I was reading some posts about using foam and one of the posters stated that you can't extruded foam in California anymore. Is this true? Not that I don't want to trust this poster but I don't want it to be true. I will be on the foam hunt starting this weekend and now I'm behind the 8 ball. Really don't want to be using the bead board...
Thanks for any input
ratled
Modeling the Klamath River area in HO on a proto-lanced sub of the SP “The State of Jefferson Line”
ratled wrote: I was reading some posts about using foam and one of the posters stated that you can't extruded foam in California anymore. Is this true?
I was reading some posts about using foam and one of the posters stated that you can't extruded foam in California anymore. Is this true?
No, it's not true. I answer that uban legend about once a month. Here's what I wrote the last time:
cuyama wrote: A number of layouts I've been involved with here in the bay area are built with foam, so it's possible to buy it with a little effort. Pacific Supply in the East Bay is one source, already noted earlier in the thread. They also have a branch in South San FranciscoPacific Supply1675 Mission RdS San Francisco, CA 94080(415) 285-1010They don't stock the foam in S. SF, but will order any amount of the Dow (blue) foam with no minimum.I've posted this dealer-finder info before, but it might be worth doing so again.When using either of these dealer finder methods, be aware that many dealers they list do not actually stock the material, so you must phone first! In particular, they will list many Home Depot stores which do not have the stuff in stock. Phone first, then drive.Dow (maker of the blue foam) has a phone number for locating large dealers:(866) 583-2583In my experience, they often will not have a large dealer to whom they sell directly in warm-weather areas, so they refer you to nationwide distributors, who in turn will refer you to a dealer. Call the dealer names they give you first, before driving.By the way, Dow has a dizzying variety of blue foam products. The standard stuff that most people use for model railroading applications is called "Styrofoam Square Edge".http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/res-us/products/square_edge.htmOwens-Corning makes the pink foam, which they call Foamular. Their dealer finder is online:http://www.owenscorning.com/around/locator/StoreInfo.aspDid I mention to call first, then drive? Again, the dealer-finders will list many big-box home supply stores, but in warm-weather areas, most of these do not have the foam in stock. You know, it might be a good idea to phone first ...Byron
A number of layouts I've been involved with here in the bay area are built with foam, so it's possible to buy it with a little effort. Pacific Supply in the East Bay is one source, already noted earlier in the thread. They also have a branch in South San Francisco
Pacific Supply1675 Mission RdS San Francisco, CA 94080(415) 285-1010
They don't stock the foam in S. SF, but will order any amount of the Dow (blue) foam with no minimum.
I've posted this dealer-finder info before, but it might be worth doing so again.
When using either of these dealer finder methods, be aware that many dealers they list do not actually stock the material, so you must phone first! In particular, they will list many Home Depot stores which do not have the stuff in stock. Phone first, then drive.
Dow (maker of the blue foam) has a phone number for locating large dealers:(866) 583-2583In my experience, they often will not have a large dealer to whom they sell directly in warm-weather areas, so they refer you to nationwide distributors, who in turn will refer you to a dealer. Call the dealer names they give you first, before driving.By the way, Dow has a dizzying variety of blue foam products. The standard stuff that most people use for model railroading applications is called "Styrofoam Square Edge".http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/res-us/products/square_edge.htmOwens-Corning makes the pink foam, which they call Foamular. Their dealer finder is online:http://www.owenscorning.com/around/locator/StoreInfo.asp
Did I mention to call first, then drive? Again, the dealer-finders will list many big-box home supply stores, but in warm-weather areas, most of these do not have the foam in stock. You know, it might be a good idea to phone first ...
Byron
In the East Bay, try
Pacific Supply1735 24th St.Oakland510-832-5724
In So Cal, try one of the dealer-finder methods noted above ... but call first! The big box stores will not generally stock extruded faom in areas that don't have a lot of basement construction.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Thanks for the fast reply. Looks like a weekend of phone calls.
You can also get it at:
Lumberman's Construction
1960 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
415-621-7294
between 15th & 16th Sts.
Cuyama--
Glad it's available in the Bay Area, but here in the Central Valley nobody stocks it anymore, even the big box stores. Closest I can get it is Reno, NV, which is a much easier drive for me than heading to the Bay Area.
It really shouldn't be THAT hard to get hold of, anywhere in CA--besides being useful in MR situations, it's a terrific insulation material.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
here on the "right" coast we don't have any problem with foam, my question is, is there a difference between the pink foam and the blue floam, I am starting a n scale layout and the only one I can find is blue foam, either in 4x8 sheets or in 2x8 sheets. My layout is 36"x72", if I go with the 2x8 sheets is there any special way to connect them? I am putting the foam over a sheet of plywood.
Blue vs Pink? same foam, different manufacturers. Have to be different from each other dont ya know...
Theres a place here in Burbank, too. just do a local search for construction foam suppliers, most wil carry it. Home Despot will only have the most basic of basic foams out here. You need to go to the contractor and manufacturers suppliers.
Have fun with your trains
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
twhite wrote: Glad it's available in the Bay Area, but here in the Central Valley nobody stocks it anymore, even the big box stores. Closest I can get it is Reno, NV, which is a much easier drive for me than heading to the Bay Area. It really shouldn't be THAT hard to get hold of, anywhere in CA--besides being useful in MR situations, it's a terrific insulation material.
Tom, I am working with someone in the Central Valley who bought some of the pink in Valley Springs. Still a schlep, but maybe closer for you than NV.
Valley Springs Home Center72 Hwy 26Valley Springs, CA 95252209-772-1337
I talked to them this morning and they said they are temporarily out of the 2", but have 1" and 1 1/2" in stock. Try the dealer finder when you need it again ... just call first.
The stuff seems to be more available where it's colder in the winter and especially where basements and/or floor radiant heating systems are more common. I think that's where contractors are using it.
In my experience, you are much less likely to find it in the big box stores than in the smaller contractor supply and insulation dealers.
ByronModel RR Blog
on30francisco wrote:You can also get it at:Lumberman's Construction 1960 Folsom St.San Francisco, CA 94110415-621-7294between 15th & 16th Sts.
FWIW I was by there today; the only foam was the light-colored, foil covered kind. No blue or pink.
Byron thanks for the info. After numerous phone calls and trying to expalin what I wanted I just went ahaead and called Pacific Supply. 2 hours later I had my 10 sheets of 2" at home. Thanks again
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I am currently building a backdrop that is to be light so as to be removeable easily. I am backing the outside of the layout with 1/8" hardboard. I figured I would go with the blue stuff so if a gouge gets in it the blue won't look nearly as bad in the backdrop as a pink gouge would look in the sky. Otherwise it seems to work the the same. I bet the chemical composition is nearly identical except for the dye.
Paul
Dayton and Mad River Railroad
vsmith wrote:Blue vs Pink? same foam, different manufacturers. Have to be different from each other dont ya know...Theres a place here in Burbank, too. just do a local search for construction foam suppliers, most wil carry it. Home Despot will only have the most basic of basic foams out here. You need to go to the contractor and manufacturers suppliers.
It's called Foam Sales and Marketing, near Victory Blvd:
Foam Sales and Marketing 1005 West Isabel Street Burbank, California 91506
Telephone: 818.558.5717 Fax: 818.558.5724 E-mail: foamsales@evodata.net
I got my blue foam from them. They also supply a lot of the TV/movie studios as lots of sets and props are fashioned out of extruded stryofoam.
ratled wrote: Byron thanks for the info. After numerous phone calls and trying to expalin what I wanted I just went ahaead and called Pacific Supply. 2 hours later I had my 10 sheets of 2" at home.
Byron thanks for the info. After numerous phone calls and trying to expalin what I wanted I just went ahaead and called Pacific Supply. 2 hours later I had my 10 sheets of 2" at home.
Always good to hear a success story. A good example of why it always pays to call first when searching for extruded foam in mild-winter areas.
cuyama wrote: twhite wrote: Glad it's available in the Bay Area, but here in the Central Valley nobody stocks it anymore, even the big box stores. Closest I can get it is Reno, NV, which is a much easier drive for me than heading to the Bay Area. It really shouldn't be THAT hard to get hold of, anywhere in CA--besides being useful in MR situations, it's a terrific insulation material.Tom, I am working with someone in the Central Valley who bought some of the pink in Valley Springs. Still a schlep, but maybe closer for you than NV.Valley Springs Home Center72 Hwy 26Valley Springs, CA 95252209-772-1337I talked to them this morning and they said they are temporarily out of the 2", but have 1" and 1 1/2" in stock. Try the dealer finder when you need it again ... just call first.The stuff seems to be more available where it's colder in the winter and especially where basements and/or floor radiant heating systems are more common. I think that's where contractors are using it.In my experience, you are much less likely to find it in the big box stores than in the smaller contractor supply and insulation dealers.ByronModel RR Blog
Byron--thanks for the information. Actually, Valley Springs isn't that bad a drive for me, I just take State Hwy 49 south and turn east just before San Andreas. Been there a lot, and the traffic certainly isn't as bad on 49 as it is heading up 80 to Reno.
Appreciate the information. I'll check it out.
Yes!! Pacific Supply in Oakland has lots of the Dow blue foam in all thicknesses. (At least in 2' x' 8'). Right off the Bay Bridge.
They have a bunch of locations in Northern CA, as well as a few in AZ, NV, OR, UT:
http://pacificsupply.paccoast.com/default.asp?pageID=264
Though I don't know if they all stock blue foam.
twhite wrote: cuyama wrote: twhite wrote: Glad it's available in the Bay Area, but here in the Central Valley nobody stocks it anymore, even the big box stores. Closest I can get it is Reno, NV, which is a much easier drive for me than heading to the Bay Area. It really shouldn't be THAT hard to get hold of, anywhere in CA--besides being useful in MR situations, it's a terrific insulation material.Tom, I am working with someone in the Central Valley who bought some of the pink in Valley Springs. Still a schlep, but maybe closer for you than NV.Valley Springs Home Center72 Hwy 26Valley Springs, CA 95252209-772-1337I talked to them this morning and they said they are temporarily out of the 2", but have 1" and 1 1/2" in stock. Try the dealer finder when you need it again ... just call first.The stuff seems to be more available where it's colder in the winter and especially where basements and/or floor radiant heating systems are more common. I think that's where contractors are using it.In my experience, you are much less likely to find it in the big box stores than in the smaller contractor supply and insulation dealers.ByronModel RR BlogByron--thanks for the information. Actually, Valley Springs isn't that bad a drive for me, I just take State Hwy 49 south and turn east just before San Andreas. Been there a lot, and the traffic certainly isn't as bad on 49 as it is heading up 80 to Reno. Appreciate the information. I'll check it out. Tom
Thanks from me, too, Byron. I'm in Pioneer, uphill on CA 88 from Jackson.
BTW, Tom, Pacific Supply also has a location in Rancho Cordova. http://pacificsupply.paccoast.com/default.asp?pageID=264&city=Rancho%20Cordova&stateID=13
Andre