Castle-Man Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Just wondered what people thought of using Balsa wood as a material to make platforms. Obviously it is easy to form and work with and it is light but are there an downsides? Has anyone done this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I have. Covered it with Metcalfe paving stone sheet. I can think of no downsides at all. I'm sure somebody will though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Now't wrong with balsa, I have used it myself in the past. Card however may be cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle-Man Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 Thanks. Particular though of balsa because I have some around from other modelling projects. Actually a medium sized pack of assorted pieces can be surpsingly reasonable. May go for card for some buildings. Think platforms could do with something more substantial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 It's a great product because you can shape it exactly to fit curved track without having to use a saw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 My platforms are balsa, too. 1/16 sheet for the deck, and square section framing underneath, to make the deck whatever height you want. (Extra bits of framing underneath for Scaledale resin buildings, as they are heavy!) You can make them anyh length or width you want, or even odd shapes - one of mine is a long triangle with a curved end! Grey paint looks like concrete, and the slightly rough surface looks right, too, not all flat and shiny!If you want concrete flags, scribe the surface of the sheet with the BACK of a craft knife, to just bruise the wood, before painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle-Man Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 Thanks for some great ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I am building platforms at present but I am using a sandwich of 12mm plywood between fibreboard clad in plastic card (brick for the sides and plain for the top. My platforms are curved and are carved from spare offcuts of wood using a jigsaw, Surform and glasspaper, and screwed to the baseboard. This gives a very robust sub-structure but I would not recommend this method for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyneside emu Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 could use 18mm or so MDF, shape any way you want and seal it, paint, etc etc make sure you wear a mask so you don't take in any of the fibresexample plenty of others around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Balsa is much easier to work with, no saw, no dust, no mask. Easily shaped................perfect. 😆 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buz Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Hi Castle-ManMy platform is of more rustic apearance it is a piece of melomine cut to shape toped with painted sand paper, and edged with balsa wood and a bit of hobby wood bass wood I think? for the overhang at the top.Looks the part for my railway very much a case of geting the right apearane for the style of railway being built.regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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