Model Railroading > Spline out - 3/4 Kerf board in

One of my key finds at Bridgetown was a replacement for the old school spline used by Rod Loder on his Oregon Division layout. Kerf Board comes in 4X8 sheets from cabinet shops. The one used here is 3/4 inch thick cut a saw blade less than an inch thick by the cabinet shop. We stopped in Redding CA. and gave a sample to Rick building his Shasta Division. I think he's ready to switch. We have only used 4 feet of spline so far.
Anyone else use this stuff or can I call it "Loder Bed" ?  http://espee-in-oregon.com/rodespee/?cat=7



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/19 12:52 by dmaffei.

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Ed Austin also uses this method.

4thDistrict Wrote:
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> How strong is it? Is there much deflection when
> pressed down at the center between supports? How
> far apart are the supports?

Hi Rick,
Looks like the distance is about 18 inches or so. By hot gluing two sections together the strength is more than adequate. You can lay one side to the radius you want on the risers, then hot glue the other side to it. I was blown away by how easy it makes the job. If strength is a concern, glue a section of spline to the outside.

 

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Dave,Great looking bench work ,and spline roadbed.Nearly a shame to cover it with scenery.
Regards,dK

Pretty exotic!

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How do you attach it to the risers?  Looks like a nice method.

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> How do you attach it to the risers?  Looks like a
> nice method.

Glue, but you could also glue and screw if you were concerned the glue bond would fail.

Intriguing. I'm thinking helix material.

What's this stuff cost, Dave?

EO

I imagine the trick to getting that kerf board and being able to use it on a train layout is to get it cut very even and straight.  How do you do that, a table saw and control the cut carefully.  I'd consider such roadbed for my planned layout but don't own a table saw or plan to buy one at this point.

Cheers, Jim

EO,
Cost, not known, but will look locally for it. See here  https://www.holdahlcompany.com/kerfkore-board 

Cutting the board into 1 inch strips is done at the cabinet shop. Additional cost, but I feel the time savings is worth the spend

Really interesting idea, and it looks good, too.

The kerf board looks like it might also be useful for making curved back drops. 

Bob Perkins
 

rlperkins Wrote:
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> The kerf board looks like it might also be useful
> for making curved back drops. 
>
> Bob Perkins
>  

Agreed.