I noticed the small section of track I have ballasted is quite noisy when a loco is running along it. After some preliminary research, it seems my error was using PVA to stick the foam roadbed and ballast down. I need a flexible glue to take the reins. Fabric glue is an early contender. Any ideas? Reidy
Hi Reidy, I've heard of people using copydex diluted with surgical spirits, I believe Chris Nevard uses this method, so it must have some merit. I did some trials with different road beds a while back, using cork, 6mm foam rubber sheets, carpet underlay and shop bought foam underlay on a roll. Once ballasted the "normal " way with diluted Pva, they all sounded the same on their own, but when I layed 6mm foam rubber on carpet underlay the result was a very quiet track. Method used was neat PVA on the board to glue the thick carpet underlay (commercial thick underlay), once dry I used a spray adhesive for the foam under lay and then diluted Pva to ballast the track making sure the ballast and glue did not go onto the carpet underlay. Took ages to do and if you need to alter the track work can be a real pain. The other disadvantage I found was when I needed to drill a hole in the board as the underlay snags the drill and twists up. But with care it is do able. The type of track work you use will affect the sound as well, ie c&l track work, requires a lot less ballast. Another good topic, which I'm sure will get a lot of different ideas and methods to think about, Thanks for posting . Kim
In the UK they use a product called Copydex. In Australia, this is unavailable but Bunnings have something quite similar. If I'm correct it is Dunlop Resaflex. I may be wrong... http://www.dunlopdiy.com/component/zoo/item/premixed-resaflex Basically you are looking for a latex based adhesive. Another that springs to mind is Davco Ultraflex, but this only comes in 20L lots. Cheers, Gary. EDIT ** Check this product out : https://www.bunnings.com.au/dunlop-1l-multipurpose-carpet-and-cork-adhesive_p6610209 and this : https://www.bunnings.com.au/dunlop-2l-pressure-sensitive-carpet-tile-adhesive_p6820172
Thanks Kimbo/Gary Found this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/weldbond-60ml-universal-adhesive-blister-pack_p1210589 https://www.speedyproducts.com/pages/weldbond-specs-instructions The Dunlop gear looks as though it my be tricky to thin. I'll give this weldbond a spin and report back. 5:1 dilution should make it last. I will have to experiment with a surfactant to get it to soak in. The spec sheet looks like it's handy stuff alright. Don't you live it when you answer your own question? Reidy
