Feasibility?

Friends,
Thankyou for all the interest in my previous thread.I have used the search facility and found only 4 threads using the keyword "Kingspan", although none of them could answer the questions raised.I can understand using it for its relative cheapness, sound damping etc.  But does anyone have experience of using it to actually pin down track or fit under baseboard point motors (Considering that I am going to use 50 mm thick board)? Any thoughts would be appreciated, regards Peter.

Hi Peter.

I don't know if this will help at all, but I used 50mm Kingspan (might have been a different brand, but basically the same) on my Kilgerran layout. I stuck it onto a 6mm ply baseboard rather than use it alone.

I've got two points on the diorama, both with peco motors that I sunk into holes carved out of the Urethane. 12 months down the line, and everything still seems OK and working.

As for sound deadening, I haven't noticed much, but then I'm running old Triang 3mm loco's, which aren't noted for their quiet running…

Heres a pic of the layout/diorama prior to landscaping which shows the Kingspan in use.



Hope this helps.
Any further details can be found in the layout thread.

Best regards,
Shaun.

Shaun,Thankyou for your prompt reply.  I had studied your layout when it came up with the search and wondered if you had used hidden points motors.
Thanks again, regards Peter.

Friends,After considering the alternatives I am going to use 6 mm ply (To stop possible sagging of the Sundeala) topped with Sundeala board on my baseboard framework.I have ordered a pack of 6 precut sheets of Sundeala 4 feet x 2 feet wide and 6 mm ply to the same dimensions.
Therefore this thread is purely academical!
Regards Peter.

Academic or not Peter, Sundeala was an excellent solution in ther past but it's not without it's own problems.

I suspect your 6mm ply baseboard will solve some of them - principally as you said, the risk of sagging but I know Geoff R had problems with shrinkage where he used it.

A PM to him might avoid the same snags he hit (just in case he doesn't read this thread).

Those problems apart, it does offer some superb advantages over other sheet materials (at a price) …….:roll:

Looking forward to seeing how you progress.:cheers

Yes, I used Sundeala in the early stages of my layout some 7 years ago now, but was very dissappointed. I followed the manufacturers instructions to the letter, which involved soaking the boards and leaving them compressed flat in the railway room for several days to dry out.

I did not mount them onto ply like you are doing, but instead, following the instructions, fitted them directly onto 2 by 1 softwood frames. They stayed flat, but the dissappointment was that over time - several months - they gradually shrunk, leaving gaps between the boards which I have had to subsequently fill.

Most of my layout is now on 9mm ply covered with 3mm cork and then track underlay. However, two boards of Sundeala remain, and apart from the shrinkage have not had further problems.

[user=422]Geoff R[/user] wrote:

Yes, I used Sundeala in the early stages of my layout some 7 years ago now, but was very dissappointed. I followed the manufacturers instructions to the letter, which involved soaking the boards and leaving them compressed flat in the railway room for several days to dry out.

I did not mount them onto ply like you are doing, but instead, following the instructions, fitted them directly onto 2 by 1 softwood frames. They stayed flat, but the dissappointment was that over time - several months - they gradually shrunk, leaving gaps between the boards which I have had to subsequently fill.

Most of my layout is now on 9mm ply covered with 3mm cork and then track underlay. However, two boards of Sundeala remain, and apart from the shrinkage have not had further problems.

Geoff,
Thankyou for adding this information.
I must admit I was unaware that I had to soak the boards, we shall have to see how things work!
Regards Peter.

Hmmm, I don't like the sound of that soaking the boards malarkey! Surely that's encouraging expansion and shrinkage? You'd have to leave it to stabilise for weeks.
I'm not sure I'd have the patience.  In fact, I am sure!

Good luck with it Peter.