Does anyone know if there is a particular adhesive that will bond flex track (plastic ties) to woodland scenics foam roadbed?
When I built my first layout I just nailed it with track nails. I did solder the rail joiners before curving the flex track as well. Then when the balast is glued down the track isn't going anywhere. Take your time and get it right the first time. I did and never had a problem. But if you must glue it down. Liquid nails or some other glue should be fine. As long as it is pinned down real good while drying.
The choice of fixing the flex into place depends on the eventual aims of the person using it. If it is to have a functioning railroad with an effective method of keeping the tracks in place, nails are just great. If you are going to do some detailed modeling, and wish to have it look its best, think of the nail heads and if they may impose in unwanted ways on the image. Some feel they don't show well, if at all, while others say they spot them easily. If you use the nails, they can be reclaimed later once ballast has set and is keeping the tracks in place. Or, what some of us do, myself included, is to go get an inexpensive tube of acrylic latex adhesive caulk, El Cheapo Brand, and use a thin, smeared, bead of it over the centerline. Press the tracks into place and weight them with soda tins and soup tins placed on their sides between the rails, or use nails. Note that if you reclaim the nails after using caulk, the nails are apt to have caulking on their shanks and will most likely bring the rails up with them...so place two fingers on either side of the nail, pressing on the tie, and lift.
Do you know if the acrylic latex adhesive caulk hold on tight curves, say 11.25 radius or even 9.75? Thank you COverton!!
Yes construction adhesive will hold flex track in any position. Just weight the track and allow dry time. White glue will hold track. I'm a sucker for the commercials so i choose the liquid nails brand adhesive, just as described. Run a small bead and spread thin with putty knife or similar, lay track, weight and wait.
Liquid Nails Type------LATEX ONLY Watch what type of LIQUID NAILS you are going to use to bond your trackwork to the foam roadbed. Check the label and make sure it states: NON-FLAMMABLE water/latex based. DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE/SOLVENT based Liquid Nails. The solvent based Liquid Nails could re-act with the foam roadbed and make a BIG mess. I haven't used WS Foam Roadbed, but I know that the solvent based (flammable) Liquid Nails will do a number on foam panels used for scenic building. While it is eating up your foam panels, the solvent based Liquid Nails makes a great odor, that is guaranteed to make your wife's day and give her something to hold over your head for the next year or so. So the moral of this story: Always make sure you use NON-FLAMMABLE (latex based) Liquid Nails. I now use latex based Adhesive Caulk for putting trackwork on the roadbed. Much easier to use and the usually costs less too.
If you are using a styrofoam as the base for your layout, go raid your wifes sewing pins! I am sure she will be pissed. I know my mom was with my dad when he was building his layout. LOL
