What board to mount a tortoise in foam?

[electrolove]

I wonder what sort of board you use to mount a tortoise in foam from the top? Can I use plywood for example and how thick should it be?

Which screw is suitable for mounting the tortoise to the board?

What do you use?

[rrinker]

Some thin model plywood would work fine. Harder to cut up into little squares unless you have a small saw to work with. I use perforated boards from Radio Shack, 276-1396, the 6"x8" size yields me 6 squares for Tortoises plus a few scrapws I use for wire terminals and stuff. You jus have to give it a little nick with a wire cutter and then it snaps off cleanly along the line of holes. I line up the 4 best holes witht he back side of the Tortoise (the side away from the moving arm) about 1 row of holes in off the edge. I have some short 2-56 screws that I use for mounting. A hole is drilled to clear the actuator wire. It's easier to get the 2-56 screws started if you drill those holes out to the proper drill size, or else I have a 2-56 wood screw I drive in each hole and back out, to get some threads cut. It sounds more complicated than it actually is.

--Randy

[electrolove]

I'm thinking of using plywood instead, 1/4 inch thick. Is it safe to use ballast with lots of water/glue on the plywood? Or will the plywood look like a propeller when done? [:D]

[tsasala]

I used some 1/8 plywood used for subfloors and 1" drywall screws. The screws pushed right into the foam for temporary attachment while aligning the spring wire. Then I used a little silicone on the board and around the screws for permanent attachment.

Tom

oops, edit - 1/8" verses 1/4". 1/4" is too thick (IMHO).

[rrinker]

SHould be fine, if a little thick. See the other thread about using Tortoises on top of the foam, those are exactly the boards I use. In fact I got the idea from the same place, I think it's the Nor-Cal FREEMO group or something.

--Randy