Looking for a commonly found flat steel to put under track

[Chris333]

OK I have another question. What could I use to glue the metal strips down to either foam or Masonite? It would have to be weighted while the glue dries to keep it nice and flat.

[peteski]

OK I have another question. What could I use to glue the metal strips down to either foam or Masonite? It would have to be weighted while the glue dries to keep it nice and flat.

I think contact cement would work (the water-based one for styrofoam).  Caulk might also do the trick (but not sure if it will dry properly under the metal).  Epoxy might also work but it might crack under longer pieces (due to contraction/expansion of the metal or the base).

[cgw]

double stick tape will work extremely well.   3M or Nitto will be more than strong enough to hold the pieces.  just wipe down the surface with a tack rag to remove any lose dust.  The metal surfaces  just wipe it with some alcohol to remove the cutting oils die lub that could be on the part.     The really good stuff can be picked up at most bump shop suppliers.   It is used to attach a lot of the trim on auto bodies.   

[Lemosteam]

@Chris333 Gorilla Polyurethane glue, weighted until dry.  Use same to mount the track to the metal.

[up1950s]

I would add gaps every foot , for fabrication , shrinkage , expansion , vertical curves , modification , and removal .

[DKS]

double stick tape will work extremely well.   3M or Nitto will be more than strong enough to hold the pieces.  just wipe down the surface with a tack rag to remove any lose dust.  The metal surfaces  just wipe it with some alcohol to remove the cutting oils die lub that could be on the part.     The really good stuff can be picked up at most bump shop suppliers.   It is used to attach a lot of the trim on auto bodies.

FWIW, this would be my pick.

[MK]

FoamTac.  We use the stuff for foam pieces on our R/C airplanes.  Very strong, dries slightly flexible meaning not brittle and sets up (grab) really quick.  Will not melt foam.

[Lemosteam]

FoamTac.  We use the stuff for foam pieces on our R/C airplanes.  Very strong, dries slightly flexible meaning not brittle and sets up (grab) really quick.  Will not melt foam.

Coll, I'll have to remember that product!  How well does it adhere to metals?

[MK]

It adheres just fine.  The working principle is contact cement.  We even use it to hinge our ailerons/moving surfaces, the glue being the hinge!  Not a single plane in two R/C clubs where the ailerons/moving surfaces broke off!

/>

/>

[Chris333]

Is FoamTac a brand new thing or are there others out there?  I looked at 2 hobby stores and neither had it, but they had others that seamed like the same thing.

[narrowminded]

Is it possible that this is the same stuff?  https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/ST1444/page/1

I originally thought it was basically PVA but after using it I'm not sure of that.  It seems to make a stronger joint but that's just anecdotal and the applications weren't identical to fairly claim that positively.  It's very strong on foam but makes no mention of being suitable for metal.

[MK]

FoamTac is not new and it's not the Woodland Scenics stuff.  It's made by Beacon Adhesives who has been around for 75 years.  They also make a lot of industiral adhesives.  MRR LHS most likely will not carry it.  You need to go to a LHS that carries R/C airplanes.  I have heard that now Michael's, the craft store, carries it but I have not personally confirmed it.  They do carry Beacon Adhesive products.  Suposedly Ace Hardware carries it and other LHS.

http://foam-tac.com/where-to-buy-foam-tac.html#.WlgaY66nGHt

I've used it on all types of material and it works fine.  They don't specifically say metal and a lot of other material but I've used it around the house everywhere and it's really the jack of all trades.  I've even used it to repair the sole of my running shoe (tip started to split) and I was surprised that it held!

We've tried other adhesives for our airplanes and there's nothing out there that is similar.  A wing is damage, we glue it back on, wait 20 minutes (in the summer time) and we go up again.  We're talking about 50" wing span and 2-3 pounds of plane.

[Chris333]

I checked Hobby Lobby and Michael's. Michael's had Beacon items just not FoamTac. I'll check another craft store tomorrow.

[Chris333]

Well I made progress  @cgw was gracious to send me some metal strips that were cut into 1/4" wide strips. And they were nice and meaty, about .035" thick. I used 1/8" hard board for the base. To trim the metal to fit I just scored it with a cut off wheel and broke it off. If I used tin snips they might deform the perfectly flat pieces. I used used super glue to put the metal down.


And here is the whole layout. Only 10x30" overall and only 7x30" of it will be "visible" the rest is behind a backdrop.


I have the cluster of 3 turnouts made and waiting for some Atlas Z scale flex to show up.