While laying homabed Ive noticed that some of the 32" pieces bend rather stiffly (18" radius) almost to the point of breaking. I should mention that Ive snapped several pieces and it was not due to my bending them in the wrong direction. Richard states that homabed can be used on 18" radii. What I would like to know is do any of you modify the machined kerfs Eg. open them up by using a razor saw or a utility knife blade that will make the kerfs wider than they come from the mill so as to get more bend space ? Or perhaps you do something else to make it easier to bend. Thanks
I have never ‘formed’ them down to 18" radius, but have done a lot of 22" radius curves. The curved stuff has 45 degree ‘kerfs’ in it. I draw out the center line of the curve and lay the outside section of the curve first. Be gentle! I use wood glue(Titebond) and tack down the curve with wire brads. I start at one end and work down the track. After the glue is dry, I pull the wire brads and ‘finish sand’ the roadbed. BTW, I used the 45 degree bevel(the 60 degree bevel was not available at the time). I even ‘made’ curvable roadbed out of straight material when I ran low one time. You can take a saber saw to them and make the kerfs longer/wider if needed.
Jim