Subsitute for Homasote

[Repairman87]

Hello Everybody,

I am going to build a switching layout and have been looking all over the place for Homasote. I want to use it because I dont want to have to try and put cork under everything. I have found a supplier locally but the only sell wholesell. I hope to find something soon as this is the only thing holding up the works. I have the benchwork done. Thanks for any help

[dknelson]

Where I live certain of the "big box" home supply stores, in addition to having lumber yards out back, also sell precut and finished lumber inside. For example you can buy 2 ft by 4 ft handi-panels of plywood, the same size for masonite etc. They sell homasote that way too in 2 by 4 foot panels. I was a bit surprised to see it there but was nonetheless happy -- that is a good size to fit in my Toyota.
I believe the homasote people have a website with an 800 number and they might know of local sources of retain supply.
I suppose the other possibility is to ask the source who their wholesale customers are and contact them to see if it is possible to share an order, or even get scraps.
By the way -- following advice from Model Railroader I coat my homasote with shellac to prevent or at least reduce warpage. I also try to cut it outside as it creates lots of gray dust (it is made from newspapers).
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

If I can suggest an alternative. I had a recent open house at my layout and when I showed those who asked I recieved a number of nods of approval. Acoustical ceiling tile. I use the back which has a solid surface and is a brownish gray color. They come in 2'x4' sheets and in packages of 5 or 10 at most major outlets. And its quite a bit cheaper than homasote. I glue the sheets down staggering the joints over the plywood joints and then paint the backs a dark color. The material is a bit softer so it does not hold track nails as solidly as homasote. But I usually end up gluing my track down anyway with construction adhesive so I don't need nails. The sound deadening is just as good. Maybe give it a try.
John

[SOTATRR]

John,
Have you had any problems with the tile coming apart as you are working with the track?

[Anonymous]

Go to their web site at www.homasote.com click where to buy it, then enter your zip code and if there any retail dealers in your area they will inform you who they are. I use it on all my layouts, I paint both sides and edges with flat latex paint,it's a paper product this helps with moisture control and the paint also deters little critters that like to eat paper. Cut it with a saber saw using a knife edge blade sold at Sears and you wont have the dust problem but wear a mask when you cut it. Hope this helps.
Bee Line

[Anonymous]

Try homabed.com
I have used their stuff before and it works great

[alpreston]

I'd like to know of a substitute, also. Nobody, not even Home Depot and the like, seems to carry Homasote here.

[wp8thsub]

I second the vote for Homabed. It's an outstanding product that eliminates the problems of cutting roadbed out of Homasote sheets yourself. Go to their site at http://www.homabed.com . Unlike cork, Celotex or most ceiling tile it holds spikes well, which means you can easily use scale track products like Micro Engineering or even handlay.