"Thin "Blue Board" Material (Cellfoam 88)" Topic

This is something I found at a local craft store (Hobby Lobby), and that I plan to use to add details (stair steps, door frames) to some of my blue/pink board terrain:

link

Hope you find it useful too.

CC
PS. Unlike foamboard, this material can be sanded, scored, etc., without the sharp edges that the cardboard layer in foamboard leaves.

The one I purchased was a pack (product #5921) of 3 sheets that were 1/4 inch thick (5mm) and 11.5 (292mm) by 11.5 inches.

I paid $4.99 USD for those 3 sheets.

Additional specs for the material in general:

link

CC

Lots of on-line sources:

link

CC

Has anyone used the thicker versions of this cellfoam 88 – I have just done a search in Australia and have found a supplier not far away with it in sheets of 3mm – 20mm.

Is this the same as the blue board people talk about as a great base for terrain tiles?

Sorry to be pednatic here, but 5mm is closer to 3/16" than 1/4"

without the sharp edges that the cardboard layer in foamboard leaves

I've never had this problem, but I have a "thing" about using really sharp knived (and keeping them that way)

Is this the same as the blue board people talk about as a great base for terrain tiles?

Yes.

It's an extruded polystyrene, colloquially called "styrofoam", aka blue foam, pink foam.

At a density of 50kg/m3 it is, however, much denser than normal styrofoam which falls between 26 and 34 kg/m3

Which means that it is excellent for model making, especially bulk wall then coated with embosses styrene, or carving in detail with a biro or knife.

The extra density will also mean that some glues can be used on it such as superglue (but please test), especially in conjunction with an accelerator.

It will be air tight though, so dont use PVA or other air-dry emulsions to stick sheets together as the glue between the sheets will not dry (no air will get to it).

You will get PVA to work, but the only glue that will set is a very thin edge around the exposed edges of the boards. Better to use UHU Por or foam-2-foam from Deluxe materials.

- – - -

13/64 inches is 5.159 mm
3/16 is 4.762
1/4 inch is 6.350 mm

We sell this stuff at our shop.

It is alternatively called Depron, Zepron, or CellFoam (A midwest trade name)

We use it to build electric radio controlled airplanes and it is ace for that. I have been using it for buildings and for different structural work for scenics for a bit now and it seems to perform well.

While you are at your local hobby shop, there are a range of glues that work very well for this material. I tend to use Bob Smith's foam safe CA glue. I know it is a bit expensive, but it works like a charm and doesn't harm the foam (or plastics for that matter) at all. Alternatively, gorilla glue, a resin based glue, or elmers, a vinyl based glue works as well. It takes longer to dry though.

-Mike

does it rip when cutting like the cardboard backed foamboard or is it more carveable?

Lon,

It is a lot easier to carve and detail than foamboard. I am really liking the results so far.

CC

Any chance of getting a close-up pic of this side-by-side next to blue and/or pink-foam? Have you used any hot-wire cutter on it yet? Thanks.

does it rip when cutting like the cardboard backed foamboard or is it more carveable?

Pretty much anything will rip if your knife is blunt.

And, yes, it will rip/tear if you don't use a sharp blade – if you do use a sharp blade then it wont rip, mind you neither will foamboard.

Any chance of getting a close-up pic of this side-by-side next to blue and/or pink-foam?

There's no appreciable difference in appearance against normal styrofoam, its just denser but is still a closed cell extruded polystyrene.

SO its like this picture only a fair bit smoother.

Have you used any hot-wire cutter on it yet?

As with all extruded polystyrene foams the denser it is the hotter it will cut at (general rule of thumb anyway).

So you'll ideally want a variable temperature cutter and the cheaper battery powered single temperature ones may not cut it at all.

Major Ork,

Since I am still living out of hotels, the Cellfoam was ideal and easy to transport.

Being thin sheets, I have started doing the cutting and scoring with a hobby knife. From this initial work, however, I know it feels and looks EXACTLY like the blue and pink foam boards, except it is thinner (perfect for accent details).

CC

Cacique Caribe,
Thanks. I've been looking for a thin version of pink or blue and it sounds like this will fit the bill.

You are most welcome.

I hope it works for you too. I can't wait to get home to attach the pieces I have already carved out.

CC