where do i get layout foam?

[Anonymous]

i've been looking everywhere for the pink or blue foam that is used to put on top of ur table of wtvr ur using..and also to make hills and such..i can't find any..where can i find some at?

[twhite]

Well, my friend, if you live out here in Sunny California, you're out of luck, since the stuff is banned. The closest we can get here is something called Insulfoam, and it throws beads all OVER the place. If you DON'T live out here in sunny California, I'd try Home Depot or Lowe's, in their insulation department. I'm in the same boat as you--I've been using extruded foam for the past four years as a layout base for my railroad, and I just decided to un-hide a hidden return loop. Only thing I can get is 2" insulfoam, with a plastic covering, and I've had to just about double my benchwork supports for it. So far it's working okay (not great, just okay) but talk about MESSY! My poor ShopVac is yelling "No, PLEASE! NO MORE!!"
Tom

[Anonymous]

The thicker (2"), light-blue foam that I used came from a mom-and-pop builders supply company - Home Depot doesn't carry it (not in my area anyway). If you know any professional carpenters/home improvement contractors in your town, you might call them and ask where THEY get that stuff from...

[Anonymous]

Up here in the Northeast, every lumber yard or home supply store carries it. Some states have different types due to state regulations.

It's a construction material so you're not going to find it in your (or is it "ur?") local hobby shop.

Wayne

[streettrains]

what would be the smallest thickness you should go with the foam....

[Anonymous]

im hopin to go an inch thick with the foam..then get another inch thick piece for hills and such

[streettrains]

I am going with an inch foam too...

nice to have a friend that works at a lumber yard..

[Bikerdad]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Well, my friend, if you live out here in Sunny California, you're out of luck, since the stuff is banned. The closest we can get here is something called Insulfoam, and it throws beads all OVER the place. If you DON'T live out here in sunny California, I'd try Home Depot or Lowe's, in their insulation department. I'm in the same boat as you--I've been using extruded foam for the past four years as a layout base for my railroad, and I just decided to un-hide a hidden return loop. Only thing I can get is 2" insulfoam, with a plastic covering, and I've had to just about double my benchwork supports for it. So far it's working okay (not great, just okay) but talk about MESSY! My poor ShopVac is yelling "No, PLEASE! NO MORE!!"
Tom

Its not banned in SoCal, the market simply has very little need for it outside of commercial refrigeration installations. Regardless of where you live, companies that install walk-in freezers (used in convenience stores and fast food restaruants nationwide) will use the extruded foam. All you have to do is find their supplier, which is usually a commercial insulation supplier.

In SoCal, you can head over to Burbank, there's a foam supplier there who carries EVERYTHING, including extruded foam products used over the hill in Hollywood for sets.

[WSOR 3801]

You could also go to a construction site and ask for the scrap pieces. The "scrap" will be good for scenery, hills, etc. Or go to the Home Depot, Lowe's or Menards and see if they have any scrap to get rid of. If the forklift jockey messes up a piece with the fork, you might be able to pick it up for free or reduced cost.

Mike

[Anonymous]

Here in Oregon, we can get the foam at Home Depot and Lowes, you should be able to get it at any Building,lumber or insulation stores

[Bikerdad]

For those of you suggesting "go to a construction site and pick some up" or "go to a Big Box and see if you can get some of their scraps", it's not that easy for folks who live in the Sunbelt. The lack of frost and groundfreeze means that there's little need for extruded foam, so those solutions very rarely work for somebody in SoCal, Arizona, Florida, Texas, etc.

Commerical insulation suppliers are your best bet in the Sunbelt.

[Anonymous]

Can you get some from a neighboring state and have them shipped to you?
They are very light and the shipping shouldn't make you feel like you got robbed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brkracin

Can you get some from a neighboring state and have them shipped to you?
They are very light and the shipping shouldn't make you feel like you got robbed

Volume (space) is also a factor in the shipping cost, as is weight.