How many woodland scenics risers can I stack?

[electrolove]

I need to know how many woodland scenics risers I can stack? The riser I'm talking about is the 'ST1409 - 4 x 24-inch Riser'. I need maybe 4 or 5 stacked at one location. I guess they will not be sturdy, is there any way to solve this? What do you guys think?

[scole100]

What are you trying to build? Will this be a mountain or other scenic area, or will there be a track at this elevation? Also, how big will this area be? If you have a long run at this height, it would be a lot cheaper to build the riser out of wood instead of stacking all of those Woodland Scenics risers up.

[jacon12]

I would think they would be pretty wobbly up that high. I used 2 inch extruded foam to help with the rise since the WS inclines and risers can be bought in that height. Like this. (see incline are far upper right)

What type base are they going to be sitting on? Foam, plywood?
Jarrell

[pcarrell]

How about taking a page from "big" construction.

Iron rebar is used to help with vertical support.

You could use those bamboo meat skewers the sell at the grocery store for the lower levels and then get some dowels for the upper levels. If you want stronger support you could go to the hardware store and buy threaded stock. Comes in 3 foot lengths and you can use nuts and wachers on it to secure things.

Just a thought...

[electrolove]

My layout rises from zero to about 50 cm with some flat yards in between. So the area is big. There will be track all over the place. Like a mountain railroad.

QUOTE: Originally posted by scole100

What are you trying to build? Will this be a mountain or other scenic area, or will there be a track at this elevation? Also, how big will this area be? If you have a long run at this height, it would be a lot cheaper to build the riser out of wood instead of stacking all of those Woodland Scenics risers up.

[electrolove]

They will sit on foam, glued with latex caulk. Maybe I can use your idea, and just have inclines at the top of the foam. I will think about it for a while. Thanks.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

I would think they would be pretty wobbly up that high. I used 2 inch extruded foam to help with the rise since the WS inclines and risers can be bought in that height. Like this. (see incline are far upper right)

What type base are they going to be sitting on? Foam, plywood?
Jarrell

[electrolove]

Nice idea, I will see if I go that way or not. Must think about it. Thanks for the idea.

QUOTE: Originally posted by pcarrell

How about taking a page from "big" construction.

Iron rebar is used to help with vertical support.

You could use those bamboo meat skewers the sell at the grocery store for the lower levels and then get some dowels for the upper levels. If you want stronger support you could go to the hardware store and buy threaded stock. Comes in 3 foot lengths and you can use nuts and wachers on it to secure things.

Just a thought...

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by electrolove

They will sit on foam, glued with latex caulk. Maybe I can use your idea, and just have inclines at the top of the foam. I will think about it for a while. Thanks.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

I would think they would be pretty wobbly up that high. I used 2 inch extruded foam to help with the rise since the WS inclines and risers can be bought in that height. Like this. (see incline are far upper right)

What type base are they going to be sitting on? Foam, plywood?
Jarrell

Actually, you will need the inclines AND the risers to come up to the first piece of 2 inch foam. Like this..
Jarrell

[electrolove]

jacon12:

I already have the inclines, 2% rise from 0 to 4 inch. So my first foam must be 4 inch thick. And then another incline continues from there if I use your idea. I wonder what will be the cheapest way. Must calculate a little. Foam is not for free either [8D]

[ham99]

I bought a 4x8 sheet of 2" blue foam for $12, and only used half of it. It goes a long way. I had quite a bit of 1" foam saved from cheap ice chests that developed leaks. Are prices pretty standard around the country?

[jacon12]

Using the foam is a good idea if you already have it and it may be a good idea even if you don't. You can cut the foam wider than your risers/inclines giving you a more substantial base than simply using the risers alone.
$12 is a steal! I've paid $22 a sheet for it here in central Georgia. If I remember correctly, most people here say that $20 to $25 is the going price.
Jarrell