I have been reading in Model Railroader about modelers using homasote on their layouts. Where do you find homasote? I’ve been to every Home Depot and Lowe’s in the St. Louis area and when I ask for homasote they look at me like I’m from another planet.
Check more “local” lumberyards. Some contractors I know call it “insulation board,” so make sure you ask for that if they don’t know what Homasote is.
I have found 2’x4’ sheets of Homasote at Menards. Haven’t asked about 4’x8’sheets however.
Call the Homasote Co. at (800) 257-9491; home page http://www.homasote.com. They will give you a dealer in your area. It may be a wholesaler or trade-only dealer, in which case you can probably have a local building supply store order it for you. Industrial Plywood in Minneapolis (612) 521-4767 has 4’ x 8’ sheets of 5/8" in stock but you have to have a retail dealer order it for you. It used to more easily available. I have been using it for a long time and love it. I’ve just bought some 4’ x 8’ sheets of 5/8" homasote through a retail dealer who got it from IP. There is also 1/2" which I think is what another responder found at Menard’s - these places tend to have only 2’ x 4’ sheets. I have used this too but want to try 5/8" without any plywood underlayment. It should work well; 1/2" has. I slop dark paint on the sheets before using them which seems to keep them from shrinking or expanding with changes in humidity, and keeps their dust down. Homasote is pretty easy to cut with a utility knife although you may need 3 or 4 swipes. Cutting with a knife rather than a saw keeps the dust down. Good luck!
I hope you have found the homasote. Think outside the box(store). Most “real” lumber yards/ building material shops in the Boston area carry it in 1/2" 4x8 sheets possibly the same in St. Louis. I am a carpenter/layout builder and have used homasote for the top layer of bench work on most of the layouts I have done.
It works well for sound control as well is very easy to screw structures or track by hand.
good luck
ther is also a comany that advertices in tne back of MR that sells homasote roadbed. I think it’s called the AMERICAN HOMASSOTE COMPANY, or some thing like that. It’s a small ad. I ordered from them once, years ago, and with the order they included a flyer that said they also sell turnout pads, and homasote sheets.
Menards does carry 2’x4’ sheets, but they do not carry 4’x8’ sheets.
Hello
Try www.homabed.com