How to build a model Stonehenge

You know you've always wanted to build a model Stonehenge...
This article will demonstrate how to build Stonehenge for a pet
lizard, tarantula etc. -or just for yourself.
Facts on the Stonehenge megaliths are that they probably
took millions of hours of labor to complete. This project
might take you 15 to 20 hours.
You could always try to visit stonehenge in the attempt to better understand how the structure was organized. Failing that you might have to look at pictures or try to find a stonehenge video to watch. If you are building a model Stonehenge for a school project,
there are several different modifications you could make
in order for this process to go faster.
You could scale the project down -thus requiring less materials, and in general less time for completion.
Just remember, if you are in fact creating this for a living creature, the entire Stonehenge project must be sealed with several layers of non-toxic sealant. This process obviously protects the lizard or tarantula, and it makes cleanup a lot easier -as well as makes the structure last a lot longer.
Other modifications are mentioned in the video below on how to build a model Stonehenge.
If you're making this Stonehenge Project for a pet such as an anole
lizard or a gecko lizard it will need to be of a certain size.
A model with megaliths only reaching 2 1/2 inches tall is going to be
too small -as your pet might not get any use out of it. If you are making a model stonehenge for school you might want to consider getting a model building set.
The problem some people are going to run into is that the cage they
have for their pet is not big enough to hold an appropriate "scaled"
model of Stonehenge. Especially if you have a bearded dragon,
and you're trying to scale it up for one of the megaliths to act
as a basking spot. The way around this is to possibly only
create one quarter to one half of the Stonehenge structure.
Having at least three of the megaliths with the proper color (gray) will definitely get the "idea" of Stonehenge across without having to build almost every single piece the real Stonehenge has. If you are just getting into scale model building, this project could be considered a rather easy beginner level piece. After all, the design really just consists of rectangles on top of rectangles. If you are building this structure for an anole lizard or a gecko lizard, it will definitely provide something for your pet to engage with and on which your pet can exercise. The model building techniques below mirror almost the exact same process for every model on this website.
In building a model Stonehenge the first step I took was to create a
base for the megaliths -on which to stand. I used a thin sheet of
polystyrene (Styrofoam); this would later resemble the grass plain
on which Stonehenge sits.
I then looked at several different pictures of Stonehenge, from
many different angles. If you can, print out three or four pictures
of the structure to act as reference points as you are doing your
scale model building.
I then cut out quite a few rectangles -eight with measurements of
5 1/2" by 2", and fourteen with measurements of 4/2"
by 1 1/2". These would become the vertical "sarsen" stones.
After you have these, you'll know what size to cut for the stones
that lie on top of them.
Facts on the Stonehenge megaliths are that they increase in size
towards the center. If you're able to look at pictures of
Stonehenge you'll notice this when looking at pics at certain
angles.
After I cut these rectangles out, I proceeded to break off little
chunks to try and resemble the worn and weathered look the real
stone structures have. This is an area where it would be very
beneficial to refer to the video above on how to build a model
Stonehenge.
Next I glued the rectangles in place, trying to accurately place them according to the pictures I was looking at of Stonehenge. For gluing, I used a product such as Loctite, which is very similar to liquid nails. After letting this dry, I mixed up a batch of grout and applied and even coat. I let that dry and then put on a second coat. I only put two coats on because I knew a small creature such as an anole lizard or gecko lizard or tarantula was to make this it's playground.
If someone is making this for a larger pet such as a bearded dragon you would need to apply at least three layers of grout to strengthen the structure. If you're building a model Stonehenge for a school project then two coats will probably suffice. The trouble is the structure ends up looking very strong when in reality it can be quite fragile. I then mixed a thicker batch of grout to apply some detail to the stone structures.
Next, using cheap acrylic paint, I colored the base green and the stones gray. I then used a non-toxic acrylic sealer called Shields All. A more readily available non-toxic sealer called mod podge can be used as well. I put at least four coats on.
As the last coat was drying I sprinkled non-toxic colored sand
on both the grass like base and the Stonehenge structure itself.
Be sure and watch the above video on how to build a model
Stonehenge as some people learn better with video than an
article.
Again, if one is trying to make a model Stonehenge for a pet
such as a gecko lizard or an anole lizard or tarantula you
definitely need to properly seal it with a non-toxic sealer.
If you're building a model Stonehenge for a class project
you don't necessarily half to seal it but it will make it much
stronger.
Don't forget to check out the
Lizard store for fun lizard products!
Also, check out the page on
how to build a castle.

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