I am getting ready to start building the framework for my layout and am considering using pink or blue foam instead of plywood etc. I would like to talk with anyone who has used this system. Looking for the hows, pros and cons.
Thank you for responding
Jon Whan
Jon ,[#welcome] to the forum, good to have you ‘on-board’
This is a widely and regularly discussed topic, take a look at the search option at the top of your screen, go to the advanced seach and enter “using foam” then change the dates to search over the last 6 months. This should give you LOTS of reading material on using foam. You can never read/learn too much in this hobby.
I hope this helps you out innitially and gets you started, once again welcome to the forum.
Have fun & be safe,
Karl.
It seems like we all are starting to use it. I try to pick mine up for free at construction sites. I am also trying to learn to carve my scenery right in the foam without plaster covering. I think the uses are unending. Keep us posted with what you disciover. If there are any cons, I haven’t discovered them.
I made my open grid benchwork out of 1x4s with foam. With just a 1x4 frame, it’s fairly light. In the openings, I used white beadboard in areas where I will not be carving any scenery. I used layers of foamboard for the areas I will carve scenery. In either case, I would still make the framework out of something stronger than just foam, if nothing more than a frame to support it.
I’m just getting started with the foam and I was able to pick up 2 by 8 foot sheets of the pink foam for my 4 by 8 plywood tables. The tables are easy to make, you just need to frame out the plywood and make some legs.
I use the foam, and have had great results so far. I have an 8x12 section done, with more to come. Not a shred of plywood in sight. I make a simple box frame out of 1x4 lumber, and use yellow carpenter’s glue to glue the foam sheets on top. Four sections each 2x8, I have bolted together to make an overall 8x12. See my web site for some pictures. All the benchwork went together in a weekend, and I didn’t even use a power saw. Now that I have one, it would go even faster. The following weekend, the glue was dry, and the legs got painted with some leftover black paint we had from the previous owners.
–Randy
One big advantage is the weight of the product. You can build a "scene " on a work bench, table etc. then pick it up and place it into its position on the layout. If it needs further work the project can be lifted back to a more convenient location to work on up close and at a better work height. Once complete the module can be glued or screw in place permanently. There are pictures in one of the threads here of just this type of construction and re working a portion of the road bed/hillside that would have been in an unreachable corner of the lay out. The flip side is discussed in a current thread about plaster on plywood in this forum or the “General Discussion” area. Cost seems to be the biggest draw back in using foam.
Will
When I made my benchwork, and I’m completely new to all this, I did a bit of overkill. I made the framework for the benchtops with 1x4, then used plywood for the tops. At the time, the reason was for sturdiness. If I had it to do again I wouldn’t use the plywood at all. I’d just be sure everything was square and I’d use a combination of Elmers wood glue AND screws. How simple it would then be to punch a little hole down through the foam for your feeder wires, switch throws etc. Watch for variations in the thickness of the foam, even if it is all labeled the same thickness. I’ve found a 1/8th to a 1/4 inch difference ‘especially at the edges’ so you’ll want to make allowances for that when you glue it down.
Jarrell
I did the same thing as jacon12. I built 2’ X4’ sections using 1x4 and 1/2 inch plywood, screwed them together and then bolted the sections together and then 2 inch pink foam glued on of course. It is very sturdy but heavier then I planned.
I am building an around the walls layout. Am currently up to 2x16 feet of open grid benchwork built all of 1x4 white pine. Once the basic bench work is built and up on legs if it is an all flat area of the layout it will be covered by 1 1/2 inch foam. The only thing I recomend so far is that you should probably keep your spacing of your cross members to no more than twelve inches apart. If you want to go to two inch thick foam you could probably get away with spacing up to sixteen inches on center. If you want more advice as my construction moves along or would like to see some photos let me know.
[2c] I tried using 2" white foam (that pink and blue stuff is very spendy). I personally did not care for the amplified sounds ( The engine noises that I do not want to hear, electric motor sounds), I don’t know if the pink and blue stuff does the same thing.
I am still in the track laying stage. I have done just like many of the other guys, mainly 1x4 constuction 16" on center ( I used 2x4 for the outside edges). I have put 3/16’s plywood on the top. I have to wait and see about the sound problems until I get enough track layed down.
I just want to put in my two cents worth. [2c]
The white stuff (Bead Board) is completely different. I have not found a use for it yet. The blue and pink stuff is the same but it comes in different grades. I find the cheapest works the best for scenery. I just picked up about 5 sheets of 2" from the side of the freeway that had blown off a truck. Its everywhere for free if you keep your eyes open.
White Foam(Bead Board) is a complete mess. For my previous layout, I used plywood, with 1" foam on top. A combination of wood glue, and screws connected it very well, but it was very heavy. I am starting to build an around-the-wall layout using the same system, but I think now I might just use foam by its self.