Using Cork as base above the 1/4 inch plywood

[Anonymous]

My base table is built using for the top 1/4" luan wood. Sturdy enough but I would like to place 1" cork on top and glue it to the luan thus making a good solid top but soft enough for nails or gluing down cork roadbed for the tracks. My problem is that I cannot find cork in say 4' x8' sheets. I have tried Home Depot and Lowes. Where else can I try?

[Anonymous]

Sheet cork is used in the hardwood flooring industry as a sound deadening underlayment. I would look in the phone book for a hardwood flooring installer. They may have a rollend they might sell you. By the way, I believe spec on that underlayment would be about 3/8" thick. Also it costs around three to four dollars a square foot. The floor guy can only buy it in 200 sqft rolls if memory serves correct.

[1train]

Don't bother, if you have a good base, use cork or foam track bed. It will work just as well and is easier. you can find both at your local hobbie shop. Trust me I know I am a 1st timer.
good luck!
Tom

[Anonymous]

Hello Allenaki,

You're better off putting a layer of 1/2" Homasote over that luan plywood. It's denser and will hold track nails better; it's cheaper; and you can glue cork roadbed on top of it if you wish.

You can find Homasote at most Home Depots. I haven't shopped for it at Lowe's, but I suspect they carry it.

Hope this helps,

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com

[Anonymous]

Paul I totaly agree. If I could find cork 1" thick it would cost a fortune. I think the Homosote is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

The blue or pink foam is the way to go and is found at Home Depot or Lowes.The sizes available(at least in my area)are 1/2" and 3/4".To get more thickness just add more layers.The 4X8 sheets are about $8.00-$9.00.Just glue with yellow glue,works fine and is inexpensive.Use blade,score it,and just bend the opposite direction,"pop"it goes.Oh yeah,peel off the plastic that protects the foam in transit,peels off easy.I learned the hard way,glued it down and the plastic separated from the plywood.Foam peeled right up and had to glue it all over again after peeling off the plastic sheet.Sticks great now.