[Gareth]

Hi All,

I'm beginning the planning of my next home track and I'm planning on going routed which for HO is going to be a bit of a pig!

I've been doing lots of reading up on track materials and I'd really like to go with what the US guys call Sintra and which seems to be Foamex or Plastikard here in the UK. The reasons for doing so over MDF are:

1. It is very light and easily manipulated for cambered corners, bridges and elevation changes
2. It comes in lots of colours but most importantly it comes in black or gray which will save having to paint the track
3. It is good for all types of tyres: silicone, urethane, rubber and sponge will all handle well on the track

So that's the good news. I've seen plenty of videos and photo guides on working with the stuff and routing in general so that (hopefully) will be ok too. Once I've practised a few times.

The bad news is the cost.

The US guys have been quoting prices of around $70 for an 8' x 4' sheet which is pricey but would be acceptable as the track will only need two or two and a half and it would be an investment. But to get a sheet that size in the UK costs something like £170 a sheet! Which is just ludicrous.

So, the point of the thread is to ask if anyone has found a UK based source for sintra/foamex/plastikard which isn't wallet breakingly expensive and can supply the necessary large sheets?

I should add that as the slot in an HO track is around 5mm deep, the foamex needs to be 6mm deep at least but I would prefer 10mm to be on the safe side.

Cheers

Gareth

 

[Gareth]

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses so far. If I can get away with 6mm Sintra I will definitely go for it although I have still the problem of obtaining sufficiently large sheets at a decent price.

I would prefer not to go the MDF and Sintra combined route as I was hoping to do the track out of just the one material. I will keep looking.

Cheers

Gareth

 

[Gareth]

QUOTE (snurfen @ 4 Jul 2012, 14:32) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>We use tons of the stuff in work for soft partitions in the clean room environment (we make silicon chips, it's cleaner than your Gran's Parlour in this place).

I'll find out from the site services lads what the trade name is and see the cost. I've got loads of off cuts at home, your welcome to pop up and collect some if you want. Not sure of the thickness, but it's around 6 or 7mm as I use it for track border on my scaley sport.

I may actually be visiting the Reigate office the week after next, could even drop a few pieces off if you want.
That would be amazing thank you! I actually work in Redhill which is linked to Reigate physically although a Reigate person would boff me on the nose for saying they're from Redhill!

Drop me a PM and we can arrange a meet up.

 

[Gareth]

QUOTE (montoya1 @ 4 Jul 2012, 15:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>It is the rail situation that makes it very, very hard to do the HO thing well.
Just because it is hard, doesn't mean I should follow the one word which I'm pretty sure is don't.

To me it is a challenge. I've built a permanent track out of plastic track and while that is all well and good, I want to go to the next level which is routed. I'm not going to rush it and it will be a long and probably frustrating process but the end result should be something I am proud of.

Besides there are enough threads from the States side guys where a large number of home made routed HO tracks have been built.

In fact I am more than a little surprised that you advise against attempting it when normally you are so positive about all things HO.

 

[Gareth]

I do understand it is going to be a bit of a nightmare but I do intend to practise a lot before I even attempt to do the circuit proper. And that's the reason I'm trying to get the material at the best possible price.

I'll be doing a crazy amount of searching when I start looking at the power rails as well.

I do appreciate your concern and worries mate, I really do. I see this one as a long term project. It is going to take me a ruddy age to get it completed and running but I think the (hoped for!) end result makes that worth it. And I'm sure I will end up asking you advise or physical help at some point! I know I'll asking Andy as he is local!!

And the great thing is that I'll still have the plastic sectional track set up next to the build so I can still practise, race and tune cars while I go.

Routing the track as Julian has done in the 1/32nd style is something that appeals as well. Definitely as a routing practise track.

 

[Gareth]

Yes I am tempted by Brad's book. Maybe Woodcote will come in on it with me!

I do like the idea of getting Brad or one of the other two guys in the States to do me a turnkey track but it is a lot of money up front to do so. And there would be less of a challenge/project/achievement if I went down that route.