Since you are all talking about the use of Homosote, may I inject a quick suggestion about the dust that is created when you cut the stuff. Carefully collect as much of the dust as you can, put it into an empty five gallon bucket, spray paint it with any earth color you wish, any natural light brown, green, flax color, whatever earth colors you want on your layout. Keep spraying until everything in the bucket is colored, then let it all dry, stirring occasionally to break up clumps. When it is dried you will have a wonderful source of ground cover in small to large lumps that convert into field bushes, high grass, almost anywhere you want ground cover. You can even spray twigs with spray glue, roll them into the material, and you have instant deciduous trees and bushes. It also last forever and never gets hard or flakey. Lee McCarty In a message dated 3/19/2012 11:45:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob Werre Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 9:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Re: Homosote Board David, I’ve got about 500’ of Homasote roadbed cut from 4x8 sheets on my layout. Depending on how much you need, I’d suggest cutting it into stra ight pieces and cutting slots for the radii(if you need a lot there is less waste). The spacing of the slots/kerfs is only important if you’re going to have sharp radii less than 32”. For most applications I’d recommend slotting the Homasote around every inch to inch & half. Yes! Do it outside and keep your house windows closed ( if you have a poopy neighbor, there isn’t reason to advise him of the impending poopyness). After you get the roadbed secured to the sub-roadbed it is EXTREMELY important to seal it! Homasote is very susceptible to moisture so even though I live in a very dry area (Denver), I’ve sealed mine with any cheap latex paint I could lay my hands on. Don’t worry about the bottom as the glue between the Homasote and the sub roadbed will seal it. I have had no problems with expansion/contraction or rail creep for over 20 years. As for covering up the curvature slots/kerfs, I use “SculptaMold” prior to sealing with paint. The stuff is powdered, almost a paper-Mache’ like stuff that mixes with water and is easy to sand once plopped onto the road bed. It can also smooth out any surprise dips in the roadbed. Homasote is great for roadbed: It’s quiet, holds spikes and is easy to work with, but the stuff will absorb moisture like a sponge unless it’s sealed. Good Luck! Lee Kleidon Track Tools LLc Westminster, CO
