Although others consider me an accomplished structure model builder I am always looking to learn from those with more skills than me. In this case I am interested in opinions regarding adhesives. All my models start with craft quality plywood (3/32" or 1/8" thick). I attach 1/4"x1/2" basswood strips strategically on the bottom for rigidity. Then I attach sheet cork to the plywwod. Flextrack is then adhered to the cork. My ballast and ground cover are secured with a first coat of an alcohol/water mix, then a white glue/warm water mix.Question 1: what is the preferred adhesive to secure the cork sheet to the plywood base? Question 2: What is the preferred adhesive to secure the flextrack to the cork? My models (size of plywwod base) range from approximately 6"x54" to 8"x14". To view my models log onto: twinflamegallery.com, then click the 'artist' tab at the top. Once that page opens scroll down to my name (Gary Thompson) then you can scroll through the photos. 4 models are presented. This is my first post and I will appreciate any and all answers to my questions. Thank you!
Great Work! Really supurb models, especially considering that they are N scale!
Others may chime in but I use carpenter's glue for the cork to plywood and Alex Plus clear acrylic caulk for track to cork roadbed.
Welcome to the forum, Gary.
Your first posts are moderated and will not immediately appear. After several posts, that will clear up.
We always love looking at photos of other modeler's layouts, so I hope you will continue to post here.
Before I do it, is it OK with you if I put a direct link to your page of work?
York1 John
Hello All,
to the forums!
As has been said, your first few posts will be moderated so there will be a delay in seeing them.
What you are asking- -in reference to adhesives for model railroading- -is equivalent to...
"Which is your 'favorite' child?" (This is why I don't have children!)
The discussion begins with...
"What bench work is 'best'?"
From there it extends to, "Do you use plywood and what type; regular vs. marine grade, or Medium Density Fiber Board, and what thickness?"
Next comes, "Homasote® vs. Foam sub roadbed?"
Then, "What type of foam?"
"Roadbed, yes or no?"
Which leads to, "Which type- -Cork, Foam, Homasote® or something else?"
Then, "Track nails, or adhesive?"
If, adhesive, "Which one- -Caulk; silicone vs. latex? Construction types- -foam friendly?"
From there, "What type of ballast, Woodland Scenics (Walnut Shell- -with it's associated nut allergies), commercially available 'natural' stone or harvest your own?"
"Best practice to adhere said ballast...Carpenter's vs. White Glue, Modge Podge or Powered Resin?"
Finally how to "activate" the ballast adhesive..."Wet Water- -alcohol or dish soap, with or without a tint- -India Ink, Ritz clothing dye, or something else?"
I haven't even mentioned tie (sleeper) and rail weathering...
All of us have found our "solution" to these questions.
Mine are:
Next subject...
"Track cleaning."
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Thanks for your tips and complements!
I'm new to forums in general as I have struggled figuring out how to navigate several others in the past. Not sure what you mean by 'putting a direct link to my page of work'. What will that allow me and others to do?
Forgive me for being so naive.
NPguy,Don't worry, I'm no pc guru and consider myself fortunate to get the pc turned on! Now that's naive!
I guess like most things in life, I'll need to spend some time on this website to figure it out. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for the thorough response. Exactly the type I was soliciting.
Gary,
A few responses up, York1 John was asking if you would give him permisssion to post here in this string a hot web link to the internet site where your work can be seen. That makes it a lot easier for forum readers to see your stuff; they don't have to open a separate browser link and enter the web address, yada, yada. One click on the hot link and bingo! When they're done, they just close out and are returned to the forum string that has been patiently waiting their return.
This process is not difficult (although a few of us require the neighborhood 8 year old's assistance ) and lots of folks here could walk you through processes for a handful of kinds of attachments that can be made to your posts like photos and videos, too. But don't dispair, John was offering to get your string and background work up front right out of the box.
I suspect he's waiting for your go ahead.
Welcome to the forums. LOTS of great folks here.
John (the Attuvian one)
Thank you for the great response and detail John. Your description makes sense for the convenience of any and all that visit the site. I will respond to York 1 to create the link.
Hi John,
Thr 'Altuvian One', another John, provided me with a detailed explanation of what a 'direct link' ia all about. I'm on board with that. Please feel free to do so. I may need a bit of direction as to how to access that link once it has been created.
Thanks again.
NPguyPlease feel free to do so. I may need a bit of direction as to how to access that link once it has been created.
Hello and
I'll jump in and add the link to your gallery.
https://www.twinflamegallery.com/our-artists/gary-thompson/
Yes, there are a few quirks with using the M-R forum tools here. Many are non-functional as there hasn't been a serious upgrade in a while.
Regards, Ed
To provide an embedded hot link use this string of code...
[ url=http link]Title[/url] (Remove the space between the bracket "[" and "url".
[ url=https://www.twinflamegallery.com/our-artists/gary-thompson/]Gary Thompson[/url]
Shown with the space between leading bracket and "url" for clarity.
Your link will look like this...
Gary Thompson
jjdamnitTo provide an embedded hot link use this string of code...
Or simply click on the "chain links" in the tool bar. If you highlight text before clicking the icon, then paste your link in the space provided it will embed the link into the text as well.
Good Luck, Ed
gmpullmanOr simply click on the "chain links" in the tool bar. If you highlight text before clicking the icon, then paste your link in the space provided it will embed the link into the text as well.
That only works with external links.
If you are trying to reference a thread/link from within the forum the method I suggested will work.
With the underlined "thread/link" above I tried "clicking on the chain" method and nothing happened.
The string of code I suggested results in this...
thread/link
jjdamnitThat only works with external links.
Correct. I'm under the impression the "Twin Flame Gallery" site IS an external link.
I must have missed the boat.
Cheers, Ed
Call me old, but still swear by the testors glue capsules (the red and white ones).
Welcome to the forums!
I've just checked back, and I see that some have already responded. Thank you for the help.
I hope that NPGuy can show us more of his work. I love seeing the great work of railroad modelers.
Ah, now I understand what an external link is. In my case it's a direct link to the webpage of the gallery where my models are displayed.
Thank you gmpullman!
With the link to twinflamegallery.com provided by gmpullman above, the photo collection of 4 of my models can now be viewed by all.
So much thanks to all of you for your great support!
I have never heard of testors glue capsules. I'll check them out. This is the type of response I was hoping for by joining the forum. Always something to learn to those with an open mind!
Thank you!