QUOTE: Originally posted by mickeyg Re: Buckeye Riveter's Idea of Using Foam: I went to Hobby Lobby today to find a small piece of extruded styrofoam. Hobby Lobby also sells the "Wonder Cutter" for cutting the foam. I paid $8.00 for it. I have used it once on a 2-inch thick piece of foam--the Wonder Cutter cut it instantly. So far I am impressed with this tool. I plan on changing my layout within the next month. Update: I tried to use this tool on a 4 x 8 ft. (2 inch thick) piece. It did not work quite as well. The trailing end became stuck in the foam and the wire kept coming off. Mike
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G ... I lay particle board on it and then 2 foot thick industrial foam...
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Regards, Roy
QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter [#welcome] to the CTT forum. Here is an old posting that we just keep recirculating QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter Last year, Chief Eagles stopped by when he was in Wheeling, WV at the grand opening of the Cabela's store. He wanted to see what I was doing and how it performed. One of the advantages and disadvantages that I have is the slope of the ceiling reflects the sound out to the operator and viewers. QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles Talk to Buckeye. He has his layout on foam only [yes foam only]. He uses deck screws pushed into the foam and they will hold the track in place. He says they will hold it fine and the track will settle into the foam some after running trains on it. I've seen his layout and it works fine. Here are some of his photos: [he will not mind and can share more of construction] QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter Thank you Chief for those kind words. [:)][:)] I know it is hard for you to say such benevolent statements about a YANKEE from Buckeye Land. [:D] And now on to the foam. Yes, my whole layout sits on foam. It is high-density 2" foam purchased at Home Depot, one of my favorite stores. The foam sits on joists at approximately 16" spacing. On top of the high density foam sits the 1" white foam. Again, the Chief is correct, I do use deck screw or drywall screws to hold the track to the foam. If you really have a problem holding to the foam, I use a plastic "Molly" type connection and low heat glue and imbed it. I wished I had taken a photo of this. The main reasons I used foam were; 1. The layout is designed to move and 2. after shelling out my hard earned money for Railsounds, I wanted to hear it. [:)] The foam accomplished both goals. My layout extension under construction will not use the 1" white foam overlay, since the two inch meets all the goals stated above. Approx. same view of layout as above Q: How do you walk on the layout? A: I don't. I designed it so I could reach everything. My new addition will have hidden hatches inside the exposed loops. The cat has been know to walk on the layout and hide in the tunnel. Q: Does it make wiring easier? A: Much easier. I use an extra long drill bit (10”) and punch through the foam. No drilling required, as you need to do with wood. Q: Over time does it deflect or sag? A: We have not seen any sag in the foam. On my previous HO layout the plywood sagged all the time with the changes of moisture in the air. Q: Where are the transformer and controls located? A: Under the layout on a small shelf Q: How much will it hold? A: I might try to calculate that someday. [:)] One other thing, if you look near the end of the book, How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork , by Linn Westcott, published by Kalambach, he just starts to touch on the subject on the use of foam. This book is usually found in most decent hobby stores. The MTH RealTrax is attached very securely to the foam with deck screws. If you want to make the attachment even more secure, paint the area beneath the track with a white glue-water mixture. This mixture just makes the foam a little stronger.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter Last year, Chief Eagles stopped by when he was in Wheeling, WV at the grand opening of the Cabela's store. He wanted to see what I was doing and how it performed. One of the advantages and disadvantages that I have is the slope of the ceiling reflects the sound out to the operator and viewers. QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles Talk to Buckeye. He has his layout on foam only [yes foam only]. He uses deck screws pushed into the foam and they will hold the track in place. He says they will hold it fine and the track will settle into the foam some after running trains on it. I've seen his layout and it works fine. Here are some of his photos: [he will not mind and can share more of construction] QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter Thank you Chief for those kind words. [:)][:)] I know it is hard for you to say such benevolent statements about a YANKEE from Buckeye Land. [:D] And now on to the foam. Yes, my whole layout sits on foam. It is high-density 2" foam purchased at Home Depot, one of my favorite stores. The foam sits on joists at approximately 16" spacing. On top of the high density foam sits the 1" white foam. Again, the Chief is correct, I do use deck screw or drywall screws to hold the track to the foam. If you really have a problem holding to the foam, I use a plastic "Molly" type connection and low heat glue and imbed it. I wished I had taken a photo of this. The main reasons I used foam were; 1. The layout is designed to move and 2. after shelling out my hard earned money for Railsounds, I wanted to hear it. [:)] The foam accomplished both goals. My layout extension under construction will not use the 1" white foam overlay, since the two inch meets all the goals stated above. Approx. same view of layout as above Q: How do you walk on the layout? A: I don't. I designed it so I could reach everything. My new addition will have hidden hatches inside the exposed loops. The cat has been know to walk on the layout and hide in the tunnel. Q: Does it make wiring easier? A: Much easier. I use an extra long drill bit (10”) and punch through the foam. No drilling required, as you need to do with wood. Q: Over time does it deflect or sag? A: We have not seen any sag in the foam. On my previous HO layout the plywood sagged all the time with the changes of moisture in the air. Q: Where are the transformer and controls located? A: Under the layout on a small shelf Q: How much will it hold? A: I might try to calculate that someday. [:)] One other thing, if you look near the end of the book, How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork , by Linn Westcott, published by Kalambach, he just starts to touch on the subject on the use of foam. This book is usually found in most decent hobby stores.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles Talk to Buckeye. He has his layout on foam only [yes foam only]. He uses deck screws pushed into the foam and they will hold the track in place. He says they will hold it fine and the track will settle into the foam some after running trains on it. I've seen his layout and it works fine. Here are some of his photos: [he will not mind and can share more of construction]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter Thank you Chief for those kind words. [:)][:)] I know it is hard for you to say such benevolent statements about a YANKEE from Buckeye Land. [:D] And now on to the foam. Yes, my whole layout sits on foam. It is high-density 2" foam purchased at Home Depot, one of my favorite stores. The foam sits on joists at approximately 16" spacing. On top of the high density foam sits the 1" white foam. Again, the Chief is correct, I do use deck screw or drywall screws to hold the track to the foam. If you really have a problem holding to the foam, I use a plastic "Molly" type connection and low heat glue and imbed it. I wished I had taken a photo of this. The main reasons I used foam were; 1. The layout is designed to move and 2. after shelling out my hard earned money for Railsounds, I wanted to hear it. [:)] The foam accomplished both goals. My layout extension under construction will not use the 1" white foam overlay, since the two inch meets all the goals stated above. Approx. same view of layout as above Q: How do you walk on the layout? A: I don't. I designed it so I could reach everything. My new addition will have hidden hatches inside the exposed loops. The cat has been know to walk on the layout and hide in the tunnel. Q: Does it make wiring easier? A: Much easier. I use an extra long drill bit (10”) and punch through the foam. No drilling required, as you need to do with wood. Q: Over time does it deflect or sag? A: We have not seen any sag in the foam. On my previous HO layout the plywood sagged all the time with the changes of moisture in the air. Q: Where are the transformer and controls located? A: Under the layout on a small shelf Q: How much will it hold? A: I might try to calculate that someday. [:)]
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