Building With WS Foam Risers

[ginzokid]

As I mentioned in the other group, I am going to build my new layout with Woodland Scenic foam risers. You can see in the pictures that I have posted that the open grid bench work, which you can't see, is covered with acoustic ceiling tiles. This gives me the flat surface I need without having to cut a lot of plywood sub-roadbed and risers. Not much fun as you probably already know, especially on the curved pieces. And all those risers to cut and the splices to make. The WS system has to be simpler. Now comes the fun. Figuring out how much and of what pieces I needed. Well, I have a lot of foam coming. The real fun was figuring out the inclined risers needed to allow the proper clearance at the overpasses. I am using two different slopes, the 2% and the 3%, to get up to the clearance I need. What I also had to do was combine several different thicknesses of riser plus incline to get to the proper height. As soon as I get started and take some pictures, I'll post my progress. Meanwhile, if anyone has questions about the WS foam system, ask away. I think I have a good handle on it. Pete

[ginzokid]

The only good hockey movie ever made. You are talking the original with Paul Newman of course. I think I have worn out my tape. Fearless Leader

[untabubba]

FL, There are too many scenes to start "relating". How about the scene where the Hanson brothers are "beating up" the soda machine?!? "Gawd damn machine took my quarter! and NO stinkin' rut-beer!!" Or when Paul Newman walks in to the locker room and catches them "putting on the foil coach!" Mr. Breeze

[g-pa1]

Quite a bit of Slap shot was shot here at the Syracuse War Memorial! Gene

[ginzokid]

Returning once again to the thread, see Marc's photos for a step by step clinic on WS foam installation. Looking pretty good for a rookie! Pete

[untabubba]

Thanks Pete. That means a lot....because I NOW have to do the OTHER incline on the other side of the mountain. It's actually quite fun. I was uptight at first, worrying about whether or not the hills would look good. It turns out that the plaster cloth "drapes" very nicely over the crumbled paper and looks JUST LIKE a natural hillside! Very gratifying and kind of amazing, for a newbie! Marc 🙂

[ginzokid]

I just thought I would comment on a little problem I have been having with the WS foam system. It seems that when I put the plaster cloth over the foam risers and inclines that a slight bump occurs where the cloth overlaps and becomes two layers thick instead of one. Now this doesn't seem like much, but I have noticed that when I glue down the cork roadbed, it has a more pronounced bump over these joints. If you remember the problem I had with the 1/4" gap under the rails in one portion of the layout, a similar thing happens here. It seems that the rails rest on top of the humps and are suspended in air between. That is OK as I can just use deeper ballast to keep the track level. I tried to lay the plaster cloth exactly adjacent to the former piece, but that either leaves a small gap or a small overlap. I'm not perfect. I tried sanding the joint but only succeeded in removing most of the material exposing the foam again. I also tried a skim coat of drywall mud and sanded that smooth. This was much better. Frankly, if I ever do another layout I'll go back to plywood sub-roadbed and wood risers. It is much smoother and stronger. Heavier yes, but I'm not transporting this layout anywhere. Anyone else have these problems with the foam? CodFadda

[trmwf]

Pete, Can I ask what would it hurt if you sanded the bumps smooth exposing the foam? Wouldn't it end up being covered again by the cork roadbed? I always lay the cork roadbed and usually the track before doing the plaster cloth then I just butt the plaster cloth up against the cork roadbed material. prof

[janesew]

Pete, I glued the cork roadbed onto the foam risers BEFORE I laid down any plastercloth. That way you are assured a smooth roadbed. Also it lets you form a small "drainage ditch to each side of the roadbed if you so desire. I only used foam risers on a couple of spots on the layout. It's the same with the plywood (or homosote etc), I glued the cork straight to the ply before adding any plaster. F

[ginzokid]

That's what I get for following the WS directions. When I sanded, the holes created let the ballast fall through. This created extra work which I am not happy about. It's fixable with more cloth to the side or mud, but just a pain. In the past I have always butted the plaster cloth to the side of the cork, but that was on plywood. What I did find though, is that the medical plaster cast material is much thinner and I do not get the bumps with it. So, some of the foam is bumpy and some is smooth. Have you ever tried to feed 20 gage feeder wires up through 8" of foam? I have a neat trick you might like. I first use an ordinary ice pick with a wooden handle to drive right down through the cork, foam and ceiling tile base. This makes a nice 1/8" round hole. Next I take an 18" piece of 1/8" brass tubing and shove it down the same hole. Take the feeder wire and stuff it into the tubing, a close tight fit actually, and gently pull the brass tube up through the hole. The wire comes up with it and there you are ready to do the soldering bit. I also have an 18" long 1/8" drill bit if the ice pick will not reach. I just put it in a hand drill. CodFadda

[trmwf]

Pete, The brass tube ( or a plastic tube would work also I guess ) is a great idea. I always had trouble getting my wire through the 2" foam and cussed at every attempt. Was so busy cussing never stopped to think of how to fix the issue. Thanks!!! prof

[beastranger]

I do basicaly the same thing with a long drill bit, but just tape the wire end to a piece of piano wire then push it through. The tube sounds easier though. Punk

[70novahound]

A Sicilian with an ice pick, scares the living daylights out of me!:O CJ

[untabubba]

Just keep kissing the ring CJ....kiss the ring.......... Be my friend.....Godfaddah? Mr. B

[ginzokid]

I have some 2" and 4" WS risers that are extra to what I need. Anybody building with this suff? Anybody interested in some....cheap? B-)

[flaretired]

Does the WS incline foam set only come in one size width? 2 1/2 inches wide is to wide for what I need it for. Will I have to cut it? If so with what kind of knife? Also does anybody no what the incline is for the Atlas incline set? I'm guessing 3% since it takes 6' to raise to 2". Is it necessary to get the starter set and why? Chuck