I was flipping through Chapter 2 of "How to Build and detail Model railroad Scenes Volume 2" (Modeling streets, a grade crossing, and ground cover) and it mentions the use of a rasp in figure 2-5 in order to smooth the edges of foam sheet. Does anyone have any idea where I could get a rasp? I plan to have some small hills on my layout (really more like small mounds or banks).
Thanks in advance
Andy
Andy,
Your local hardware, Sears, or home improvement store should have some. They come in a variety of coarseness and with or w/o handles.
Tom
Rasp - Available at hardware stores or ‘Big Box’ home improvement stores. A very handy version of a rasp is a ‘Sureform’ tool - Stanley makes them as well as others.
Jim
I’ve never seen the book your referring to, but a rasp is like a file with teeth. Any hardware store, or lumber yard that has a tool selection, or even a big box builders store should have a selection of rasps. A rasp is usually used on wood, where you want to remove lots of material quicker than using a file, or sanding block, but it works on any “softer” building material such as wood, drywall, foam board, etc. Just about all of my scenery base is rigid extruded foam board, ( the pink and the blue sheets) and I’ve used knives, hack saw blades, rasp and the foam sanding blocks to shape the Styrofoam. If your using the white “bead board” type foam (like used in the cheap coolers) the same tools will work, but you’ll have to experiment to see what works best.
Hope that helps. Good luck !
Mike.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasp
Basically a file with coarser teeth.
The others have pretty well rung the changes on what a rasp is and where to get it. One thing I’ll mention is that using a rasp on foam - any kind, extruded or beadboard - will generate a lot of little, lightweight particles that will go EVERYWHERE and, if the humidity is low enough to allow them to hold a static charge, stick to everything. Be prepared to get aggressive about cleaning up - especially if the layout is in or connected to space shared with a significant other.
Fortunately for me, there’s no indoor connection between my layout space (double garage) and the house. If there was I would be in serious trouble. I’m married to a neat freak…
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Hi Chuck,
I’ll bet she’s not computer savy or she ain’t looking over your shoulder, careful mate.
pick.
The rasp you want for forming foam is a Sureform tool. Stanley Tools makes a good one.
I have three Surform rasps. One looks like a small block plane, the second is a long cylindrical one, but the one I have found most useful for working on the layout is called a “shaver” 21-115. It has a replaceable face about 1 3/4"x2 1/2". By being shorter than the others it is much more useful in shaping the terrain. The others have their places, but this seems to be the most useful in general.
To help control the small pieces of foam that are created, I use some static spray, made to reduce static cling in clothing. Makes considerable difference.
Good luck,
Richard
Andy
If you use a rasp, use a face mask. This is from someone that has C. O. P. D after many years of “I don’t need no stinking mask” Like I posted in another thread, I like a slim filet knife and a wet stone to keep it sharp. For what ever reason, the foam seems to dull the knife. Slice and flick off pieces of foam and you won’t have so much air born pieces to breath.
Just my opinion. Take care. [:)]
Lee
Used dryer sheets will knock down static electricity and let you wipe foam dust off tools and surfaces.