If weight is the issue, you might want to look into “Geodesic Foam” by Bragdon Enterprises:
I’ve seen this on layouts, and with good painting it is positively convincing. I actually had to touch it to determine whether or not it was real rock. Once again, though, it’s more expensive than simple Hydrocal casting.
According to pages 98 through 106 of the Scenic Express Catalog #13, Flexrock is made by a company called Terrain Systems, not Mountains in Minutes. Flexrock is described as “duplicates of actual highly detailed rock formations, moulded in semi-rigid urethane foam (Foam Rubber).”
A 17-inch long, 7.5-inch high, 1.5-inch thick casting is $18.98 plus shipping.
No it’s not. I’m using the flexrocks on my layout because:
One sheet purchased at a LHS for $16 did all the rocks on my 36"x80" N scale central PA layout. Granted, in a larger scale with a larger layout, or a western theme with more rocks, it would surely be a larger investment. But, for a PORTABLE layout that needs to be light and resilient, you can’t beat it. Hoorah for Mountains in Minutes!
Classic…utterly classic, thanks for the laugh.
In boatbuilding book I have, they warn that this stuff can expand dangerously. They recommend it for insulating between a plastic shell and your cabinet work to make an icebox, but make it clear that too much of the stuff will expand till the boatt’s fiberglass hull cracks. I guess it’s better to err and use too little than too much.
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MM0502
This is the EXACT product in the issue. Look at the two. Identical in everything. As for the Mountains in Minutes…well…as an educated guess with product numbers on order forms, generally speaking alot of the time you put the initial(s) or abbreviation of the manufacturer somewhere in the number. I see an MM in the product number. Just a educated guess, but I think it is from the same folks at Mountains in Minutes.
http://kc.pennsyrr.com/layouts/dvollmer/
In this article it is also again refered to as Mountains in Minutes Flexrock.
Yep, that’s my website. The package I purchased it in clearly said “Mountains in Minutes.”
Here’s what it looks like painted:
I didn’t even pay attention to the names. I feel like almost embarrassed now. But anyways, those look really nice. I am thinking very seriously about using them on my upcoming layout. I haven’t built one in about 7 years, and like mentioned previously. I am even amazed at the leap forward in layout contruction. I went to the hobby store over the winter last year and as chatting. They told me about the use of Styrofoam insulation for landscaping. I was like…“huh”. And after reading up more and more. I like it. Previously also there was a comment about people no wanting everything RTR. I think people don’t want everythign RTR. Just somethings to shorten certain areas of building. Like in this case, mountains/rock formations. I hated having to spend weeks and hearing complaints from the wife while I was making casts out of Hydrocal. Then, having to spend more time carving them to fit where I needed them. I am inspired when I see things like in the April edition of MMR the 200 hours it took to make the wooden bridge. That is where I myself would rather spend my time, on projects like that. Anyways, Dave, your layout looks wonderful. Great work !
I used the spray foam used for housing insulation (the small expansion one). My mountain kept growing for over 2 years… If this stuff is anything like the house insulation stuff, you’ll be patching cracks and holes for a while. Just my 2c.
However, the plus side was it was extremely easy to use. just mold out the tunnel and use some crumpled paper for a general form and spray the foam all over. Once its “dry” then you can cut it to your desired shape and glue on rock molds.
I realize this isn’t “mountains in minutes” but its another alternative.
Just got off the phone with the guys at Isle. They are very much in business and busy as all get up. I will be getting some information from them via fax this afternoon. Isle is the company that makes the Mountain in Minutes Flexrock. They also are the same company that made the old “Mountains in Minutes” products. From what I can tell is this is foam rubber. Meaning there isn’t any “growing” issues. This is truly “mountains in minutes”. On a side note, they also make halloween makes and stuff…They do not have a website as of this moment, but I am told they are working on it.
EDIT: Called them back to give them my fax information. Chatted alittle more with them. They are about 20 miles north of me. They invited me up to the plant for a tour. I will update this more this afternoon when I actually recieve the fax. And more than likely when I get back from the tour, tomorrow.
I would really look at the mold to see if it can be turned in different directions so that it does not have a overlapping effect. Another Product to look at is Bragdons Geodesic scenery, I started another thread as it was a tad off topic on this one…John
Ok, finally got to go up on Saturday. They are still making the Mountains in Minutes line. But not alot of it. They have a stock of product. Their main area they now make is polyfoam standing figures. If I had a link I would show you a sample. Any how, Walthers and Sceneryexpress are their two main distributors. The owner, Dave, started Mountains in Minutes in college in his parents basement. They also have a line that is gearing towards WWII and miniature gaming. Along with an Alamo type buildings.
As for the flexibility. It is nice and flexible. They also have a polyfoam line also. Many different types of formations also.
If you have any other questions, I am sure I can find out.