Old countertop as baseboard

[RobertInOntario]

Today, at a friend's suggestion, I went to our local Habitat for Humanity Restore outlet and picked up a 2' wide by 6' long kitchen countertop for $20. It will need cutting at the one end where it was basically broken off from the other section of counter top -- so it's rough & damaged at that end.

I'm thinking of using this for my 27" wide by 58" long N-scale layout. This layout basically consists of a piece of 27x68" pink foam only, which I've been using as an operating layout. The layout is about 50% finished in terms of scenery. Obviously, I will have to cut the countertop down to 68", which will get rid of the rough, damaged end.

It's also obviously slightly too narrow for my current layout but it's probably OK to have a few inches of over-hang? Otherwise, I will either have to add onto the countertop or use it for something else!

At any rate, this countertop seems quite strong and flat and was very cheap. Has anyone else used something similar or have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Rob

[BR60103]

Robert:
is the counter flat on top or does it have a backsplash? For a flat top, you might glue some extra foam on to the layout to keep it from sliding around.

[jcj380]

I had 18 inch wide foam on 15 inch wide hollow core doors with no visible flex. The foam was 1 inch thick. I didn't load the overhang with plaster scenery or anything like that though.

Probably best to experiment before risking good rolling stock or structures.

The only downside to a countertop that I can think of would be weight.

[RobertInOntario]

I had 18 inch wide foam on 15 inch wide hollow core doors with no visible flex. The foam was 1 inch thick. I didn't load the overhang with plaster scenery or anything like that though.

Probably best to experiment before risking good rolling stock or structures.

The only downside to a countertop that I can think of would be weight.

Yes, I agree. What I have is heavy and is still sitting in the garage! I've been considering foam more recently.

[railroader9731]

Weight wise I can speak for I built a 3ft x 6ft layout in n scale using 2inch foam and 1 inch x 2 inch pine strips for base and could pick it up and move it myself. Id say it weighed in at 15 lbs give or take.

[MasonJar]

Hi Rob,

The counter material is strong-ish, especially when supported by a bunch of cupboards; but it is heavy for the strength you get from it. To get really light for portable layouts, you need to engineer the lightness into the module.

I highly recommend the 2" extruded foam with either 1x4 pine, or even a luaun (door "skin") frame. Glue everything up and it is incredibly strong. Make your landscape from additional chunks of foam, expanding foam, or lightweight spackle.

I can post some drawings if you like.

Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

Hi Rob,

The counter material is strong-ish, especially when supported by a bunch of cupboards; but it is heavy for the strength you get from it. To get really light for portable layouts, you need to engineer the lightness into the module.

I highly recommend the 2" extruded foam with either 1x4 pine, or even a luaun (door "skin") frame. Glue everything up and it is incredibly strong. Make your landscape from additional chunks of foam, expanding foam, or lightweight spackle.

I can post some drawings if you like.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for this feedback. Sorry for the late reply...

Yes, I'm still planning to build a frame around my small switching layout as suggested, so yes I would be interested to see some drawings please. Yes, the countertop is pretty heavy, so it's still sitting in the garage!

My son & I are also interested in building a new micro switching layout (sometime in the near future), for which the foam would be excellent.

Cheers, Rob