HO Figures (Best way to attach to layout?)

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Any suggestions on the best way to attach HO figures to the layout?

What if you want to move them later to a different location?

2

Frank,

How 'bout rubber cement? (Course, I don’t know what that would do to extruded foam - if that is what you might be attaching it to.) Another suggestion is Hob-e-tac. Make sure you let it dry thoroughly so that it becomes tacky.

Tom

3

I use a small dab of white glue. Seems to work well for me.

Tom

4

I’ve used glue, but what I like better is drilling a small hole into one of the feet and inserting a piece of paper clip until it extends about 1/4" It stays put and I can move it at a whim.

5

There used to be on the market a little container of special wax,I suppose beeswax would work, A tiny ball of this wax under the figure will hold it in place and make it removable later. Sorry,I forgot the source.I’m afraid it might be called embalmers wax.r

6

Rockler’s Woodworking stores sell a VERY thick CA glue with a spray bottle of accelerator. A tiny dab of CA on the feet, stick the figure in place with one hand and squirt with the other. Instant stick, no falling over.

7

Try snot glue. Sticks well but comes off easily and without leaving a residue.

8

Mostly, I use Aileens Tacky Glue, a craft-store product. It holds fine, but you can still get things up and easily scrape off the glue. It doesn’t set up instantly, so you have to support the figures until it does or they’ll fall over.

Sometimes, I just use CA if I’ve got limited contact surface. To get those figures off, I’d use a knife or razor blade.

9

I cut 3/8 inch squares from an old clear report cover (the kind you use in school) and glue them to the feet of figures with CA. I can move them any where I want, any time with no residue left behind. The plastic is stiff enough in this size to hold the figure upright, but clear and thin enough to be fairly unobtrusive.

Ray

10

All very good ideas. Thank you.

11

Snot glue? Forgive my ignorance here, but please tell me that has nothing to do with sticking one’s finger up one’s nose!

Jim (mourning all those wasted years of potential snot glue harvesting!)

12

That’s what i use.

13

I use hot glue, the white craft type.

Jim

14

LOL! [(-D]

It’s called snot glue because it texture, and sometimes color, are reminiscent of snot. I’m not sure where to find it anymore - probably a good crafts store. Just ask one of the clerks for snot glue.

15

I’d kinda like to watch that exchange. [8D]

16

I’ve used Scenic Accents glue. Dries clear and tacky so figures can be moved. Like others mentioned, have to support figure while it dries.

17

Brunton, if it’s not glue, What is it?

If its snot glue? Get it?

18

Two other suggestions

  1. Clear silicone caulk. A small dap will hold the figure securely, but will allow to remove them more easily than using CA.

  2. ScenicExpress makes a figure wax adhesive just for the purpose you describe. Check it out also. Do a search for ‘wax’.

http://www.sceneryexpress.com/searchprods.asp

jktrains

19

I like the clear silicon caulk idea, and hob e tac. Although I’ve never used hob e tac and am not sure where to buy it.

20

You can find hob-e-tac where ever Woodland Scenics products are sold (sounds like a TV ad.)

Ray