Foam layout table

[Blind Bruce]

As I see it, a foam based 4'X8' layout would be a 4X8 sheet of blue or yellow foaminsulation board.. How thick would this table need to be to support an HO pike? I would probably build a 1X3 frame (on edge) and 2X2 legs just as if I were using 3/4 ply.
BB.

[egmurphy]

Bruce,

I'd be concerned about a foam table top (without plywood) 4' wide. At that width you're bound to need to lean on the layout to work in the center. Not a good idea for foam with no wood support under it. I'd be thinking of putting at least a sheet of 1/4" plywood under 2" of foam. If you do a good job of gluing your foam sheet down to the plywood that ought to give you a decently stiff sandwich.

Doing that I'd guess you could get away with the 1x3 cross members on 16" centers. Maybe 12" if you're concerned about support.

Just my opinion. My foam is on top of a hollow core wood door so my experience is different.


Regards

Ed

[rrinker]

I used 1x4's on 16" centers for mine, but the for the rest of it I may go with 1x3's, they will be plenty strong. But my layout is along the walls type, 2' or so wide except for the planned yard area.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

If you rip 5/8" plywood in 2 1/2" strips you can make plywood I beams to span 4 Feet they will more than strong enough. Put them at 12" centers and that will support all the load you need. Make side rails 6" high and layer 2 layers of 1" foam board making sure to overlap joints.Use foam board adhesive toglue its lighter and gives you easy access to bottom of table I have my layout hanging from my livingroom ceiling its light and very strong. Its also alot easier to build all your super structure with the same board.

Randy

[Anonymous]

On my table I have a foam set up but I have it set up on a 4x8 Sheet of ply wood.

Here is how I have mine set up. I have 2 6ft long 2x4 running long ways on the 8 ft board. Then I made saw horses to hold it up, Bolted it all together to make it sturdy.

Then with the frame work in place. Home Depot has these 1/2 inch thick 4 feet wide by about a foot and a half long stro foam sheet. It fits the ply wood really well. And you only have to make one cut. What I did was just hot glue the foam to the plywood. Make sure every thing i square.
Your done. I painted my foam a grass green. It looks great
So there you go
Paul Wood