Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / August 2004

I use Blue foam. Its ideal except CA attacks it. Eventually it gets
scrapped.

Yes,

My 4' x 8' table has a full sheet of sheetrock on the top.

It requires some effort to push a T-pin into it. But they hold well
once inserted.

It needs firm support from underneath as sheetrock is pretty flexible,
and the edges are tapered. So don't build too close to the factory
edge.

Wrap any cut edges with wide masking tape to prevent the gypsum from
crumbling.

I use sheets of ceiling tiles.  Pins hold reasonably well, they are cheap,
and readily available.  I hesitate to use sheetrock as the gypsum can stick
to teh pins if you leave them in for long.  It is allso hard to push the
pins in and that can lead to bentpins and broken wood.

--
Paul McIntosh
http://www.rc-bearings.com

It'll work.  So will ceiling tile.  I put cork over mine.
Dr.1 Driver
"There's a Hun in the sun!"

   That's all I use. A 1/2" sheet on top of a hollow core door is dead-eye
straight and the sheetrock holds the pins a lot better than any foam or
ceiling tile.
   The great part is that I never have to worry about "protecting" it from
glue or drill holes while building because at about $5 for a 4x8 sheet, I
usually replace it with a new one every time I start a new model. It's great
to feel "new" while starting a new model with a brand new sheet; kind of
like putting on clean underwear right off the clothesline :-)

MJC

I use suspension glass on top of my workbench. This is the type of glass
used on tube frame coffee tables. It is very strong, doesn't flex much
so only minimal support is needed to level it, and allows me to put
plans underneath. To hold parts together I use masking tape, it really
works much better than pins and you won't shear balsa pieces with tape.

M.

I use celotex which is like ceiling tile but comes in 4X8 sheets like
sheetrock. I then attach it to a hollow core door and viola, nice, flat,
light weight building board. I've had this set up for several years without
replacing the celotex or the door.

Jim W.

The pins prolly wouldn't stick in very well.  When the pins are removed it
might leave lots of residue.

I use a ceiling tile.  The one I bought had some texturing, so I applied a
couple of shots of spackling, sanded and sprayed it with a popular sealer.
Every plane or two, I re-spackle and re-seal.
It will sit flat on a flat surface; curved on a curved surface.   :))

It's the only way to go...I've used nothing but sheetrock for many years
on a flat table.

The ceiling tile stuff or other foam type thingys are just too soft and
will not hold a T pin if the pin is in a bind.

Go with the rock....It works like a charm