ChrisH Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I have a wooden build board on which to build model aircraft which I would like to cover with an inexpensive more "pin friendly" material - the board is so hard that pins often bend rather than stick in, and sticking them in is very difficult. I wondered what other folk use? I had thought of cork sheet, but that is expensive, or hardboard, but that might be too hard still. My latest thought was perhaps 1/4 inch thick balsa sheet - would the 'hard' grade be hard enough? Or what other materials have people used to good effect that are not too costly? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Plasterboard - cheap(ish), easy to use, takes pins well and is easy to replace Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy C Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I have an MDF board that I glued (PVA) a layer of cork tiles from wickes to. Not think, but seems to hold the pins well enought for me. I'm put off of plasterboard purely by the dust it produces! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrunner Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I'm with Pete on this one. Plasterboard. Cheap, easy to push pins into, draw on it, chuck it after a couple of years and replace. Oh yes I stick mine onto a bit of laminate worktop offcut with parcel tape around the edge, no dust either. Phil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Plasterboard with edges taped up with duct tape. Easily replaced and easy to push pins through. Dust???? get more when sanding down balsa and none out of plasterboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Plasterboard is the stuff to use, there is no problem with dust once it's cut. Cutting is done by scoring on one side with a Stanley knife then placing over a batten and snapping. then fold right back and cut through the paper on the other side. Take the knife and a 4ft batten and cut down to size to get into a car. B&Q etc won't cut it on their panel saws! Actually builders throw away pieces big enough for most model building - 3ft by 2 ft is probably big enough plus a few smaller pieces to use for tailplanes etc. Just make sure it is flat. Spars can be held down to the plasterboard using screws and wooden clips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisH Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 Thanks for those two excellent suggestions. Plasterboard I had masses of off-cuts of, thought "won't need these anymore" and sent them to the tip! Typical! But that is one very good idea. The Sundeala board is also available from some model shops, also maybe even office suppliers, so will look out for that too. Having said that, plaster board is cheap as chips and easily available and with the edges sealed with tape................ sorted! Thanks again, Chris Edited By ChrisH on 14/01/2017 16:36:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Bradley Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I bought some Sundeala board a year or so ago from a local model railway shop. When I got it I found that it was warped. I never did manage to get the warp out and I found that it was not that easy to get pins into. I think it is mainly used for model railway layouts. I think the next thing to try will be plasterboard (or dry lining board, which may be the same). Derek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Bradley Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 A quick PS. Slec do end grain balsa sheets specifically for building boards but, if you want a particularly large one, they are quite expensive. However, knowing Slec, I am sure that they are ideal. Derek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I also use plasterboard, nice and flat and easy to pin.......Oh and very cheap! I've heard sundela board can be used too but it's expensive in my view. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Adams Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I've used laminate floor insulation tiles. They are about 500 mm square & 6 mm thick. They take pins easily & are simply replaced when damaged. I got some from a laminate floor shop years ago. when I told the salesman what I wanted it for he gave me a damaged pack for free. I'm still using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I use pinboard, the sort of board which is used for school notice boards, glued to a chipboard base. However, if I need a bigger building board or another one, I will use plasterboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Wolf Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I use sundeala board, purchased from builders merchant. I bonded the board to kitchen worktop as worked ok, after a few years the work top has warped slightly. This I think is because the worktop is only 30mm thick and attached to cheap kitchen units. I am going to build a small magnetic bench for my next project, it will be based on the articles from airfield models. **LINK** SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Wolf Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Hi Percy, Its does not help that my room is the loft so the everthing is more or less free standing. However i have plans to move into one of the bedrooms. Just have to wait awhile, inbetween time I will experiment with magnetic board and tempered glass board. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 My bench is metal so I needed something I could stick pins into. 3 mm+ lightply is ideal and not too expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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