That is some really awesome stuff,,,,thanks for the great idea,,,will have to try that ,,,its looks better than plaster cloth or foam board stacked and cutting it,,thanks for sharing,,Ken
Thank you! I used to use plaster cloth, then switched to stacked foam board as well. Then I thought there has to be something better and started experimenting with this. Now I’m hooked! So much easier to add depth and make interesting terrain with.
Great tutorial. In 40 years of modeling, I've never seen anyone use that for train scenery. I suggest you place a strip of cardboard vertically along your track to act as a temporary wall to prevent the foam from reaching the track. Once dry, simply pull away the wall. That would save you hours of picking away the foam by hand.
Thank you Paul! I’ve been pulling up the track on my latest additions to the mountain. I’ll give your recommendation a shot as I’m building my next section. I had always used plaster cloth in the past then when I used the woodland scenics risers and foam road bed, I liked how smooth the track laid without dealing with plaster cloth so came up with trying this out after having used it to build Halloween and Christmas displays. Thanks again!
I’ve used this method to do all my mountains on my layout. As far as carving I do used a blade along with a wood spade bit in my cordless drill, which works very well.
The more I watch your videos, the more I learn and enjoy them. Looking at your layout, I love how you have different levels and as far as construction with the foam, I think that's a great idea! How did you come up with the idea for the actual construction of your table and do you have any plans that you used? I am looking at building a 9x11 table with multiple layers. I am hoping to do the same style of construction, with the 1x4s on the side, and the supports on the bottom with a base layer of foam. Did you have any tips or ideas for someone trying to build their first table from scratch? Thanks!
Hi, thank you, I’m happy you are enjoying the videos. I started with a Christmas layout in 2018, it was the first time I was going to build one from scratch in our front room as opposed to running on the floor around the Christmas tree. I wanted something light to move and easy to put up and take down. I build it using the coffee table in the room as a base for it then added legs for stability. I didn’t have a design on paper a just built is as I went, I’ve build several table projects over the years so already had basic design in mind. 9’ x 11’ will be great. I’ll make another video around table design. 2 1” think sheets is key for sure with well supported framing.
Hey Moto. I really enjoyed watching your video. I had heard of people using this stuff but never seen it done. You made it look easy. I really want to try this for my Christmas garden this year. I'm thinking of making a Mountain/tunnel. That layout your making looks awesome. I can't wait to see it when it is all done. I really want to turn my space in the basement into something more permanent. Don't think I can get it done for my Christmas garden. My Halloween garden is done now. Did you see my short on it? I'm putting the finishing touches on the full video this week so keep a look out. It's coming soon. Are you doing a Halloween layout this year?
Hi! Thanks! I’m happy you enjoyed it. I will have to check out your video. 👍 I haven’t started on my Halloween layout yet, I still had the one from last year up and took it down last weekend. I usually make mine in the garage so people can check it out while trick or treating, but was going to make it in the front room this year like I do my Christmas layout….then some neighbors walked by while I was taking down the one in the garage and they said they cannot wait to see this years, they look forward to it every year. Now, I’m not sure what I’m going to do! Lol
Can’t wait to see how it turns out. 👍 I was shaping it once the skin formed in some spots as well. I was using the plastic shims that they make that look like the wood shims to shape it because the foam doesn’t stick as easily to those.
Thanks Matt, it’s easier to control right side up. When I used the first couple cans right side up to test it on my first mountain build, I didn’t have any issues with the way it applied or dried so stuck with right side up since it was less awkward for me. I might waste a little of each can that way, but I like when the pressure really falls off in the end to fill in little gaps without a lot of material coming out. I appreciate the comment for sure.
I like the screen technique....very good info love the mountain layout
Thank you! 👍
I love how you did this! Very innovative
Thank you
I really like you hill concept using the foam. Fantastic idear. Looks realistic. Thanks for sharing that👍♐️
You’re welcome! Thank you
That is some really awesome stuff,,,,thanks for the great idea,,,will have to try that ,,,its looks better than plaster cloth or foam board stacked and cutting it,,thanks for sharing,,Ken
Thank you! I used to use plaster cloth, then switched to stacked foam board as well. Then I thought there has to be something better and started experimenting with this. Now I’m hooked! So much easier to add depth and make interesting terrain with.
I really enjoyed this instruction. You really mastered the process. Thanks for sharing g what you have learned. Awesome!!
Thank you, you’re welcome!
Very cool method. I’ve been thinking of using that stuff to fill spots and add to my foam sheet mountains. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! Thank you
Great tutorial. In 40 years of modeling, I've never seen anyone use that for train scenery. I suggest you place a strip of cardboard vertically along your track to act as a temporary wall to prevent the foam from reaching the track. Once dry, simply pull away the wall. That would save you hours of picking away the foam by hand.
Thank you Paul! I’ve been pulling up the track on my latest additions to the mountain. I’ll give your recommendation a shot as I’m building my next section. I had always used plaster cloth in the past then when I used the woodland scenics risers and foam road bed, I liked how smooth the track laid without dealing with plaster cloth so came up with trying this out after having used it to build Halloween and Christmas displays. Thanks again!
I’ve used this method to do all my mountains on my layout. As far as carving I do used a blade along with a wood spade bit in my cordless drill, which works very well.
Thank you! I’ll have to try the spade bit with a cordless drill and see how that works. 👍
The more I watch your videos, the more I learn and enjoy them. Looking at your layout, I love how you have different levels and as far as construction with the foam, I think that's a great idea! How did you come up with the idea for the actual construction of your table and do you have any plans that you used? I am looking at building a 9x11 table with multiple layers. I am hoping to do the same style of construction, with the 1x4s on the side, and the supports on the bottom with a base layer of foam. Did you have any tips or ideas for someone trying to build their first table from scratch?
Thanks!
Hi, thank you, I’m happy you are enjoying the videos. I started with a Christmas layout in 2018, it was the first time I was going to build one from scratch in our front room as opposed to running on the floor around the Christmas tree. I wanted something light to move and easy to put up and take down. I build it using the coffee table in the room as a base for it then added legs for stability. I didn’t have a design on paper a just built is as I went, I’ve build several table projects over the years so already had basic design in mind. 9’ x 11’ will be great. I’ll make another video around table design. 2 1” think sheets is key for sure with well supported framing.
Hey Moto. I really enjoyed watching your video. I had heard of people using this stuff but never seen it done. You made it look easy. I really want to try this for my Christmas garden this year. I'm thinking of making a Mountain/tunnel. That layout your making looks awesome. I can't wait to see it when it is all done. I really want to turn my space in the basement into something more permanent. Don't think I can get it done for my Christmas garden. My Halloween garden is done now. Did you see my short on it? I'm putting the finishing touches on the full video this week so keep a look out. It's coming soon. Are you doing a Halloween layout this year?
Hi! Thanks! I’m happy you enjoyed it. I will have to check out your video. 👍 I haven’t started on my Halloween layout yet, I still had the one from last year up and took it down last weekend. I usually make mine in the garage so people can check it out while trick or treating, but was going to make it in the front room this year like I do my Christmas layout….then some neighbors walked by while I was taking down the one in the garage and they said they cannot wait to see this years, they look forward to it every year. Now, I’m not sure what I’m going to do! Lol
[👍]
Thank you
I'm planning to use the foam on an upcoming build. Once the foam gets a dry skin, it can be shaped a bit with a simple tool.
Can’t wait to see how it turns out. 👍 I was shaping it once the skin formed in some spots as well. I was using the plastic shims that they make that look like the wood shims to shape it because the foam doesn’t stick as easily to those.
TURN THE CAN UPSIDE DOWN !!!!!!
It's in the directions. I use it s lot for work
Thanks Matt, it’s easier to control right side up. When I used the first couple cans right side up to test it on my first mountain build, I didn’t have any issues with the way it applied or dried so stuck with right side up since it was less awkward for me. I might waste a little of each can that way, but I like when the pressure really falls off in the end to fill in little gaps without a lot of material coming out. I appreciate the comment for sure.
Great technique Mike....looks easy. Is there an odor to deal with ?
Hi, thank you, no odor that I have noticed, it doesn’t really have a smell, even during application.
Big issues its like $20 -25 a can
I buy it at Lowe’s for around $4.00 or so per can.