Ray Von Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Hello all, I'm looking at modelling a flat ish yard, and as such am trying to avoid "mounded up" ballast around tracks. In the interest of deadening sound though I was wondering if cork floor tiles from my local diy place laid on the whole base board (approx 2 x 4) would be ok, firstly to provide a uniformly flat area and secondly muffle any noise? Or should I just lay track directly on ply? Any previous experiences gratefully received! PS I realise England are losing 10-6 in the Rugby so I'm willing to wait! :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RexAshton Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 I've always used cork tiles but you don't gain much in the way of sound deadening. One thing you could consider is using this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 That looks interesting! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBRJ Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Or in the aisle near the cork floor tiles you will find this underlay http://www.wickes.co.uk/Westco-General-Purpose-Kitchen-and-Bathroom-Underlay/p/122717 It appears to be very similar to the sort of stuff sold by C&L at a fraction of the price. It sticks well with PVA, and cuts very neatly and easily. I have tried it on a small scale test piece, and will use it further soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Cheers, that looks great! Thanks a lot :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Just a thought though, if I were to cover the whole baseboard in it - how would this material take scene scatter / buildings etc? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted March 18, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 18, 2017 B&Q also have cork rolls at £20 . I can't remember how much you get but it's a fair length at 1m wide. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Cheers legend, does it muffle noise though? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLT 0109 Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Any subsequent ballasting with negate all sound-deadening benefits from laying cork so, in my opinion, cork is only worth while if you want to create ballast shoulders or to hide wires etc that may be laid on top of the baseboard rather than attached below it. Harold. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Harry, in your experience does the cork underlay make any difference in unballasted sections of track though? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I use 3mm (unsealed) cork tiles on top of 12mm MDF. The main reason for using the cork is to allow track to be pinned temporarily until final positioning. Track is then glued in place. I use Evostick Wood Glue to glue cork to MDF and always had good results. Tried a roll of cork sheet once but found it hard to keep it glued down, kept curling up at the edges. Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Mal, the ones I've seen are sealed - does that make a difference then...? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Harry, in your experience does the cork underlay make any difference in unballasted sections of track though? Yes, it makes a massive difference, especially if you pin your track as opposed to glueing it.. I have glued mine on the scenic section & this increases noise. Painting the track (an allover coat for a section inside the tunnel) increases it further. Ballasting increases it further still. I ballast with copydex. Due to its flexible nature, it is a lot quieter than PVA. Watered down PVA soaks into your nice, soft cork & sets it rock hard, completely destroying its silencing effect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Thanks Pete, does copydex still smell? I remember my childhood "trainset" being decidedly whiffy! :-D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Mal, the ones I've seen are sealed - does that make a difference then...? Only if you want to paint the surface. Unsealed cork tiles take emulsion well and I like to paint the surface matt grey. Not essential, but gives a nice 'blank canvas' while you're laying track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 That's good to know, thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Thanks Pete, does copydex still smell? I remember my childhood "trainset" being decidedly whiffy! :-D Yes. No changes there. I believe you can get other soft adhesives. Evo-stik contact adhesive is rubbery but it dries too quickly to make it suitable for some things. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted March 19, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 19, 2017 I have used the sound insulation sheets sold for under laminate flooring. It kind of works for the hidden sidings and tunnels. On visible tracks I actually like the natural sound so I make no attempt to deaden it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Well, now I'm getting nostalgic for the smell! Great days - I had a Smokey Joe and a one carriage intercity, ooh and lichen. :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Colin, I was reminiscing during your post. I'm thinking that cork / foam aren't really worth the effort overall. :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Colin, I was reminiscing during your post. I'm thinking that cork / foam aren't really worth the effort overall. :-) Sorry, disagree. Cork does work, I've used the tiles in the past, but these days I swear by (rather than at) foam underlay. Glues down well with PVA and takes tracklaying well too, also with PVA. I use the Johnson's Klear method of ballasting and that gives an excellent result. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Could you elaborate on the Johnsons Klear for me? I've not heard of it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 2mmMark Posted March 19, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 19, 2017 Foam is a potential problem as some types can disintegrate over time. I used 3mm cork floor tiles for my US N scale layout as I wanted scope for drainage ditches. Not too fussed about sound-deadening as the US locos are nice quiet runners anyway. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Could you elaborate on the Johnsons Klear for me? I've not heard of it? Rather than go over old ground, I will refer you to this thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/48717-johnsons-klear/ steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Cheers Steve, but that's clear as mud to me! It appears to be something you can't get that isn't worth looking for? No offence! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.