2" foam and benchwork

[Blind Bruce]

I just read the post about foam and was wondering:
IF you have no plywood, do you glue the foam to the 1X3 or 1X4 bench tops? It would seem to be MUCH stronger than nails or screws. What glue would you use for this?
BB

[HAZMAT9]

I've read and seen a video or two on using foam. The videos typically show building a cradle w/ 1X3's or 1X4's and slipping the foam in. Kinda like building a box frame. I believe that something such as Liquid Nails is used since regular glue can degredate the foam. Steve

[orsonroy]

I've only seen shelf-type no wood foam layouts, and they were wood glued directly to wood 1x3 brackets.

If I were to build a minimalist, free-standing, foam layout, I'd make two 1x4 L girders that ran the length of the layout, and would use either wood glue or silicone caulk to glue the foam to the girders. (well, OK, I wouldn't: I'd use 1/4" pine plywood, glue the foam to that, and make 2x2 legs & attachment points. It'd be MUCH simpler, a lot faster, and a little cheaper than building L girders)

[rrinker]

I have a 1x4 regular grid, cross pieces on 16" centers, and my 2" foam is glud right to that. No plywood. I used Elemer's Carpenter's Glue, the yellow stuff. I can lift the layout up by the foam and the wood doesn't fall off.
For future construction I may go to 1x3's as the 1x4's are MORE than strong enough.

- -Randy

[MisterBeasley]

I used 1x4 for the outer frame, and 1x3 for the interior rafters. The bottom of the frame and rafters is all at the same level. The foam sits on the rafters, just inside the 1x4's which thus protect the edges. I glued the foam down to the tops of the rafters with Liquid Nails for Projects. When I wanted to remove a portion of the foam (bad planning) I had to cut it off.