The College Kid Layout Building Saga - End?
- Thread starter catnippertom
- Start date
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Before I forget, the roll of cork you have, roll it out, place it upside down so the curl is towards the flat surface and leave it a day or two if you can, it will go pretty much flat under it's own weight.
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Smudge617
Well-Known Member
They are quite unwieldy unless you've a big flat space to work in.Hmm, they are bigger than what I imagined then ...
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Smudge617
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure what type of poster board your using, but if it's the lightweight honeycomb interior type, nails wont hold the track. But there is a solution to that too if that's the case.
Before I forget, the roll of cork you have, roll it out, place it upside down so the curl is towards the flat surface and leave it a day or two if you can, it will go pretty much flat under it's own weight.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Well here is a grass mat update. I really couldn't get any of the air out and it seemed like the mat wasn't lining up with the boards at all. I got to a point where I could not for the life of me get the mat and the boards to work so I decided to cut the mat up and lay it out in sections. I laid one 5" x 5" section out, glued it down, and, let it dry overnight with a weight on it. I woke up and it looked pretty bad. It had tons of bubbling and even with the weight and clamps it had shifted on the board so I decided to rip it up. I tried to use a hair dryer to heat up the glue but I couldn't quite make that happen so I had to rip it up and cut it into the top layer of the poster board. As detailed above, I opened up a square section of the board and am currently gluing some printer paper in its place to make it look a little better. Hopefully, this shouldn't be too obvious in the future. Now I am going to work on the cork roadbed and try to think of some ideas for the grass. I have a few brewing. As much as I want to use the grass mat, I think I have to scrap the idea and move on. It just doesn't seem to work for me. Sorry, Smudge617. I could maybe use it later down the line but who knows.
Well here is a grass mat update. I really couldn't get any of the air out and it seemed like the mat wasn't lining up with the boards at all. I got to a point where I could not for the life of me get the mat and the boards to work so I decided to cut the mat up and lay it out in sections. I laid one 5" x 5" section out, glued it down, and, let it dry overnight with a weight on it. I woke up and it looked pretty bad. It had tons of bubbling and even with the weight and clamps it had shifted on the board so I decided to rip it up. I tried to use a hair dryer to heat up the glue but I couldn't quite make that happen so I had to rip it up and cut it into the top layer of the poster board. As detailed above, I opened up a square section of the board and am currently gluing some printer paper in its place to make it look a little better. Hopefully, this shouldn't be too obvious in the future. Now I am going to work on the cork roadbed and try to think of some ideas for the grass. I have a few brewing. As much as I want to use the grass mat, I think I have to scrap the idea and move on. It just doesn't seem to work for me. Sorry, Smudge617. I could maybe use it later down the line but who knows.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
I am using foam board so the interior of the board is pretty solid. And the track is mainly going to be attached to the cork roadbed rather than the board itself. The roadbed is going to be glued down to the board for an even sturdier connection.
wombat457
I'm the one
Don't throw it out, the grass mat - as you said, it might come in handy later on for something. This hobby is a learning curve for us all. What works for one person, may not work for another as you have discovered.
As for adhering the cork and track I would suggest using Elmers White All Purpose Glue for gluing down your Cork and Track. Does a good job but easy to remove the track etc if you ever need to.
Remember, perseverance pays off
As for adhering the cork and track I would suggest using Elmers White All Purpose Glue for gluing down your Cork and Track. Does a good job but easy to remove the track etc if you ever need to.
Remember, perseverance pays off
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Fair enough, keep it though, might come in handy later.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
I am going to keep the grass mat just to see what I can use it for later. Should come in handy at some point.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Been working a little bit today since the grass mat issues. I have all of my roadbed cut out so time to begin laying it out on the boards.
Been working a little bit today since the grass mat issues. I have all of my roadbed cut out so time to begin laying it out on the boards.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Laying out the roadbed now. Slowly but surely getting there. Some things aren't quite lining up as well as I would like them to but hey I am going to keep at it. Working into the wee hours of the night.
Laying out the roadbed now. Slowly but surely getting there. Some things aren't quite lining up as well as I would like them to but hey I am going to keep at it. Working into the wee hours of the night.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
not a ton going on here. Track laying and roadbed laying has been proven to be quite difficult. My Daylight had some issues on the first track-laying attempt so I have been at this for a while. Lots of time consuming work.
not a ton going on here. Track laying and roadbed laying has been proven to be quite difficult. My Daylight had some issues on the first track-laying attempt so I have been at this for a while. Lots of time consuming work.
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Don't worry, we've all been there, keep going, I assure you that it becomes easier as you get more comfortable with practice. You've done well, keep it up
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catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Here is the current update as of this morning. I have almost all of the roadbed down. I have all of the roadbed down on the board with the turnout. I realized after posting last night I didn't mention that I had to go out and buy some small 1.5" track since once I laid out the track and roadbed there was a bit of a gap. The way I laid the track and the roadbed must have made it shift where there was a significant gap between track and board. I also had to check the track with my Daylight and I had to loosen up some turns to allow it to run better. 18" is really the minimum radius for that loco. That was a huge setback since the turnout was cut how I laid it and changing that made it a bit different so I had to cut more cork out to supplement that. I am happy I was able to snag those short straights because it saved my butt from having to start over on the roadbed laying. it might make some issues down the line but so far when I checked with the Daylight, no issues so fingers crossed. I think I might need to strengthen the boards a bit since they like to warp a little bit but that's the fun of not working with wood. I am going to continue to learn more and work more. I wanted to get all of the roadbed laid by last night but I guess I am going to be a day late on this.
Also, if anyone has any ideas on storing this I would love to hear them. I think I am going to have to stack the baseboards and keep them under my bed when it is not out since that is the only space I have for them. I am thinking maybe incorporating some elements that are really sturdy like a building or a mountain that might hold up one baseboard on top of another but that is only my preliminary thoughts.
Here is the current update as of this morning. I have almost all of the roadbed down. I have all of the roadbed down on the board with the turnout. I realized after posting last night I didn't mention that I had to go out and buy some small 1.5" track since once I laid out the track and roadbed there was a bit of a gap. The way I laid the track and the roadbed must have made it shift where there was a significant gap between track and board. I also had to check the track with my Daylight and I had to loosen up some turns to allow it to run better. 18" is really the minimum radius for that loco. That was a huge setback since the turnout was cut how I laid it and changing that made it a bit different so I had to cut more cork out to supplement that. I am happy I was able to snag those short straights because it saved my butt from having to start over on the roadbed laying. it might make some issues down the line but so far when I checked with the Daylight, no issues so fingers crossed. I think I might need to strengthen the boards a bit since they like to warp a little bit but that's the fun of not working with wood. I am going to continue to learn more and work more. I wanted to get all of the roadbed laid by last night but I guess I am going to be a day late on this.
Also, if anyone has any ideas on storing this I would love to hear them. I think I am going to have to stack the baseboards and keep them under my bed when it is not out since that is the only space I have for them. I am thinking maybe incorporating some elements that are really sturdy like a building or a mountain that might hold up one baseboard on top of another but that is only my preliminary thoughts.
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Slowly but surely. Once again had trouble with the distances of the roadbed that I first laid but I continue to work with those mistakes. As seen here, some of my corners were a bit too tight and I had to add some extra cork to make the roadbed correct(good thing I kept it). Also seen here is the turnout now cut to specification. I took out the additional cork I had added to it when I needed to change up the radius of the spur. The layout has also been cleaned up a little bit. I am waiting on the cork to dry then I will come in and cut off the excess cork from the turns. Hopefully, soon I can start on painting the roadbed. And yes I did say painting. Since this layout is going to move a bit and be stacked I don't want the ballast falling off everywhere and making a mess every time I move it. Yes, I know that if I glue it down well enough it shouldn't move but I just know ballast is going to go everywhere no matter what. Back to work!
Slowly but surely. Once again had trouble with the distances of the roadbed that I first laid but I continue to work with those mistakes. As seen here, some of my corners were a bit too tight and I had to add some extra cork to make the roadbed correct(good thing I kept it). Also seen here is the turnout now cut to specification. I took out the additional cork I had added to it when I needed to change up the radius of the spur. The layout has also been cleaned up a little bit. I am waiting on the cork to dry then I will come in and cut off the excess cork from the turns. Hopefully, soon I can start on painting the roadbed. And yes I did say painting. Since this layout is going to move a bit and be stacked I don't want the ballast falling off everywhere and making a mess every time I move it. Yes, I know that if I glue it down well enough it shouldn't move but I just know ballast is going to go everywhere no matter what. Back to work!
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Alright here is the update for the moment. All of the cork roadbed is laid and all of the excess is trimmed and patched. From this view, the poster board is unscathed but up close it is a bit more noticeable. Over time I see it as not being a huge deal. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction now. On to paint!
Alright here is the update for the moment. All of the cork roadbed is laid and all of the excess is trimmed and patched. From this view, the poster board is unscathed but up close it is a bit more noticeable. Over time I see it as not being a huge deal. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction now. On to paint!
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
Currently still in the process of painting. This is the first 3 coats. They still need many more coats for me to be happy. I am not really in love with how it is looking so far but I am committed to making this work. My brushes are also picking up a bit of cork so that kinda blows. I was hoping some of the paint would cover the cracks between the sections of cork but it has just made them stand out even more. I am also not really sure what I should do about the sides of the cork but I think I am going to paint them and hope to cover any mistakes I make during the scenic process. For now I have to be done but more work coming tomorrow.
Currently still in the process of painting. This is the first 3 coats. They still need many more coats for me to be happy. I am not really in love with how it is looking so far but I am committed to making this work. My brushes are also picking up a bit of cork so that kinda blows. I was hoping some of the paint would cover the cracks between the sections of cork but it has just made them stand out even more. I am also not really sure what I should do about the sides of the cork but I think I am going to paint them and hope to cover any mistakes I make during the scenic process. For now I have to be done but more work coming tomorrow.
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Coming along quite nicely
logandsawman
Northern Pacific history enthusiast
Not realizing you were going to paint things, I would suggest a spray can of auto primer. I would suggest the brownish color, it would also make a good base if you are putting any scenery in there. They probably cost about $6-8 at this point but could also be used around the house and down the road as you are working on stuff.
Another source for raw materials is around dumpsters and sometimes where they are building homes. Scraps of plywood are usually laying around also other scraps. Be aware of your surroundings if you are scrounging, usually best done near home where you know what is going on and maybe know some of the people. If you are feeling brave ask a worker if one is present, best doing that at the end of the workday when they are cleaning up.
Dave LASM
Another source for raw materials is around dumpsters and sometimes where they are building homes. Scraps of plywood are usually laying around also other scraps. Be aware of your surroundings if you are scrounging, usually best done near home where you know what is going on and maybe know some of the people. If you are feeling brave ask a worker if one is present, best doing that at the end of the workday when they are cleaning up.
Dave LASM
catnippertom
That Oregon Guy
Update:
I have put another few coats of paint on this board and also have been painting the side of the roadbed. I probably should've sanded the edges down to make a more beveled roadbed but I digress. Painting the side of the roadbed has been quite difficult. I made so many mistakes on the sides I decided to paint excess and try to make it more natural looking. I don't know if the effect really works but at least I can cover it up later if I end up not liking it. I am going to sprinkle some blacks and browns in it too just to get some color variation going. Thoughts on how it looks so far?
I have put another few coats of paint on this board and also have been painting the side of the roadbed. I probably should've sanded the edges down to make a more beveled roadbed but I digress. Painting the side of the roadbed has been quite difficult. I made so many mistakes on the sides I decided to paint excess and try to make it more natural looking. I don't know if the effect really works but at least I can cover it up later if I end up not liking it. I am going to sprinkle some blacks and browns in it too just to get some color variation going. Thoughts on how it looks so far?
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