Turntable pit casting material?

[Jetrock]

I am working on a turntable/roundhouse area and the next step is to create the turntable pit itself. My base material is 3" of Styrofoam, and I have a hole cut in it to the specified dimensions, and am using three layers of foamcore to build up the edges to the level where the pit rail will be located.

Here's the question: What is the best material for pouring the pit itself? I was originally planning on Hydrocal but wonder if some other material like drywall compound or other material might work better. The material must be smooth and must be easily spreadable using a form to shape the pit walls, and absolutely must not shrink or crack while drying.

Thanks for any advice...

[nfmisso]

There are many materials that will work, but as to which is best - it depends on your particular situation and skills. I would use Durham's water putty.

[areibel]

Great idea Nigel! I use Durham's all the time at work but wouldn't have thought of it for something like this!
Probably the easiest way would be to cut your pit a little bigger, then use something to make a circular dam to form the walls. Then you could just pour Durham's into the void, let it set and boom! You have walls!

[dharmon]

Don't sell your self short jetrock....

I think you'd do great in the role of a turntable.......or a part in any movie.....just set your mind to it....[:D]

[Jetrock]

I have heard a lot of good things about Durham's Water Putty for use on things like streets...I may just go with Hydrocal since I have already spent a lot of money on this project. The turntable itself was my first board-by-board construction project (craftsman kit) which turned out pretty well, and I want the pit to look good too.

dharmon: currently I'm studying for a role as the lead villain in a kung-fu zombie movie, as soon as the director can get someone to pay for it...

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock



dharmon: currently I'm studying for a role as the lead villain in a kung-fu zombie movie, as soon as the director can get someone to pay for it...

Its good to diversify your roles early...if you start doing only parts as a turntable..you'll be type-cast....hehe..........just ask William Shatner

[Fergmiester]

Great ideas guys! That will be my next and hopefully last step needed to complete my turntable. I've been toying with the idea of using cut up balsa that will be made to look like a stonewall. I've seen it before and I'm impressed by it though it will be alot more time consuming. The question is were stone walls just for small pits or could they be found on any size pit?

[Fergmiester]

One thing I should mention is that I sunk my pit into 1 1/2" styrofoam and sunk a (are you ready for this one) 17 1/2" x 3/4" times 2 wooden round needle point form. amazing what you can find in a "craft" store. Now that I've read about some of the plasters you guys are using I may have to rethink this one. One thing I am wondering about is how to affix/lay the rail in the pit, any ideas?

[Jetrock]

I'm working on that myself...the SS Ltd. kit recommends cutting 120 or so 3' lengths of tie and gluing them to the inner ring with Walthers Goo, then laying the rail on top of it (smeared with Goo) and using a soldering iron to vulcanize the Goo onto the rail. I currently have a 3' length of Code 83 flextrack with one rail taken out (it was used for the rail on the turntable itself) and was considering, since the flextrack is already attached to the plastic ties, just cutting those to 3' length and attaching it to the pit floor.

dharmon: Cast aside your comments, or at least cast your fishing pole into different waters--Keep it up and you'll find yourself cast into a deep, deep pit of a different sort, and wind up in a body cast! At the very least you might find yourself castigated!