pvc foamboard

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I have been reading here of a lot of you using pvc foamboard. Looking at various supplier site I can't really get a feel for what it is all about. Could I ask where would be the best place to source this material and how to order. Is it easy to texture, such as a woodgrain effect. Thinking of using for scratchbuilding some SAR ng gon's and wagons. Much appreciation in anticipation.

Max..
 
I get off=cuts of 3mm and 5mm plasticard from a mate who obtains it from a signwriters.

Not sure if this is the same as foamboard?

Might be worth trying an Arts Shop....
 
Don't know what sort of PVC I use, but it is all cast offcuts from window soffit and bargeboard jobs. If I see an Everest van in the street I'm off on the scrounge. Haven't tried scratchbuilding rolling stock, a bit beyond me really, but I find the stuff ideal for buildings platforms etc
 
I use the plastic version as bases, they are old ice cream advertising boards, cut to shape then spray paint, light yet strong enough to carry a diorama.

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Hi Max,

I admit to using the stuff - you can get it from a plastic supplier who works in the 'exhibition sign' trade. It is NOT the artists foam board - that has the paper on the two faces. this is plain PVC solid foam sheet.

One make, which I started out with is, Vekaplan SF, there are others though

Have a look at Vekaplan's site http://www.vekaplan.de/vekaplan/divers/en/lieferuebersicht_vekaplan_sf.htm < Link To http://www.vekaplan.de/ve...rsicht_vekaplan_sf.htm

I use 5mm and 3mm thick sheets

They are BIG - 8 x 4 feet and as a result are not cheap! Now for smaller pieces I have a friend who can get it. The supplier will be able to cut it to 4 foot square to fit a car.

It is available in colours, but generally I use white - you want the semi matt finish, not a gloss - that harder to cut! Cut it with a saw, stanley knife, fretsaw, jigsaw or such there is a softer version that is easier still to cut.

It is totally stable, and can be joined with Evo-stik - Wilkinson's stores have it at the moment at just under £3.00 per 65 g tube. Paint it with anything, though I don't know about Cellulose paint but all others are OK.

The latest building is the hotel - that uses the 5mm stuff and plasticard and claer styrene for the big front windows.

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=177162&high=small+hotel < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...2&high=small+hotel

Another pair of buildings are at

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=38055&high=assay+office < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...igh=assay+office

In addition I use it for my freight cars - this one used some red sheets

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=237527&high=boxcar < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...237527&high=boxcar

You will gather that I think it is a superb material to use - in that you are right :)

Yours Peter
 
Hi Max,
I use a similar material to Peter, just a different brand called Palight and described as foamed PVC sheet. I tried the plastic faced foamboard mentioned by Ross above, but its a different product entirely and a bit lightweight for my needs. As I mentioned in my tram thread, I get good results with superglue. I prefer to use the 3mm sheet, which usually cuts with three passes of a stanley knife. Come to think of it I started using this stuff after reading one of Peters threads... Thanks. Sadly the last two sheets in my stash have been purloined to build a tent for the cat.....
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Dtsteam said:
Hi Max,
I use a similar material to Peter, just a different brand called Palight and described as foamed PVC sheet. I tried the plastic faced foamboard mentioned by Ross above, but its a different product entirely and a bit lightweight for my needs. As I mentioned in my tram thread, I get good results with superglue. I prefer to use the 3mm sheet, which usually cuts with three passes of a stanley knife. Come to think of it I started using this stuff after reading one of Peters threads... Thanks. Sadly the last two sheets in my stash have been purloined to build a tent for the cat.....
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Is this the same stuff that Mike uses, that can be scribed?
 
I think mike is using soffit board, which is similar stuff. Certainly the palight & vekaplan can be scribed just like Mikes. When I've finished the tram I was going to try to make 'wood' planks.
 
Dtsteam said:
Hi Max,
I use a similar material to Peter, just a different brand called Palight and described as foamed PVC sheet. I tried the plastic faced foamboard mentioned by Ross above, but its a different product entirely and a bit lightweight for my needs. As I mentioned in my tram thread, I get good results with superglue. I prefer to use the 3mm sheet, which usually cuts with three passes of a stanley knife. Come to think of it I started using this stuff after reading one of Peters threads... Thanks. Sadly the last two sheets in my stash have been purloined to build a tent for the cat.....
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Click to expand...

Stop thee whingin' . . . . . . . . . da puddy has da priorty!!! :bigsmile: :thumbup:
 
Dtsteam said:
I think mike is using soffit board, which is similar stuff. Certainly the palight & vekaplan can be scribed just like Mikes. When I've finished the tram I was going to try to make 'wood' planks.
Click to expand...
sofit bord for the platforms, and foambord for the buildings and walls..

P1120786.jpg
 
Dtsteam said:
Sadly the last two sheets in my stash have been purloined to build a tent for the cat.....
Click to expand...
My cat approves of your offerings to your superior feline companion. An offering of a complex structure for cat recreation will now have to be included into any planned poject I may have. Tried to give you 5 stars but would only go up to 2, how do I fix ?
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Many thanks all for your assistance on this one. I now have some good basics to work on. Still very interested to see the applications you have put this stuff to on this thread. Some really nice stuff here already.
Max
 
Hi Max,

Scribing PVC solid foam - I use a Olfa cutter BUT push it upwards, don't pull it as it can rip the foam surface.

Experimenting I used a blade type (carpenters) scriber which is OK but produces somewhat shallow grooves; better is one of the small screwdrivers with a bit of pressure on the blade if front of the handle. That will produce a good groove.

Later after painting & before varnishing the groove can be enhanced with a sharp pencil; the 'shininess' will be eliminated by the varnish I find. Acrylic varnishes are OK the 'traditional varnishes are a bit brown in color - that's OK for some colours.

For freight cars you can use Johnsons' Klear - its has a small amount of brown in their new mix, but behaves quite well - its sold a a floor polish - but its an acrylic varnish! To kill the small amount of shine (it dries semi matt) wash it over with a very thin coat of acrylic brown, + a small amount of windscreen washer fluid in a lot of water.

Yours Peter.
 
mike said:
Dtsteam said:
I think mike is using soffit board, which is similar stuff. Certainly the palight & vekaplan can be scribed just like Mikes. When I've finished the tram I was going to try to make 'wood' planks.
Click to expand...
sofit bord for the platforms, and foambord for the buildings and walls..

P1120786.jpg
Click to expand...
WOW I like the bricks..... The intending passenger looks familiar....
 
Hi Trev,

It MAY be in the USA PVC foam board is said to be Sintra board, on the site

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1062700 < Link To http://www.rcgroups.com/f...owthread.php?t=1062700

they say Sintra (USA) is also Foamex (outside USA?)

Here is a photo of the density of the sheets that I use, note the even finish - this has been cut by my small circuklar saw or a Stanley knife. some boards can have a much less dense finish - I have some 3mm board like that if and edge is left exposed it needs some filling before painting. though it is quite strong in itself, the top & bottom finish is equally more rough that these, which have a finish rather like good writing paper, nice a smooth but matt in finish.

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The sheets are quite stiff especially in 5mm thickness, but can with a good pull be bent slightly, but they will not allow bending to be permanent - no doubt because of theis they suggest its use for (flat) signs.

The only possible query is over another site (re flatbed printing ) which says it is OK for limited outside use'

Whilst looking through the web I found a compendium of buildings by me, that was put together by a member of 'mylargescale.com' for which I am very grateful.

PVC solid foam sheet comes into it at page 26 (of 113)

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/stevec/MLS-Topic-Article/PeterBunce/PeterBunceBuildings.pdf < Link To http://1stclass.mylargesc...eterBunceBuildings.pdf

That PDF may help as if you have a local supplier of Foamex, take the photos of the blue shotgun house along to show them what has been done with PVC solid foam sheet.

I have not seen Foamex so cannot be sure.

Personally I prefer for glue my favourite 'Evo-stik' - though industrial quality CA should do it as they put together soffits & fascias with it; it is just that the glue lengths needed are better done with the above as you have some time to let it set off CA is too quick, - I think that would apply to the gel style as well.

In addition to the above PDF there is also another (just updated) one on my horsedrawn vehicles, the link to that by 'Mr Google' is

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/stevec/MLS-Topic-Article/PeterBunce/HorseDrawnVehicles.pdf < Link To http://1stclass.mylargesc...HorseDrawnVehicles.pdf

that has 56 pages.

Yours Peter
 
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