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ogdentowebercanyon
Section Hand
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 Posted - 03/06/2007 : 4:42:13 PM
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I want to start assembling some of my structures but I do not know what type of base I want to put them on. I will eventually place them on my to be built layout so I would assume a piece of wood for the base but what thickness? What type, plywood, MDF, etc...? I want somehting that is going to be stable and solid. I am not interested in using the blue or pink foam though. Thanks.
Jason
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rtbaron
Crew Chief
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Posted - 03/06/2007 : 5:05:35 PM
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Jason....I use 3/16 SRV Tempered Hardboard purchased at Home Depot for about $3-$4 for a
24"x48" sheet. It is more stable than regular hardboard. Since I do O scale, for anything really
large I use 3/4" plywood. I don't want to go back and try to fix any problems in the future.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 621 |
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Tabooma County Rwy
Fireman
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Posted - 03/06/2007 : 5:45:26 PM
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Jason, I've lately been using Gatorboard or Gatorfoam (same thing). It is about 3/16" thick, and doesn't warp. It is available from Micro Mark, and also at art supply stores.
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Country: USA
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hvig
Crew Chief
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Posted - 03/06/2007 : 5:45:30 PM
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I use the pink foam board, but if I was going to exclude it, if I wanted flatness I'd use 1/2" MDF, if I wanted just a cheap stiff surface, I'd use a scrap cut of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood depending on what cutoffs I had.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 986 |
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TRAINS1941
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/06/2007 : 5:52:25 PM
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Jason
If you want sturdy and will not warp trouble free 3/4" Birch Plywood a little expensive but it will be well worth the extra money.
Jerry
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Jerry
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are. |
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Country: USA
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jlg759
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 03/06/2007 : 9:31:13 PM
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I second the use of Gatorfoam it's great stuff
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Country: USA
| Posts: 187 |
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Danny Head
Fireman
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 11:26:40 AM
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Jason, on my current project, I changed my base from the way I usually work. First, I used a scrap piece of plywood (1/4 or thicker) and then "skinned" it over with styrofoam. The reason I did this, is that the plywood gives a rigid base, but is perfectly flat. Perfectly flat is okay if it is only going directly under a structure that is sitting on a perfectly flat lot. But in most cases, especially if it is going to be a small diorama, the ground will have some variation in elevations even if it is very little. The styrofoam "skin" will allow variation in the elevations.
In order to provide for this more realistic look, I keep scraps of this styrofoam on hand. The best scraps come from construction sites where they use the foam on commercial buildings and then apply a stucco finish as a covering.
So, with that said, I take the foam sheet scraps in hand and use a small saw to reduce the thickness to about 1/4 inch. Then I glue it to the plywood base, factory edge down, with white glue or construction adhesive. The foam top can be shaped or thinned down with a dull razor blade. The foam top offers a better surface for ground cover and makes it easy to "plant" your structure or scenery. Danny
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Country: USA
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postalkarl
Fireman
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Posted - 03/07/2007 : 12:07:47 PM
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Hi Guys:
I was pretty much using pink foam. But as I build more dioramas I think I will switch to Gator Board. It's a little expensive but is very nice stuff. I believe it comes in black, white & tan. The nice thing about it is it doesn't warp and actually has a memorey so it doen't get dents very easily.
Karl S.
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