I am building my first HO layout. I ordered cork bed for the track on-line. I received a box of 3’ strips of Midwest cork.
How do I lay this down for 18" curves. The cork is split in the middle. Do I need to soak it to bend it? How do I flex it for the curves?
The spllit in the middle is at an angle, the outside edges are straight. Pull the strip apart, then turn one of the halves around so that the straight edges are together. That gives you the roadbed with the sloped shoulders on each side. Lay the strip halves one at a time. Draw your track center line then lay one of the halves on one side of that line with the straight edge against the line. Fasten it down. Then lay the other half up against the first one and fasten it down. Unless the cork is very old (which it shouldn’t be), it should go around an 18" curve with no problem. Remember, you’re just bending one half of the strip at a time, so it will bend easily.
Hope this helps, and welcome to the forum.[#welcome]
You’d be better off cutting the cork in half with a utility knife, just so it doesn’t break. After I figure out exactly where I’m going to lay the track I trace along both sides with a sharpie and pick it back up then I I lay the cork down using push pins and trace along the cork with a sharpie. I pull it up and apply a thin coat of liquid Nails and relay the cork using push pins to hold it tight to surface [in my case Homasote] after the Liquid Nails hardens I pull out the push pins and sand the surface of the cork making sure I get a flat smooth surface before laying track. The better the job you do putting down the cork the better job you’ll be able to do laying track. Good luck.
You can also use White Glue to glue the cork to the Homasote top or wood top.
If you are using Blue/Pink foam then Liquid Nails for Projects (latex based) may be better than white glue
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I’ve done my entire layout (so far) with Midwest cork and haven’t had any problem with it breaking. I fold the pieces in half at the break and then gently fold them back the other way and they separate cleanly. Work a little at a time down the length of the strip and be prepared to spin it around and repeat from the opposite end once you’re about halfway down.
Working with Homosote, I’ve used white glue to secure the roadbed; running a “squiggle” of glue along the area where the cork will lay. With the track laid where it will finally be, I mark the center line at several points (several more for turns) and connect them for a full center line after removing the track. I then pin the first half down along the marked center line as a reference for the second half which is glued down and pinned. I then repeat with the second piece. Applied pressure from end to end as you’re pinning spreads the glue nicely along the entire strip of cork.
Another tip I’ve incorporated into this effort is to overlap the ends of butting strips a little and the cutting through both with a sharp Exacto. It’s seemed to give me better seams between pieces than just trying to line them up.
I’ve never been one to tell folks “here’s how it’s done” as I’ve learned too many things in life by seeing what’s worked for others and then found my own version so this is all suggestion from personal experience and not instruction. [:)]
Dave (dwRavenstar)
Thanks for all the feedback. They should include instructions for us ‘beginners’[:)]
I learn something new every day. Glad to see people posting questions and getting great answers! [bow]
–Ed