I am looking to find some “Flex-C” type track for use in my benchwork. I want to build a curved wall to bend my backdrop around and this seems like an reasonable way to go. I thought that I had seen it before at Home Depot but when I went there today to buy some, I discovered they don’t sell it. So I’m wondering, where can I buy it? I’m not concerned so much about the brand, just something similar.
Hi,
I live in Ontario, Canada. If I were looking for this kind of flexible track I would go to the drywall supply stores. This similar type of track is regularly used in construction up here and found in the the drywall supply stores that only supply drywall and such items. While you are there, ask for Hydrocal. If they have it, it will be a lot cheaper then at the hobby store. Bought a 100 lb bag for 45 dollars about 4 years ago at such a store.
Hope it helps
Frank
Hmm-- that sounds like good advice, now I just gotta figure out what store is a “drywall” store… 
I’m in the Northern VA area (Herndon / Reston specifically) does anybody know of anyplace around here? I reckon I can look online too and see if anything pops out.
Thanks for the hydrocal tip too, I’m definitely in the market for that.
John
Wow, Google doesn’t waste any time, does it?
You +1’d this publicly. Undo
6 minutes ago – I am looking to find some “Flex-C” type track for use in my benchwork. … kind of flexible track I would go to the drywall supply stores. …
Assuming you have tried both Home Depot and Lowes, have you tried Tart Lumber in Sterling?
Also, the Home Depot in Reston is a small one and one of the guys there once told me it doesn’t have everything that the others carry. You might want to check the Fairfax store.
Good luck
Paul
Hmm- I had forgotten about Tart, I’ll give them a try.
I did check online a little while ago for Home Depot and Lowes, neither had it. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it somewhere but if it wasn’t one of those two places, I’m not sure where it would have been. Anyway, thanks for the reminder about Tart. They’re down the street from my parents so that’ll give me two reasons to go over there!
John
John, depending on your trackplan/layout shape and the room it’s in, you may not need to go to such lengths. I made coved corners for all of my layout, which includes both inside and outside corners, using 1/8" Masonite.
This is a plan view of the general idea, with the red line representing the drywall tape and the green material being the drywall mud. The length of the Masonite piece is guess-timated by curving a tape measure from the edge of one joint to the edge of the other, in an arc that looks acceptable, then adding a couple of inches. Held in position and pressed firmly at its mid-point, it should “snap” into place. Once you’re satisfied with the curve, the vertical edges of the Masonite are drilled and countersunk to accept relatively-closely-spaced drywall screws, then the joint finished as usual.
The gap for an eventual second level shows the joint:
Here’s a couple of examples in place in place:
For outside corners, the set-up is similar, but involves introducing an “S” curve in the Masonite on both sides of the corner - it’s very easy to do if you make the sections of 3/8" drywall wider than for inside corners. The length of the Masonite is estimated very generously, then cut back as required. With the correct length, a second vertical row of drywall screws one stud space closer to the corner (and, of course, on both sides of the corner) automatically introduces the “S” curves. Here’s a couple of the outside curves
Wayne,
This is for a 180 degree turnback, and the actual wrap is probably closer to a 240 (give or take some) with an immediate inside curve on the back side-- it’s wrapping around a post, and it’s also double-decked and I need a place to screw the shelf stanchions for support. The stud-wall, which contains the backdrop for both sides, is to one side of the post as it starts around. It continues on around and then on past the post in the back and curves back to meet the opposite side of the stud-wall. Looking at it from the other side, on the back side of the post forms a little curved alcove. If you were looking straight down at it from up above, it would be ‘P’ shaped, except no points, everything curved.
For all of the other curves-- except maybe the ones in front of two windows-- I did similar to what you suggested, except using 1/4 inch hardboard. I supported it horizontally at several points going up, and let it form it’s own curve going through the corners. I didn’t measure them, but they’re tight-- probably in the 20-22 inch range (guesstimate).
This one curve though, the one doing the 180 around the post, is a central point, and ties into the support of the stud wall. I need to brace the wall to the post and so I figured I’d kill several birds with one stone that way. Plus, the stud uprights, as it goes around the curve, gives me a good location to hang the stanchions.
The actual track radius on the upper deck will be just enough to get a double-track around the curve with a little to spare for scenicking. The shelf will be fairly shallow. I’m estimating a 32-34 inch radius curve for the outside curve. The lower deck will be broader than that and will have four curves, two of them mainline (well, one main and one drill) and two of them sidings, where the outside curve will be around 38-40 inches. I have a little room to maneuver still, but that’s approx what I have in mind. As the mainline comes around the post to the back side it opens up into a yard,
Hello,
here is a place that might be in your area and it looks like what I was talking about: http://www.kamcosupply.com/Products/CategoryView.asp?info=Steel+Framing+Systems&CategoryID=14 , as well as this one http://cbsigms.com/products.htm . Not all of them carry Hydrocal, but it is worth asking. Here is where I get it from http://www.webster.ca/engwp.htm .
Hope it helps
Frank
Thanks! I’ll give them a look.
John
Fairfax is pretty small too. Whatever they call the Dunn Loring/Merrifield/Annandale-ish one and the Seven Corners one are the only decently sized ones Ive found. And they’re still oddly smaller than the one I had back in a town of 20,000 outside of Pittsburgh.
Why don’t you give Flex-Ability Concepts in OKC a call at 866-443-3539/405=996-5343 a call. They manufacturer this stuff and could probably put you in touch with a distributor a/o retailer in your area.
Oh, and by the way, I didn’t even know this stuff existed. Not sure where I might ever use it – I have my own concept for curving masonite – but at least now I know that it’s available.