Anyone have any ideas on where to buy Gatorfoam in 1/2" or 3/4" thickness in the NW Arkansas area? Lowe's & HD don't carry it, won't order it and haven't a clue.
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
You will need to order this from art supply store. Google it and you will find someone who sells it.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I ordered 1/2" white panels from dickblick.com
Reasonably priced, quick shipping.
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately the "reasonable" pricing completely disappears when you need it in 4'x8' sheets. Not only does the per sheet rise considerably they make you order 12 sheets. Yowzer!
Ouch! Have you tried contacting the manufacturer directly? What can it hurt? They may make you a deal or recommend a nearby source.
Good luck.
The killer is needing to buy 12 - price per sheet compared tot he smaller sizes is actually a deal. It never was cheap, nor was it ever claimed to be cheap - but it is strong, lightweight, and, based on the pool test, fairly waterproof. Now if those 4x8 sheets are cut up to make "1x4's", you'll get 144 of them. Still well above the cost of dimensional lumber or even plywooid cut in a similar manner, but a fraction of the weight. I don't know that I'd use such an expensive material for more than structure bases, MAYBE make modules if I only made a couple, but a room size layout? Stuff's way too expensive for that, to me.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Is there a sign shop near your location? Often sign shops use Gatorboard for signs. They may have some on hand or be able to order it for you.
Yes, it's used more in the graphic arts field. Sign shops, exhibit display companies and other similar businesses use a lot of it. Some sign supply companies may sell to you, but some will only sell to sign shops. The trick is to find a sign shop that won't add a big mark-up to it.
Jim
Don't know what sizes you need, but here is a link to a vendor who frequents the Timonium, Md. show and the big train show in West Springfield, Ma.: http://www.gatorfoam.net/
His price actually works out to be a bit more than Dick Blick, however you do not need to order 12 sheets of 4x8, you can order just 1 if you want it, plus Blick does not list big sheets of the 3/16", just the 1/2".
The original idea was to get a 4x8 sheet (maybe 2) and rip it to 3" or 4" to make the upper deck structure for my layout. I don't have a problem with the cost per sheet as it would still be much cheaper than dimensional wood.
But there's the issue of having to buy 12 sheets or the logistics of getting one 4x8 sheet to me from Timonium or MA. I haven't found anything close to me where I could pick it up. I imagine a single sheet shipped to me wouldn't be very useful upon arrival....especially if UPS were involved. I know....I know....they won't ship it! Just ragging on the normal damaged boxes they seem to deliver to me.
It was just a thought to use it. I guess I'll need to use plywood and rip it to the sizes I want. I was just hoping to shave the weight off the upper deck.
Thanks.
oldline1But there's the issue of having to buy 12 sheets or the logistics of getting one 4x8 sheet to me from Timonium or MA.
I think if you look at the link I posted it implies that they will cut the 4X8 piece to any size you want prior to shipping. And I don't think there is any requirement to buy 12 sheets. I believe that you can buy as much or as little as you want.
Wow has Gatorfoam gone up in price. I bought a case 15 sheets of 3/16'' kraft color back in 1996 at American Cardboard in Philadelphia Pa. They would only sell in case lots . $15 a sheet back then or $325 a case for 15 sheets. I picked it up at the plant so shipping was not needed. I think the $96 a 4x8 sheet has a good bit of mark up in it.
Great material to work with. I've built large steel mill structures with it , used it as a core for some long girder bridges and as a base for two large towns on my railroad. Still have one sheet left after all these years and that will soon end up under a large scrap yard in my steel mill. Does not warp and cuts like wood on a table saw or with a Stanley box knife.
--------------- Ken
I'm interested in Gatorfoam after reading about it in Model Railroad Planning 2015, where Greg Johnson of Houston describes using it for benchwork / roadbed. Greg wrote that it was $55 per sheet in Houston. My local supplier (within 10 miles of my home) is quoting $73 per sheet for eleven sheets or less, and $660 per case of 12 sheets ($55 per sheet). This is Yakima, central Washington State, not part of a metro area, and I didn't ask about delivery.
Dan Tamsky
I got some at Hobby Lobby.
As was mentioned above, my local sign shop can get 4'x8' sheets for me. I haven't priced it lately. As I remember it was quite reasonable compared to smaller sheets available elsewhere. At the time I asked he could get single sheets and there was no shipping as long as it came with his regular deliveries.
Good luck,
Richard