I have seen a number of videos of YouTube, mainly US ones, that show the use of pink foam board, or XPS as I think it is known as a, for sub-base and for building up scenery etc.
Has anyone seen this for sale in high street hardware / DIY stores anywhere? It is sold online but then you pay a lot for postage which I would rather avoid.
I fear you may have to get it delivered. It is readily available in the UK for things like home insulation (particularly for underfloor heating) and also for modelling. Whether it is practical to collect is down to the luck of the draw as to whether there is an outlet of reasonable driving distance away. Variations on modelling suppliers in your area that it might be worth trying are wargaming shops, university and college art school shops and possibly asking if architectural modellers will sell you some. Also if there is a model aircraft shop that caters for modellers who how-wire cut their own wings they may stock it in big sheets.
If it is just for building up terrain and will be covered and it is the bulk that most important rather than the ability to take fine hot wire cutting or embossing then Kingspan and other brand polyurethane foams are available from DIY stores. The aluminium foil can (if tediously) be peeled off.
If it is thin building bases and such that is wanted then places like Hobbycraft sell (paper covered) foam board. I think they sell only 5 or 6 mm stuff (it can be laminated) though it is available in thicker sizes. As one use is for signs, print shops may stock it. The paper covering can (very tediously and for small areas) be rubbed off with a finger when the surface is soaked in water. It does take sanding nicely though and I've made shaped model aircraft control surfaces that way.
Quote from: GraemeD on December 27, 2022, 07:54
I fear you may have to get it delivered. It is readily available in the UK for things like home insulation (particularly for underfloor heating) and also for modelling. Whether it is practical to collect is down to the luck of the draw as to whether there is an outlet of reasonable driving distance away. Variations on modelling suppliers in your area that it might be worth trying are wargaming shops, university and college art school shops and possibly asking if architectural modellers will sell you some. Also if there is a model aircraft shop that caters for modellers who how-wire cut their own wings they may stock it in big sheets.
If it is just for building up terrain and will be covered and it is the bulk that most important rather than the ability to take fine hot wire cutting or embossing then Kingspan and other brand polyurethane foams are available from DIY stores. The aluminium foil can (if tediously) be peeled off.
If it is thin building bases and such that is wanted then places like Hobbycraft sell (paper covered) foam board. I think they sell only 5 or 6 mm stuff (it can be laminated) though it is available in thicker sizes. As one use is for signs, print shops may stock it. The paper covering can (very tediously and for small areas) be rubbed off with a finger when the surface is soaked in water. It does take sanding nicely though and I've made shaped model aircraft control surfaces that way.
Thanks. I did have a load of Kingspan offcuts laying around about a year ago from a DIY project but got rid of them, long before I knew I was getting back into the hobby. I am tempted to go with the idea of foil backed insulation, but as you say, peeling off the foil is a pain.
I bought a 1.2m x 450mm x 100mm thick block of Kingspan from Wickes in the end, which suits my small layout nicely.
Depending on how much you want, I can recommend 'skip diving', though remember to ask permission as removal of stuff from skips is technically theft with getting the okay from whoever is renting the skip first. I got a 'door-sized' piece backed with plywood from a neighbour's skip during renovations.
jch
Quote from: Justin Phillips on December 27, 2022, 09:56
Thanks. I did have a load of Kingspan offcuts laying around about a year ago from a DIY project but got rid of them,
Never throw anything away!!
David.