Homasote questions

Its needs to be placed on top of plywood or some type of rigid surface. Its flimsy on its own and will warp and break. I have only seen 4x8, but doesn't mean that bigger doesn't exist.

The Homasote web page list 4x10 as being available. And yes it has to be mounted to something

http://www.homasote.com/produc...40-Soundbarrier.aspx

I purchased homasote at my local home depot. My local lowes here in Staten Island, NY just started carrying it. Its well worth the money, however I think I am going to place some Foam boards ontop so I can work on scenery like streams and etc..

Are you going to place your track on top of the foam then?  If so skip the homosote.  I'm assuming you have plywood underneath.

I already had the homasote down from my old track plan.... So i figured i'd just leave it on there.

my layout uses 2 by 4 foot boxes made of 1 by 4s i put a brace in the middle.. screw the homasote to it with drywall screws and have had no issues whatsoever with sagging or warping . conrail john.....if your gonna waik on it put a half inch plywood under it!

I made my new layout from 1X3"s, in about 24" boxes,  on 2x2" legs about every 3ft on the edges with just 4x8 ft sheets of Homosote from Home Depot. No heavy plaster scenery and don't walk on it. No problems Has been up about 2 months now. It is about 12 ftx12ft with a 4x6 ft. opening in the middle. very satisfied with it. Store lots of heay Lionel PW engines and cars on it.

Homasote will eventually sag if there is not support underneath.  1/2" or 3/4" ply will work.  

Ed

I've used it on layouts in the past. Nice stuff but REALLY needs good support.....1/2 or 3/4 ply for sure. I can't buy it in my region.....special order only from one seller and he requires a BIG order. But remember the added height needed to run one track under another. Also that it absorbs moister pretty well.    

There are numerous threads on Homasote.  See the link below for my comments.  As long as you screw the edges and add supports in the open area you don't need plywood underneath.

 

Jan

 

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/strength-of-homasote?reply=34795416106086399#34795416106086399

I don't plan to snap it over my knee but, so far, it is doing quite nicely on my layout with the 1x3" lumber framework supporting it. If there is a sag I can put a piece of 1x3 underneath.  I have some Homosote in my basement in pretty good condition that is almost 30 years old. It was stored in my moist garage for many years.

Okay, see if this sounds reasonable: six 5' x 10' tables of 1" x 3" boards forming a box each with cross pieces every 2 1/" feet.  These will rest on 2" x 2" or 2" x 4" legs and be topped with 3/8" OSB base under 1/2" Homasote.  I'll screw or bolt the tables together where they butt together.

 

Thanks for all the input.  I appreciate everyone making all my mistakes in advance so I won't have to do it myself.

 

If I can get my camera and computer to kiss and make up I'll have pictures to post as I go along.

Just to add my 1x4s are actually called 1x3...oops !! same result...crj

 

Once nice thing about this thread, I found a wholesaler in my area that is carrying Homasote again. I did have to call a local lumber company to have them order it for me.

 

The stuff has been totally unavailable to 5 years in my area unless I wanted to buy an entire flat of it. I did use some sound board I got at Lowes in a couple places, but is is really loose and messy compared to the Homasote I had on the layout

Originally I too would go to a small lumber yard. When I did a search of Home Depot in my town they did not have it but they show other HD stores that do carry it. It was very helpful to find it close by.

Nobody told me that you have to put plywood under Homasote, so I built a layout in the 90s with Homasote attached directly to the frame of the bench.  Don't remember how thick it was, but probably 1/2.  Worked fine, never warped or gave any trouble.  It was set up for about ten years.  I always wonder why people bother with the plywood.

 

Bill