Masonite is even heavier than Homasote. A few years ago I suggested using Gatorboard instead of Masonite for backdrops on another Yahoo group. I was roundly rebuked as a heretic. I'm glad to see this group is more enlightened. -Wes
________________________________ From: Christopher Borgmeyer <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 7:49 AM Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Gator Foam Articles The 2'x6' recently built NOSS modules used 3/8" poplar for sides, 5/4 poplar for ends, 1/4" luan ply dadoed into the sides and ends for subroadbed and a couple of poplar 1x2's for stiffeners glued to the underside of the ply. If my memory is correct they came in at 10 or 11 lbs before we added the 1/2 Homasote roadbed which essentially doubled the weight. All wood and 10lbs at 2x6 feet seemed pretty reasonable to me. The lesson learned involved the Homasote. That stuff is really heavy. We just glued a 2x6 foot sheet on top. If i was going to save weight I would cookie cutter the plywood and Homasote or use another lighter roadbed product to begin with. I would look to Gator Foam or Polyiso insulation board for ultra light modules (say 5lbs at 2'x6'.) The stuff is structurally stiff enough you could use it to build up your entire module. I would skip any wood product altogether and clad the outside faces of the module with something like paper chipboard or mat board. It's lighter then any wood product and would reasonably resist bumps and dents. Chris Borgmeyer
