wefalck

[TwelveInchFigures]

Thank you for the ideas.  Yes it is the flowforge flooring I'm trying to reproduce - Thank you Nigel for your detailed information so I know now at least what to call it and more about reproducing it.  I emailed a place that makes wire meshes, so hopefully they'll have something the right size, but depending if its flat or weaved I may have to keep looking.

 

Kind Regrds,

Ken

[NMBROOK]

Hi Ken,

With flowforge flooring a vertical strip around 30mm deep and 5mm wide runs in the longitudinal direction and then a twisted bar about 4mm square runs at right angles across the 25mm gaps.This is resistance welded to the tops of the 30mm flats.In reality it is proud not flush,this is what provides grip when you walk on it.

Kind Regards Nigel

Edited January 29, 2014 by NMBROOK

[TwelveInchFigures]

Hi Nigel,

 

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it.  I tried finding something with hardware cloth/rabbit fencing, but couldn't find anything myself small enough at the places I tried.  A friend suggested I contact some machine shops and see if they might have something or be able to make something, so I'll try there next.  I'd hate to have to make it by hand, though I know if I get some strips of bass wood and I already have carpenter glue, then it's just a matter of sawing and gluing... and patience.  Then some metal colored paint.  But that's last resort.

 

Thanks again for all your help with this.

 

Kind Regards,

Ken

[src]

Ken,
If I understand correctly, you want to take the grate in your picture and scale it down to 1/6 scale.
Have you considered water jet? I need to double check but I believe they can cut to 0.01" accuracy.
The place I work we just had some very small parts cut out and the edge on some of the parts was 1/32" the entire part was only 5/8x5/8". Something like your picture should be no problem even 1/2' to 5/8' thick.

 

If you are in the Los Angeles are I can hook you up with a couple of real good places for water jet cutting. PM me if interested

 

Sam

Edited February 8, 2014 by src