To make a foundation for hard shell scenery, I'm thinking of using hot glue to attach cardboard strips to the layout subroadbed, fasica, etc.
I see that glue guns come in low/dual/high temp models, and glue sticks come in low/high/multi temp ranges.
Which of these would be best for installing the cardboard webbing... or does it matter?
Jim
In my opinion, for what you're doing I suspect 'cheaper is better' -- you'd want the soft, flexible glue, and that's usually the low-temperature kind. Harder glue might might start to rip the face off the cardboard when you load it.
For the kind of work I think you're proposing, a more important gun feature will be effective ease in loading sticks and dispensing, including 'pullback' without dribbling.
Cost of the sticks is also important. In my experience both small-diameter and large-diameter sticks come at a premium price.
If you have, or are considering, other crafts that use the higher temperature glue, then a dual-temp model may be worthwhile.
Take careful pictures as you work (including of any 'missteps' you might make on the way) and document them here.
I've tried both and prefer the high temp glue. It gives more working time to get the pieces lined up and secured before it cools.
Rob Spangler
AFAIK there was only one temp glue in the 80's when I used this technique, high temp. You can use elmers glue, but that takes too long to dry and you run out of clothes pins
You aren't going to rip the cardboard with less flexible glue because there are no sheer forces.
You want to use low temp with foam, but you are not doing that technique.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
OvermodFor the kind of work I think you're proposing, a more important gun feature will be effective ease in loading sticks and dispensing, including 'pullback' without dribbling.
As Overmod points out, the worst part of using a cheap gun like I have is that the glue runs off whenever I set the gun down. I have to be very careful where I work and where I lay the gun or I will have glue all over the place.
York1 John
My own experience is that I had better results using a stapler to fasten the cardboard strips to wood and the hot glue gun for fastening the cardboard strips to each other.
Dave Nelson
After I read the book of Howard Zane about his HO layout, I use hot glue, staples and masking tape to glue the carboard strips but also the hardshell because I use Red Rosin Paper hardshell and no more for ever, plaster .
I have never take a look of the kind of glue I use, don't know if this glue is the hot one stuff of the low temp one, it's just a Pattex brand I find in hardware store.
The only drawback I have and I have used other stuff of hot glue, is the small "wire" glue which are a bit invasiv.
When my hardshell and the Rosin paper is glued I paint the whole stuff with full strong white glue with a brush; the glue is mixed with green or brown latex paint to definitively hide the red color of the paper
Scenery materials comes after as usual.
Quick, neat, no dust, really a dream in a railroald area.
What are you securing to cardboard to for subroadbed? I can speak to using foam and found that an inepensive glue gun works. There's no need to go crazy on getting an expensive gun. I got mine and a package of glue sticks from Michaels.
I didn't know there were different types of glue sticks. I just buy whatever I find at Walmart and set my glue gun hi/lo setting to high.
I went a little nutty on my last layout - sort of "raster scanning" the landforms with cardboard strips. It seemed to work well so I am planning to use a similar technique on the next one.
I used plaster gauz over the cardboard strips.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I used this method on an expansion section (20x25') to the existing layout. I used hot glue to attach the cardboard strips, but I added staples to give it a stronger bond. Be careful when stapling if the glue is still hot (don't ask me how I know). Better yet, wear some leather work gloves.
I didn't make the cardboard strips uniform when I attached them together. This aids in having rolling scenery. I then covered the area with plaster cloth. To cut down on the mess, instead of dipping the plaster cloth in water, I cut it to shape, then thoroughly wet it with a wide paint brust.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
I found applying the plaster gauz to have very little mess. I did cut the gauz into squares about 7 or 8 inches wide and used a roller paint pan to dip them in water and the drape allowing some water to drip into the pan first. There was a few drips of water but no big deal.
hardcoalcaseWhich of these would be best for installing the cardboard webbing... or does it matter?
I really don't think it matters.
I use a high temperature glue gun and multi-temp glue sticks. I use el-cheapo spring clamps to hold it together while the glue cools.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I tend to model flatter scenery with hills that I can make from crumpled up newspaper under plaster covered paper towels. Haven't had to do the land form thing.
Just curious, how long does it take to cut up all of those cardboard strips, and what do you use to cut them so precisely?
The work looks very uniform.
- Douglas
York1 the worst part of using a cheap gun like I have is that the glue runs off whenever I set the gun down.
I have a very expensive glue gun, and glue runs off every time I set it down.
DoughlessJust curious, how long does it take to cut up all of those cardboard strips, and what do you use to cut them so precisely?
No time at all. I use a metal yardstick and a sharp utility knife. I use the width of the yardstick as the "standard" width of a cardboard strip.
Doughless I tend to model flatter scenery with hills that I can make from crumpled up newspaper under plaster covered paper towels. Haven't had to do the land form thing. Just curious, how long does it take to cut up all of those cardboard strips, and what do you use to cut them so precisely? The work looks very uniform.
I bought a box of 90 strips from Micro-Mark.
Cardboard strips
Medina1128I bought a box of 90 strips from Micro-Mark.
That's pretty cool.
I plan to make all of mine from the boxes my train stuff is packed in when I get my train room done.