Started a new building to add to my "Fort Joe". Its based on a previous design that I have on display. There were a lot of things looking back that I wish had done different, some parts that seemed a little sloppy. So I decided to start at new one.
Like the first one, it will be 2 levels and the floor is removable so that rooms on the first floor are accessible. I'm going to light it with LED strips. Once finished you'll be able to look into all the windows and see the Joes at work. Still have to design some computers and add ins to complete the look. But this is how its coming along. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I'm all ears.

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some more pics

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and a few more pics. The first floor is basically done, the walls and basic layout. Now I've got to get to work on the second floor and roof. I have some plans for the roof, maybe some AA cannons and communication gear. We'll see.

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Love those cristal doors. Will you put a working elevator?

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I tried to work out a working elevator, but haven't figured out a practical method yet with the top floor being removable.

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Man I love this stuff. Were I an overly wealthy man I would just give out chunks of money to people to build various Joe dios for my amusement. I'd probably want 50 versions of the HQ just for kicks.

Can't wait to see more!

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Holy crap!

The first pic threw me off because I didn't see the scale - but then I was all like


SO many uses pop to mind for something like this. And it makes me kick myself for scaling down my toy room/display area, because I'd love to try something of this magnitude.

Really looking forward to seeing how this progresses - especially want to see what you're planning with the roof - that could be a playset all its own.


Dammit - I've got to try this (or at least some portion of it.) What kind of wood are you using? I'm assuming (hoping) that it's light, yet sturdy?

Awesome stuff - please keep the WIP pics coming on this one

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Wow, this is some impressive stuff! I've often thought about using wood to build out my dio's, but just always stick with foamcore... this could easily make me change my mind. Awesome looking stuff.

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Great job Zephyr! has a real "government building" feel to it.

damn wrong computer/log in.

im using luan wood for this one. I'll tell ya if you use this stuff make sure you have a good sharp table saw blade, it tends to splinter. I usually use 1/4in plywood and it is really sturdy. I've never tried foam core other than the foam boards w/the white paper like material on top you can get at Wal-Mart for presentations. Wood takes a little longer and requires a little more elbow grease, but in the end I prefer it. When I build various buildings I like to give them a real world feel and I try to look at it like "if my joes could walk, how would they get around the structure?" This time I've cheated a little bit with the non working elevator, but I may try to work something out later. The first one like this I done has stairs, but that can be a serious pain trying to figure the scale and actually putting it together, it always seems that I don't quite get the scale right.

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Put it near a side of the building and have a little tab sticking through the wall that you could use to lift/lower it?

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Like the lift on the terrordrome.

And for extra points/to hide it, make it look like a rain gutter on the outside.

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The real question is, when are you going to have all of us over to play Joes?

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Actually it will have rain gutter to hide the wires for the lighting...lol
The big thing for the elevator I ran into was how the doors were gonna work. I had thought about using a set from the Star Trek TNG bridge playset.



lol..whenever you guys want. I even have a Flagg and I'll start building a grown-up sized sandbox.

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Love the start of this. Love how you attack the build. I think you have to treat the elevators or any other working feature like that, like you do the rest of your build. How would a 1/18 scale builder make it. They either make the entire elevator facade wider to accommodate the opening doors to the lift or the doors would telescope into itself. For this I think it is fine. You just have an elevator door on both floors. Maybe even make the doors removable to simulate them being open or whatever.

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