I am going to have a small layout and upon some real good advice from "temp" :thumbs_up: in this thread :How do YOU prevent... - TrainBoard.com , I want to put some foam board on the layout. I guess a 1" base all around and have a 1" rise in some spots. I know the pink or blue stuff comes in 2" sheets. Has anyone bought them in 1" sheets? If not, should I just use scrap lumber and woodland secenic 1" risers? The layout is 2' x 4'. Thanks.
In the central US where I'm from, the pink foam comes in 1/4" (pricey), 1/2", 1", 1-1/2" & 2". It's not available like that all over US though, as folks out west can't get it. On my layout, I used 1-1/2", over-laid with a layer of ceiling tile. ( the ceiling tile gives a good surface for track nails ) It's kind of a matter of personal preference, and track laying method. The folks that like to glue down their track & cork use just the foam.
I did find this 1/2" foam at Home Depot (SUPER TUFF-R 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-3.3 Polyisocyanurate Rigid Foam Insulation Model # 263063) Is the the right stuff to be using? Since it is 4'x8', I should have more than enough to build up a 2'x4' layout. Thanks.
foam That super tough stuff has a layer of foil in it from the description I see. This is the stuff that most people use. Owens Corning Foamular 3/4 in. x 48 in. x 96 in. Tongue and Groove Insulating Sheathing - 452769 at The Home Depot The thickness is dependent on the weather you have regularly. Here in Charlotte 1 inch is the thickest I can find regularly. The farther north you go the more likely that the store stocks the thicker stuff.
yeah depends on your location here in high point at home depot they have the pink stuff up to 2inch thick that is what im gonna use on my layout gonna cost me an arm and a leg though just on foamboard. lololol.
If you're using them for general landforms, then it doesn't matter what height, you can always stack them together for your desired height. But if a tunnel or over/under alignment is concerned, 2" foam is crucial, since it it's just about the height of N scale clearance.
The pink foam seems to only be available in 1" thicknesses here in Texas. I have been looking for 2" for several weeks and no luck. I will likely be laminating two sheets of 1" together to acheive my goal, which is frustrating.
In south Mississippi, both Home Depot and Lowe's carry 1/2" and 3/4" only. HD carries pink and Lowe's carries blue, or it could be the other way around, both are identical. Just remember to peel off the plastic sheet before using or anything you glue to it will come off in a few months...or even weeks! I laid down two 3/4" sheets for a 1-1/2" thick platform. That way I could scoop out 3/4" for creeks, rivers, or ponds.
that is good info guys i know where im at though the 2inch is 27 bucks a sheet and i need two just to cover my area a 5x9 table is this price high or no and this was at hd i didn'g look at lowes. thanks.
All you guys looking for foam should try SOUTHWEST VAULT BUILDERS in Lewisville, TX. Yes, they are local to the Dallas area, but they know who sells styrofoam elsewhere so give them a call. The gent from Texas may want to check this out also. SWVB carries Dow Corning foam in thickness from 1/2" up to 16" thick...the guys around here get 2" blue foam in 4 by 8 or 2 by 8 sheets. SWVB sells to Home Depot, etc. and the price we pay them is same as the big stores pay...IE: at Home Depot, they will order 2" foam for you at $40 a sheet..that same sheet costs $22 from SWVB. I would post a link but have had other links deleted here because of government restrictions(moderators, etc). I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THIS COMPANY, JUST WANTING TO SHARE INFORMATION. Woodie
It's around $26.95 a 2" sheet in the Cincinnati area so that's about right. It's been going up a bit. I think last year it was $24.95. Inflation. John H. Reinhardt
I just used the Woodland scenic foam sheets, which comes in thicknesses from 4" down to 1/4". It's more expensive per sqft, but it's easier to balance the costs compared to your own time on a small layout where you only need 1 or 2 sheets. It's precisely sized, consistent in quality and doesn't require a mask if you heat cut it (no toxic elements).
Up her in the great Northeast, being so darn cold we can get it in every shape, thickness and size you can imagine. Just bought a 1 inch 4x8 blue sheet and it runs at 20 bucks. For my layout I have just over half left and will use it stacked for elevation.
A few weeks ago, Lowe's did not have this in stock, but look at what I can get now!!! Dow 1/2" x 4' x 8' Extruded Polystyrene Insulated Sheathing Or Pactiv 1/2" x 4' x 8' Shiplap Insulation $11 / $12 a sheet! Is this what everyone talks of?
Is that the white stuff? I used some of it and it wasn't that easy to use. It Beads and will clog the sanders easy. It has a more grained feel to it. It floats all over when you are shaping it with a knife or saws. I swear i will never use that type next time. I will go with pink or blue! Dan:mfrown:
Easiest way I found to cut large sections with almost no mess was score one line with a utility knife on each side where you want it, and then just snap it. I had to do that when I bought it at home depot cuz I had to put it in a station wagon and they weren't allowed to cut it for me. I also made about 40-50 small brick size pieces using the score and snap method and knocked those out in about 10 minutes and had almost no mess. hope that helps!
I use a 40-year old electric knife with a narrow blade, no mess or dust. The utility knife option has worked for me also, but it required multiple cuts to fully penetrate a sheet. This was a problem when I was doing 6-8' long curved cuts, the knife slipped out of the prior cut and made a new cut nearby...not good!
