Chipboard or Plywood

[tomnoy3]

Im getting some lumber to expand my layout soon and I was wondering which base wood you recommend from experience? Thanks for the input.

[tomnoy3]

Im getting some lumber to expand my layout soon and I was wondering which base wood you recommend from experience? Thanks for the input.

[Anonymous]

i'd go with plywood

[Anonymous]

i'd go with plywood

[Anonymous]

Chipboard is harder to drive nails in as compaired to plywood. I use 1/2 cdx, it's cheap, waterproof, and you cover it anyway so its roughness doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Chipboard is harder to drive nails in as compaired to plywood. I use 1/2 cdx, it's cheap, waterproof, and you cover it anyway so its roughness doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Plywood. I used 3/4" thick.

[Anonymous]

Plywood. I used 3/4" thick.

[Anonymous]

Definitely go with plywood, if it's gotta be wood. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) lacks the strength of grain, while plywood layers this inherent strength in perpendicular directions. If you cut out a thin single-track subroadbed, you may in the process "discover" a hidden plane of weakness in the OSB, since the chips are often about the same size as a single-track roadbed.

[Anonymous]

Definitely go with plywood, if it's gotta be wood. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) lacks the strength of grain, while plywood layers this inherent strength in perpendicular directions. If you cut out a thin single-track subroadbed, you may in the process "discover" a hidden plane of weakness in the OSB, since the chips are often about the same size as a single-track roadbed.

[Anonymous]

Another overlooked source of bases are hollow core doors from a "salvage lumber" company.

[Anonymous]

Another overlooked source of bases are hollow core doors from a "salvage lumber" company.

[dknelson]

Both of them are rough on tools and drill bits due to the glue content. Both are hard to nail, plywood being a bit easier as a prior poster said. If the chipboard was free don't turn it down (check out what they toss at almost any house building site).
But I like plywood because at least one side is nice and smooth and really flat
Dave Nelson

[dknelson]

Both of them are rough on tools and drill bits due to the glue content. Both are hard to nail, plywood being a bit easier as a prior poster said. If the chipboard was free don't turn it down (check out what they toss at almost any house building site).
But I like plywood because at least one side is nice and smooth and really flat
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Plywood would be the way to go. Although chipboard is cheaper, it has tndencies to swell when it gets wet...such as dring scenery construction.

[Anonymous]

Plywood would be the way to go. Although chipboard is cheaper, it has tndencies to swell when it gets wet...such as dring scenery construction.

[der5997]

Either way, I prefer to use screws rather than nails. Much more forgiving if you have to adjust or move something. If you use drywall scews, (sheetrock screws?, sorry I don't know the American term) you cut down the cost, as well as get a better screwdriver fit. The drywall screw has a cross or Philips head, much better to drive than a single slot on most US screws. My personal preference are the square head or Robertson screws widely available in Canada.
The vibration caused by hammering nails is inconvenient, shall we say, and often there is not sufficient space available to swing the hammer.
to keep to t he theme of this thread, I'd go for plywood as the base, it just seems to be stronger, size for size.

[der5997]

Either way, I prefer to use screws rather than nails. Much more forgiving if you have to adjust or move something. If you use drywall scews, (sheetrock screws?, sorry I don't know the American term) you cut down the cost, as well as get a better screwdriver fit. The drywall screw has a cross or Philips head, much better to drive than a single slot on most US screws. My personal preference are the square head or Robertson screws widely available in Canada.
The vibration caused by hammering nails is inconvenient, shall we say, and often there is not sufficient space available to swing the hammer.
to keep to t he theme of this thread, I'd go for plywood as the base, it just seems to be stronger, size for size.

[IRONROOSTER]

I'd skip the chipboard and all its cousins (particle board, etc). I use plwood and pine boards both depending on usage. While I understand the advantages of cdx, I prefer bc it's easier on the hands and if the layout gets so wet the plys separate, you probably have to rebuild anyway. I also use screws instead of nails and am a recent convert to squarehead. Trim sheetrock screws have the squarehead, but I prefer stainless steel with a larger shank.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

I'd skip the chipboard and all its cousins (particle board, etc). I use plwood and pine boards both depending on usage. While I understand the advantages of cdx, I prefer bc it's easier on the hands and if the layout gets so wet the plys separate, you probably have to rebuild anyway. I also use screws instead of nails and am a recent convert to squarehead. Trim sheetrock screws have the squarehead, but I prefer stainless steel with a larger shank.
Enjoy
Paul

[n2mopac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by m6jp69

Plywood would be the way to go. Although chipboard is cheaper, it has tndencies to swell when it gets wet...such as dring scenery construction.

This depend upon what type of plywood you are buying too. If you are buying A/C plywood with a knot-free finished side, this is true. But when you are covering the plywood with scenery, why do you need such a finish? I use B/C plywood which has a few tight knots on the B side and is not sanded quite as finely as A/C, but has a perfectly workable surface for railroading. I have used CDX as well which is rougher on the C side but still workable. The wafer board is more expensive in comparable thicknesses than either B/C or CDX--one more reason to skip it and go with the plywood.
Ron

[n2mopac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by m6jp69

Plywood would be the way to go. Although chipboard is cheaper, it has tndencies to swell when it gets wet...such as dring scenery construction.

This depend upon what type of plywood you are buying too. If you are buying A/C plywood with a knot-free finished side, this is true. But when you are covering the plywood with scenery, why do you need such a finish? I use B/C plywood which has a few tight knots on the B side and is not sanded quite as finely as A/C, but has a perfectly workable surface for railroading. I have used CDX as well which is rougher on the C side but still workable. The wafer board is more expensive in comparable thicknesses than either B/C or CDX--one more reason to skip it and go with the plywood.
Ron