Support for transportation is a separate consideration, you friend presumably will want to install it in his layout. There are foam boards (the name of the proprietary boards totally escapes me) At Timonium there was a guy selling a wonder foam of various thicknesses. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of his product either.
The weight of your diorama will depend on your materials. Hydrocal might be a problem with thin foam. Foam on foam not so much.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Is this a one time carry and insert into your friend's layout? Is there support for the sheet around the edges, or even better, under the whole thing? If it's a one time carry going into an area with support, I would use foam board and disregard the rest of what I say.
The problem with any thin material (plywood, hardboard) is flexing of the base when you carry it, set it in place, work on it, etc. And any sheet material is going to flex a little over 12" without any reinforcement. Which will probably be disasterous for any track or structure in Z scale.
I would recommend some kind of on-edge support under the sheet. Could be 1x1 wood, but 1x2 would be better. Could be vertical strips of the material used in the sheet - 1" or 1.5" high strips of plywood would be fine. The vertical strips would also help position the "insert" into the layout.
Even easier than wood or hardboard is foamboard used for posters and the like. Cut with a knife, and glue with white glue. Strong enough to be used for HO modules that travel a lot.
Fred W
wickman I would suggest 3/4" plywood and no less than 1/2".
I would suggest 3/4" plywood and no less than 1/2".
Sorry Z Scale went right over my head, I agree 3/4 " would be over kill.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
Another option would be lauan (or the environmentally friendly replacement, it is a type of mahogany) plywood, 5mm.
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/luan-wood-99466.html
The Home depot near me sells it in "handy" sizes, precut. There are several size and thickness choices if you look in the "Project Panels" plywood section of your building supply center.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Underlayment-Common-5-0-mm-x-2-ft-x-4-ft-Actual-0-189-in-x-23-75-in-x-47-75-in-1507142/202089010
I use lots of this stuff on the layout. It takes moisture better (when doing scenery) and is easier to drill than Masonite type hardboard.
Just another option...
Good Luck, Ed
Thank you both. I will go with the masonite then I think. I'm skeptical about going to 3/4" ply on a Z scale just in case it sticks out visually.
For 16"x12" masonite will be fine, use 1/4"as 1/8" is to flexable.
I'm planning to build a diorama for a friend's layout as a surprise. So I am wondering what is the material of choice for a 16"x12" diorama? Also to note there will be lighting wired up and on the underside will be copper tape and two lead wires. It's a Z scale.
My first thoughts would be 1/8" (3mm) hardboard since its thin enough to blend into the existing layout w/out ripping up anything.
Thanks