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As a newbie of sorts, I am planning my first HO layout. I have pretty much decided on going DCC with Atlas flex track on Woodland Scenic trackbed. For doing ballast have not decided on mfg. yet. Some ballast are real stone while some are other materials. Would like opinions on which one preferred by you more experienced railroaders out there. But my main question is about ballast adhesive. From this forum, the books I've read so far, and searching the net,
most common seems to be the diluted white glue. I read on one page where a common craft product called Mod Podge and even Matte Medium were suggested. Would I be best served using the White Glue or would any of you fellows recommend either of the other two. Many thanks.
Nuttman, IMHO I've always used Woodland Scenes ballast with great results. There is all different colors and textures available. As for glue, Elmer's white glue, mixed with water and a few drops of dish soap has always been the easiest and cheapest route.
http://modelrailroadtips.com/index.php?op=Articles;article=32
I use
Woodland Scenics' Scenic Cement, its pre-thinned. I first wet the ballast with
70% Isopropyl alcohol (the article says water + soap works, and it does, but the 7-% works faster) so that the glue can run down easier, and not "float" the ballast.
Elmer's Glue All would be the best choice, in my mind, for self diluting the glue, as its much better when dry then normal white glue.
Oh, for ballast, I prefer real rock then the nut shells of WS. The real rock always looked better to me. AZ Rock & Mineral makes some of the best.
I used wooodland scenics ballast but used the water/isopropyl alcohol and diluted elmer's white glue. In fact, you can dilute the white glue with iso to speed the drying process.
If you use iso there is no need to add soap. The iso serves as the wetting agent.
and the more iso and less water, the faster it dries. unfortuantely, it also becomes more flammable. and the fumes can get a bit intense....far out.....
to wet the area, i spray the water/iso (no glue) gently using an old pump spray bottle. then drops of diluted white glue are placed, the existing water/iso makes it wick completely and avoids any clumping or puddling.
For HO, I prefer the N scale WS ballast.
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