Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your advice - much appreciated. I've decided to go with Sundeala in the end. I've nearly finished two frames that the sundeala will be laid on - and boy, I'd wish I'd done woodwork at school! The two frames 1200mm x 900mm that comprises of four sections for ease of working. I plan to build three or four boards so I can get a loop. When the Boss saw my joints she said it looked as if they were cut with a bread knife which was slightly hurtful as I had brought a new saw to do the job! Anyway at least I can say it's all my own work - who knows the Tate Modern might snap it up! Working like mad as I have been offered some secondhand locos and track that I am going to look at on Sunday and am desperate to set it up. Will start Layout thread when I do - Woo, woo. Tickets please!

:pedal

Great stuff Colin - glad to hear you've got some frames built.

From your comments about your woodwork, do I take it you've already got some in-built gradients ?  :roll::roll::hmm

Looking forward to seeing this layout develop and good luck with the "previously owned" locos and track. :cool wink

HI..

I would normal use 7mm ply topped 3x1 pine board but for my next layout I'm hoping to use Barry Normans 4mm ply system, this should give a very strong and light weight layout as I hope to show the layout one day.

Stuart in OZ

[user=0]colin[/user] wrote:

Hi All,

Some advice please. I will start building my baseboards soon and am undecided whether to use Sundeala or MDF. Reading various articles on the site sundeala is lighter and can be easily pinned into but if you are landscaping, and possibly using various heights, on most of the layout, is it a waste of money as sundeala is three time more cost that MDF. My initial thoughts was to use MDF for the base and sundeala should I build height (like Jeff has used in his brewery layout). If I do that the the track will run on MDF and sundeala. Is that a real problem?

Secondly whichever I use, would I need to seal either board before starting landscaping and laying track? and if so what would you recommend?

Thanks

Colin

 

Hi Colin

Honestly?  Both are awful.  There is NO substitute for high quality Scandinavian ply.   I use 9mm for tops and 6mm (sandwiched with 2x1) for the sides.  This is then treated with Silkens Yacht varnish.  All in a 3ft by 5ft baseboard comes in at about £50 - £60 but if there is ever 1 thing you can't cut corners or costs on in Model railways its your woodwork.  You will pay for it time and time again in other area's if you do.

Always buy your ply from a good timber merchant.  DONT ever by ply from B&Q or places like that as you are effectively byuing layers of sawdust.

HTH

Jim