Britannia Builder Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 I've built the framework for my new track to support 6 1200x600mm Sundeala boards, 9mm thick.I've had the boards for several weeks now in a centrally-heated spare bedroom and despite lying flat they are still curved up at the edges as they were when delivered - about an inch at each corner. I can obviously screw them down to flatten them, but I'm a bit concerned that there might be a slight concavity remaining between the battens. I'm wondering whether spraying the backs of the boards with water and letting them dry for a few days on the frames might flatten them? Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Sundeala board should be laid on top of some other sheet material ideally ply or perhaps MDF. I would use ply. In fact I use 9mm ply without anything on top except track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 When you say base board frame does it just support the edges?I would recommend a few cross beams at between 300 and 600mm centres. This should reduce the risk of sagging (I used 600mm originally but then I did use a harder MDF. Also this part of my layout is made up of three 1.2x0.6m with a central cross member. Just one thing though, If your using below track point motors plan your cross member locationscarefully so as not to be below or close to a point motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I agree with WTD. In fact, I have glued my Sundeala (using wood glue) to 18mm marine plywood. I have no experience of wetting Sundeala but I can imagine that it will swell up and probably not recover - I personally would not try it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britannia Builder Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 Too late, RDS, I sponged water into the backs of 3 of the boards yesterday! It seems to have done the trick - I left them to dry on the frames overnight and they are now perfectly flat. Sundeala do recommend this water treatment on their installation leaflet (approx half a litre per board, which is quite a lot of water) if installing in damp/cold conditions such as a garage, but say it shouldn't be necessary in a centrally-heated room. However my boards were a bit bent as delivered and didn't flatten out prior to the wetting. Sundeala recommend two cross beams of 50x25 laid with the wide face uppermost in a 1200x600 frame, which I've done. However I'm now in the process of adding a longitudinal beam along the centreline as well, to be on the safe side. The 'holes' are now 260x360. I'll just screw the boards down so that I could lift them again in case any sagging occurs. Thanks for all the advice. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Well I hope it all works out for you John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Too late, RDS, I sponged water into the backs of 3 of the boards yesterday ... and they are now perfectly flat. Sundeala do recommend this water treatment on their installation leaflet ... That's is great news John and a lesson for us all, well me anyway!I tend to work on the principle, 'if all else fails read instructions'. Maybe a re-think is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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