I wonder what sort of board you use to mount a tortoise in foam from the top? Can I use plywood for example and how thick should it be?
Which screw is suitable for mounting the tortoise to the board?
What do you use?
Some thin model plywood would work fine. Harder to cut up into little squares unless you have a small saw to work with. I use perforated boards from Radio Shack, 276-1396, the 6"x8" size yields me 6 squares for Tortoises plus a few scrapws I use for wire terminals and stuff. You jus have to give it a little nick with a wire cutter and then it snaps off cleanly along the line of holes. I line up the 4 best holes witht he back side of the Tortoise (the side away from the moving arm) about 1 row of holes in off the edge. I have some short 2-56 screws that I use for mounting. A hole is drilled to clear the actuator wire. It’s easier to get the 2-56 screws started if you drill those holes out to the proper drill size, or else I have a 2-56 wood screw I drive in each hole and back out, to get some threads cut. It sounds more complicated than it actually is.
–Randy
I’m thinking of using plywood instead, 1/4 inch thick. Is it safe to use ballast with lots of water/glue on the plywood? Or will the plywood look like a propeller when done? [:D]
I used some 1/8 plywood used for subfloors and 1" drywall screws. The screws pushed right into the foam for temporary attachment while aligning the spring wire. Then I used a little silicone on the board and around the screws for permanent attachment.
Tom
oops, edit - 1/8" verses 1/4". 1/4" is too thick (IMHO).
SHould be fine, if a little thick. See the other thread about using Tortoises on top of the foam, those are exactly the boards I use. In fact I got the idea from the same place, I think it’s the Nor-Cal FREEMO group or something.
–Randy