Where can one buy the extruded foam that most of you use for scenery bases? I’ve been using chicken wire, but wish to change.
Call around to builders’ supply outfits. Home Depot or a similar play may have it, maybe not. But the place where the contractors go would surely have some, or be able to get it within a couple of days. These guys know their stuff, they call in for quick supplies all the time, and it often is urgent.
-Crandell
Lowes shows the {Blue} version online. Here:
Perhaps you can order it there or in the 1inch thick sheets.
Search for extruded foam insulation. Ignor the white beaded stuff with plastic or paper backer.
Home depot carries the pink eversion, but I dont find it readily listed on the net.
Blue is nice to use but the white stuff works just as well in the long run although a bit more cleanup is needed as well you will probably find the foam terrain comes out nicer if you give it a coat of cheap terri clothe and plaster and you can still put holes in it for trees. As well as the hardware stores check construction sites as they tend to throw out quite a bit.
Sorry I have to chime in. It’s nice living in NH. We have the stuff available year round! Most “big box” home supply warehouses can get you what you need.
Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, they all have it. Check their websites and find your local store, then call to verify that the store has it on stock.
It depends on where you live but I get mine from job sites, dumpsters and even from hyway ditches. I have picked up the equivalent of a couple dozen sheets of the stuff. When I need a lot, I look for building sites doing foundation work and ask the foreman for leftovers. After I tell him its for my trains and he tells me about his Lionel set, I usually gets some foam.
One more thing. If you are going to cover it with plaster cloth, the white bead stuff works, BUT if you are going to carve the rock formations in the foam and paint them as I do, the white does not work. The blue, the green, the pink and the yellow does. I just recently saw some violet colored stuff at Menards, but I have not tried that.
If you have not seen them, I have pics in my sig. Almost everything is stacked, carved and painted foam.
Thanks everyone – I found some foam at Lowe’s, but need to look at Home Depot also. Once I get the foam, how do I “carve” the scenery details on the foam? What kind of knife do I need, etc?
Thanks–“Railroad Rich”
Brent – thank you so much for the You Tube links – that is a great “how-to” series, and I see there are several more of them also (links are shown on the You Tube page you sent)) – that was EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for. Thanks again!!!
–Rich