I’m looking for an alternative to Homasote for my small N scale 2 x 6 layout.
One thing I saw that interested me was Frank53’s innovative use of ceiling tiles.
Does anyone else have any other suggestions?
I use a product called Sound Board that is made from compressed sugar cane, wood scraps, and other types of vegetation. It comes in 4x8 foot, 1/2 inch thick sheets and is sold in the insulation section of lumber yards here in Arizona. It is cheaper than Homosote and is easier to work with. It can be cut with a power or hand saw and you can carve down into it for streams and gullies. It is much denser than ceiling tile and will hold track spikes or nails well. It can be glued down with latex caulking.
Are you thinking about homosote for a layout base, or homosote fragments for cliff faces?
For a layout base, I’d strongly recommend extruded foam, the 2-inch-thick stuff use for construction insulation. It’s stiffer, lighter and generally cheaper than homosote. It’s also easier to work with.
For cliff faces, there are numerous options. I personally have been using hydrocal castings, but later in the year I’ll be experimenting with Bragdon foam. (I promise to post pictures, but I’m not there yet. Try www.bragdonent.com for their pics.) Sue (gear-jammer) has posted quite a few pictures of which she is justly proud. (Editorial warning: Watch out for naked cowboys.) Art Hill’s canyon is carved from extruded foam. Those of us who have watched it mature from layers of pink, blue and even green foam have just marvelled at the artistry Art has displayed.
Let us know how you’re doing, and give us some photos to look at, OK?
Yeah, I think I will check that out.
I like Frank53’s idea, but I’m afraid in my small apartment, working with ceiling tile might be a bit too much/a little too messy.
Messy is temporary and can be changed easily with a vacuum or a broom. Noisy layouts, on the other hand, tend to be long-lived, or are quickly relegated to a waste of time and cash when they are prematurely demolished.
Consider an vinyl underlay material over 1/4" MDF of plywood.
Trouble I find with any sheet wood other than high quality ply is that over time and with weather and/or movement it can delaminate… and it always delaminates at the worst possible spot. The ply is expensive and a bit tough to work with but once done it is done for a very long time.
[8D]
[:-^]
In my yards I have used hollow core doors with ceiling tile on top. I use the caulking method of holding the track. On the main and branch I use WS foam roadbed, some of which is plywood an in others on the ceiling tile. I have no complaints. It is definately quieter that the foam roadbed on extruded foam.
Keep smiling ya all, it looks good on ya.
James:1 Verse:5
You have to just love the “Old Wobbly” don’t cha ??
So I’ve been convinced to use Ceiling Tiles.
Any suggestions on what to use to paint them?
I do not know if or how this would work, but I saw something in a Lowe’s flyer last week that had me pondering…a new moisture/mold resistant drywall substitute that instead of being paper-faced, has some kind of fiberglass coating. Not only is it supposed to be moisture resistant (therefore more resistant to humidity expansion/contraction I’d think), it’s supposed to be structurally stronger. I wish now I’d made note of the brand name.