Foam board block

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

Can you build a hull with foam board in one block piece my boat will be 86cm long.

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Graham

The long answer is that if you are building a solid hull then with care you might manage it but if you wish to carve out the interior to accommodate batteries / motors etc I very much doubt that the foam board will have the integral strength to support itself without snapping.

The short answer is no.

Paul

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

If you carve / shape the outside then cover with a couple of layers of fibreglass before removing any of the insides it may be OK.

Worth a try – then report back on success or "other" !

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

just wondered what thickness would the foam be if I just want to carve out each rib and glue them together to get the full length of the boat? also where would I get the foam

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Celotex is available in 1", 2" and 4" thicknesses from Wickes (and others).

Just be very careful when cutting and sanding because of the dust.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

To add to Trevors post:

If you are going to use a foam material such as celotex and intend to sand it indoors then you will need to be in an isolated area that has mechanical ventilation to the outside air, the room must be hermetically sealed from the rest of the building and for your own protection will need a minimum P2 dust mask although personally I would use a full face forced air respirator.

Before using you should read all of the COSSH data for the product and take the appropriate safety precautions.

In a construction site environment I would NOT have permitted the sanding of any foam material and I strongly recommend that you choose a different material to build your boat from.

Paul

 

 

 

Edited By Paul T on 19/02/2013 11:02:25

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

would it be safe sanding and cutting it outside

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Not without adequate precautions for yourself and those close by, you will also have to consider the wind strength and direction especially as the dust is light and will carry a long way.

I must make it absolutely clear that in no way should my comments be taken as advocating the use of celotex boards in this way.

Paul

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

is there and other products that are friendly than celotex?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Graham

Perhaps if we approach your question from a different angle we might come up with an answer.

It would help to know what kind of model you want to build and more importantly why you want to use foamboard?

Paul

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

right its an aircraft carrier aka HMS Illustrious at 1:96 scale I have tried to build the hull with wood and it hasnt worked out and its costing me money for wood when Im not working and looking for a cheap option to build the hull.

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

Posted by graham mcrobert 2 on 18/02/2013 16:34:52:

Can you build a hull with foam board in one block piece my boat will be 86cm long.

 

Not sure about foam board, How thick is it ?., there is a guy on Mayhem who is doing similar stuff all the time, allthough I could not say for sure it is foam board but something he seems to use quite regulary; "thermocol" looks much like polistyrene to me.

Tends to build the superstructures out of foamboard

**LINK**

Saying that, this thread shows him building a hull out of Foamboard..

**LINK**

 

The guy lives in India and seems to turn out quality looking Scratch built boats on a very regular basis..

 Hobbystore sell foam board

 

Edited By The Long Build on 19/02/2013 15:32:33

Edited By The Long Build on 19/02/2013 15:33:38

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Graham

The chap in India is using a foam cored craft board and not a cellotex material, the craft board has a polystyrene type core and is used by Architects for building model displays. I use this board to build my prototypes and sometimes the superstructure on finished models, it is easily worked with a sharp knife and can be quite strong when used in small areas.

This board is available on fleabay or from Hobbycraft where A1 size sheets are 3 for £10.

For your model I would use a combination of plywood and craft foamboard.

Paul

[graham mcrobert 2Participant @grahammcrobert2]

thanks for the info and will update you when I start the build

[Author]

Posts