Foamcore as a riser component

[DairyStateDad]

For inclines and elevations, I will be using various thicknesses (2 inch, 1/2 inch, 1 inch) of pink or blue insulation foam board as risers and subroadbed, along with Woodland Scenics incline starters for the grades themselves.

I'm expecting there will be some places where I need a 1/4-inch increment in the riser system. (The only 1/4 insulation foam I can find is a fanfold that would be lots more material than I'd need.)

Would foamcore board work for that? Or is it likely to compress too much over time?

(I'm figuring if not foamcore, probably pieces of luan or masonite cut to the appropriate shape...)

 

[blvdbuzzard]

You can make a foam cutter out of a door bell transformer, dimmer switch, fishing leader, speaker wire, wood handle. Then you can cut any angle, shape, thickness you need.

Little more in depth

http://hotwirefoamcutterinfo.com/_DIYPSDesign.html

Thread on building a foam cutter.

Another easy way is to use an old train transformer. I use .015 steal leader for fishing. Cheap and easy.


Buzz.

 

[fcwilt]

I also made and used a hot wire cutter to cut my inclines. In addition I made a wooden jig that allowed me to set the angle of a pair of wooded "rails" that ran on each side of the piece of foam that was placed in the jig. Then I was able to just run the wire along the rails to get a very even and accurate cut.

 

[DairyStateDad]

Right, I do plan to cut risers as well from the insulation foam. I was just wondering about using foam core as an easy way to add a 1/4 inch (technically, 3/16 inch) increment of height if that was all that was needed. But probably makes sense to stick with just the insulation foam. Thx.

 

[blvdbuzzard]

I use the cheap $1.00 foam sheets for a lot of stuff. Soak the paper, let dry, peels right off. Cut, sand, shape, easy peasy. You can stack foam to get the right height you want or need.


Buzz.

 

[DairyStateDad]

Any particular reason for soaking off the paper?

 

[blvdbuzzard]

The paper is glued to each side. If you want a smooth surface, the paper would be good to paint. I remove the paper because I usually sand, bend, hot wire cut the stuff. You can order a box of it online and it ships free to the closet store. The box has a lot of foam in it.

I use 3M77 spray for most of the gluing. White glue, ploy, and most water based work well with it. There are a few contact cements that work very well. They become one piece and you can still use a hot wire to cut it.

http://www.dollartree.com/household...rds/500c565c567p16450/index.pro?method=search

If you want black, they have that too.

http://www.dollartree.com/household...0-/500c565c567p310686/index.pro?method=search


Buzz.