Soffit Board - is there nothing it can't do?

[bazzer42]

[Having been a 4mm modeller for a "few" I've had a bash at scratchbuilding using 9mm soffit/fascia board in place of plasticard. With some Jackson miniature sheets and windows so far so good. Learning as I go - there is no substitute for Floplas glue - double sided tape doesn't hack it and I can alread see a rebuild to the engine shed coming on. All joints are reinforced with upvc angle and all paintwork is courtesy of aerosals (largely motor grey/black/red oxide/white)
First bash at posting so if all goes belly-up not for want of trying to do the right thing.

 

[KeithT]

Soffit board is certainly resilient stuff.
I have had a surplus length of it propped up at the end of th garden for 6yrs and noticed the other day that it is still perfectly straight.

 

[MR SPOCK]

Your buildings are super mate the look and finish are brill Its spot on stuff for everyting I use pipe solvent to stick it and overflow pipe to reinforce the corners​

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its good and strong for tunnels and gradients as well more stable than wood and cheaper too​

 

[bazzer42]

I'm hoping it will last or at least retain its straight edge. Just need a bit of patience cutting windows if you use the old Stanley knife. I used 10mm roofing polycarbonate to do the one side of the loco shed. I have used stainless self tappers as well as glue to reinforce the joints but the Floplas is strong enough on its own. Have experimented with silicone to bond but I'm too impatient to wait for it to set....

 

[daveyb]

oh thats good!!!!!!! i hate you already!!!,,,,, wait till i tell my dad about your creative magic!!

i love it when i see rubbish turned into really great stuff,,,,

well done,,,

 

[yb281]

Only one word for it ............. brilliant!

 

[dudley]

good for you, i use freebies as well, always on the lookout for things that i can use on the railway.

 

[MR SPOCK]

its my favouririte fast build stuff​

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[bazzer42]

Hi Pete - love that stone work. What's your secret recipe? My resin tunnel mouths didn't like a drop to the floor and they also look a little too 2D for my liking.

 

[bobg]

I've been using it lately as well, but it hasn'r half gone up in price, I bought two 220 x 2.5m lengths about a month ago for £12.95 each from Wickes and when I went back for some more last week it was £17.98. Ouch!!!

 

[mike]

im plannnig on useing the sofit bords for the new platforms on the new lazy..

 

[stockers]

Should work well Mike - Or Bruce and I have both used that cement plaster board made for showers. Aquaboard was one trade name - Has a nice roughened surface. Should be weatherproof - we will see.

 

[MR SPOCK]

The stonework isnt mine it was like that , I am suprised this tunnel front isnt smashed as well the amount of times it fell over!

Hi Pete - love that stone work. What's your secret recipe? My resin tunnel mouths didn't like a drop to the floor and they also look a little too 2D for my liking.

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[royale]

Very nicely done, Derek - You must have some really low streamlined trains to get into that tunnel into your shed !!!

 

[KeithT]

Should work well Mike - Or Bruce and I have both used that cement plaster board made for showers. Aquaboard was one trade name - Has a nice roughened surface. Should be weatherproof - we will see.

I considered using that - - - until I saw the price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second mortgage job!

 

[bazzer42]

Should work well Mike - Or Bruce and I have both used that cement plaster board made for showers. Aquaboard was one trade name - Has a nice roughened surface. Should be weatherproof - we will see.

I considered using that - - - until I saw the price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second mortgage job!

I have used Aqua panel for the platform (see milbrucke in gscale pictures) but not cheap as you say. Another useful sheet I have found is the modern "slate". At about £1 each they have been used for the platform under my goods shelter/canopy and they also cut well with a bench tile saw. They also form the base of the small shed above (removable) and the roof before the backtobay6 corrugated went on. Next job is a goods shed and the dimensions for that may be based around slate sizes.

 

[bobg]

I've replaced the 'ladder' support on one section of track with soffit, cut into 30mm strips glued in pairs to suit the curve. Much quicker than the previous ply (triple) method as the glue dies withing an hour instead of 24.

The top track-bed is just screwed to it. The screws hold remarkably well.

My intention is to continue anywhere the old 'ladder' is getting dodgy, as required.

 

[Don Gilham]

Well I'm a [strike]convict[/strike] convert

 

[stockers]

Should work well Mike - Or Bruce and I have both used that cement plaster board made for showers. Aquaboard was one trade name - Has a nice roughened surface. Should be weatherproof - we will see.

I considered using that - - - until I saw the price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second mortgage job!

About £12 for a 4 x 3 ft sheet - that sounds cheaper than soffit board to me. (Unless of course you have some left over.)

 

[bobg]

Granted! Soffit board isn't particularly cheap, and has risen sharply lately, but should be better from dedicated suppliers rather than DIY. I will be testing this out soon as I need some more!

One serious advantage is that it is exceedingly easy to work. Any saw will cut it, power or hand, and it can be trimmed with a good knife, or even filed.

Usual story; gee gees for courses.