Hobby Innovations Flexxbed impressions/experiences

I have used their Flexbed on several layouts and find it works better than anything else available today.  I had built several layouts using their Vinylbed and liked it better because of its multicolor appearance made it look as though track was ballasted and it was more dense.  You will find the Flexbed is  more flexible but because it is not a firm, you need to take care not to attach the track too tight or it will flex the track into the bed.

I will take a few photos with my iPhone and send them to you.

Happy railroading,

Don

Thanks Don...  that was my original concern...  it seemed not as dense...  they sent me a sample 10years ago, but i was also trying other samples at the time and couldnt recall exactly what it was like.

I use a floating anchor to mount my track so it doesnt clamp track and roadbed to the table.  My main concern was support of the weight of trains and track.  I was remembering not much stiffeness to it like vinyllbed.  

I dont mind the color as it will be ballasted.  I did like the multicolor of vinylbed, but my main concern is can it hold up to heavy o scale trains without smushing.

My track puts all the weight of the track and trains consentrated on 0.5in x 1.25in pads about every 4 inches.  So it doesnt have benefit of lots of ties to distribute the weight.

What track do you use?  Thanks

 I see your pic in email, thanks...

I think it may work fine for me.  When i ballast i will be gluing the ballast and that will stiffen things up.  So should be ok.  I was remembering something that would smush under my finger tip.  Maybe it was the open cell foam stuff i was testing.  I looked at several different types, but then had to tear down and move...

Thanks again...

Bob, I have never had any issues with the bed pushing down with the weight of a heavy train.  I have one area where I banked the curve using N cork roadbed under the outside of curve edge where I discovered I had tightened the screws too tight causing track to press into the bed.  This happened because the Atlas track is so strong that trying to get is to flex down just that 1/16 inch or so took on the inside of the curve took a lot of screw pressure.  In this area, I solved the problem by adding a lot more screws to the inside of the track to hold it down.

If I were building another layout, I would definitely use Hobby Innovations Flexbed.

Happy railroading,

Don

I am using Flexbed under Atlas track.  I was disappointed at how soft the product is.  I was expecting it to be similar to the old VinylBed which is very solid.   If you drive track screws too tightly, you can create a dip in the track or even separate the tie from the rail.  I don't think the weight of an engine over the track will be a problem and if you glue down ballast, it definitely won't be a problem.

Bob

RRDOC posted:

I am using Flexbed under Atlas track.  I was disappointed at how soft the product is.  I was expecting it to be similar to the old VinylBed which is very solid.   If you drive track screws too tightly, you can create a dip in the track or even separate the tie from the rail.  I don't think the weight of an engine over the track will be a problem and if you glue down ballast, it definitely won't be a problem.

Bob

Ok thanks.  I am using super O, obviously and have used and LOVED the original vinylbed...  but its not available any more...

Now i use a 'floating anchor' design for my track which is really quiet...  i can do it on super o because the mounts of the track are between ties like this...

So what i do is cut a .5" x 1.25" plate out of 1/16 aircraft plywood and glue that to TOP of the roadbed.  This is hidden by the super o.  This is what i screw to ONLY.  I ballast around these plates.  The screws never touch the benchwork. 

Since screws dont engage the benchwork, i wont have the squish issue like you guys.

The roadbed is glued (using elmers) to a sheet of 1in thick foam which is glued to the benchwork.  Its really QUIET.

What had me worried is before i ballast, i was thinking my floating anchers may sink into the flexxbed because its softer under weight of heavy engines like bigboys...  but this wont be a problem after i ballast because the gap under ties will be filled and the ties will keep the track from sagging into flexxbed at the anchors.

Whats nice about this design is the roadbed can easily be stripped up off the foam and reconfigured if desired.  Gluing to wood benchwork would destroy the roadbed if it is to be changed.  The foam just lets the roadbed come off easy.  The foam also helps you make more dramatic elevations falling below the roadbed level if desired by carving it away.  Eventually it is covered by woodland scenics plaster cloth for hard shell.

Thanks for your comments and feedback...