Homosote/foamboard

[Anonymous]

Hi.I would like some information about Homosote. I've just retierd and have not built a layout since the 1960. In the Gresham, Oregon area I have not found anyone that handles Homosote, is this a obsolete product. Will foam board work for roadbed and table top or will it be to soft, also will nails and spikes stay in. Thanks starting all over again Gary.

[orsonroy]

You can still find Homasote at some "home improvement centers". One of three Home Depots in my area carries it. If you need enough, most places will special order it. There's also a company that makes a product called Homabed, which is premilled Homasote roadbed.

As for foam, it won't take nails at all; you have to use some sort of adhesive. Do a search in this forum for "foam", and you'll find more than enough information on the pro's and con's of building a layout out of foam (personally, I prefer foam based layout construction for lots of reasons I won't get into now).

An odd compromise would be to mount Homabed on top of 2" foam board, allowing you to nail down track (you could also cut your own roadbed out of 1/4" Lauan plywood, which is relatively soft, readily available, and inexpensive). Of course, the Homasote will add considerably to your overall layout cost.

[Anonymous]

Homasote is hard to find. Go to www.homasote.com , they have a dealer search function there. Bear in mind that the foam board that folks use is nasty stuff in the event of a fire....burns fast and gives off toxic fumes. Homasote, being recycled paper, will burn, but not as fast and gives off no toxic fumes.

[Anonymous]

Parr lumber in Portland carries homasote. At least they did ~ 12 months ago. Give them a try if they have a yard out in Gresham.

craig in PDX

[Anonymous]

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE INFORMATION GUY'S, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

[nickatnet]

I just started a new N-scale layout and am using 1/2" Homasote for the subroadbed. I was following the intructions in the book, "How to build model railroad benchwork" by Linn H. Westcott and found on page 46 that it is not necessary to lay the Homasote over plywood, and that it is firm enough to hold nails. I have one portion laid now and it is very strong. I'm not worried about it holding nails because I'm using AMI Instant Roadbed which as far as I'm concerned is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It sticks firmly to the homasote and I just press the flex-track into it and it holds firm. I had problems finding Homasote also, here in the Redding CA. area, until I went to the Homasote web site and found a dealer only 8 miles away. Good luck and have fun.

[rrinker]

If you are goign to handlay track - homosote is the way to go.

If you are going to use flex track - foam board works great! no nails or spikes, the latest and greatest is latex caulk, spready a thin bead, spread it out with a putty knife, and stick the roadbed in pace (cork or foam, works with either). Same thing on top of the roadbed, and stick the trackin place. fast, easy, no muss, no fuss, goes down VERY quickly, and easy enough to peel it up if you goof or want to change something later. I was skeptical until I tried it, now I will never go back.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

go to homasote.com . there is link to find retailers of their product in your area. i was going to use homasote until i found out that is was going for $25.00 a 4 x 8 x 1/2 sheet.
decided to go with foamboard over plywood.