How to find the rigth foamboard in the "old world"

[T68]

Hi all!
New member and first time poster here. I am interesting i trying a scratch foam build from plans but have a hard time figuring out which type of foamboard to get here in Sweden. The original Flite Test boards are kind of pricey to buy overf here, but there seems to be a couple of cheap alternatives around. Just that I am not sure what kind of characteristics and specifications to look for when it comes to material, surface, weight etc.
Thanks in advance for any input on this matter!

 

[Merv]

Anything that is similar thickness & weight will work. You can instantly tell the weight difference by picking up a piece in the store.

A plane made from ordinary cardboard, the stuff your Amazon purchase comes in, will fly just as well as a foamboard plane. The foamboard has a smoother surface, so the fb plane will look better when painted. We use fb because it's cheap, lightweight & widely available.

I use 3 brands of fb, Adam's fb, which is the original fb FT used, also known as Dollar Tree fb. Ross fb and Penn&Gear fb. All 3 of these are very similar. I will buy the one that is in stock at the store I happen to be at. A 20x30 inch sheet will weight about 4 Oz & cost just over $1. We have other brands of fb that will weight 8 oz per sheet & cost $3-4. Planes made with heavy fb still fly very well. But why pay more for a heavyer plane.

Use what ever you can find that is cheap and lightweight. If they stopped making fb in the USA, I would build planes from cardboard or insulating foam.

 

[SlingShot]

Hi all!
New member and first time poster here. I am interesting i trying a scratch foam build from plans but have a hard time figuring out which type of foamboard to get here in Sweden. The original Flite Test boards are kind of pricey to buy overf here, but there seems to be a couple of cheap alternatives around. Just that I am not sure what kind of characteristics and specifications to look for when it comes to material, surface, weight etc.
Thanks in advance for any input on this matter!

You can check at Office Depot if you have one in your town. Their foamboard is heavier, but I've used it successfully.

 

[T68]

Thanks for responding!
What is the best thickness to look for?

 

[Merv]

Thanks for responding!
What is the best thickness to look for?

The FT plans are for 5mm fb.
It's an easy fix if your fb is different. Feel free to modify the plans to accommodate your needs as we all do.

 

[ezbruh]

5mm or 3/16 inch also walmart fb doesn't work great...

 

[Flying Cherokee]

I have heard that depron works quite well too if you can find it.

 

[Shurik-1960]

15 years ago, it was difficult to find foam ceiling tiles without a pattern. I bought the lightest construction foam and dissolved it into 3mm and 6mm thick sheets on a simple sheet of plywood + nichrome wire. The ceiling tile has a size of 500x500 mm. I glue 2 tiles together to get a 1000x500 mm size. 20 years ago, I was in Berlin and saw a lot of ceiling tiles in small and large hardware stores. I don't understand why you don't use ceiling tiles in construction.I bought a pack (10 sheets - 3 mm thick) for $1.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Hi all!
New member and first time poster here. I am interesting i trying a scratch foam build from plans but have a hard time figuring out which type of foamboard to get here in Sweden. The original Flite Test boards are kind of pricey to buy overf here, but there seems to be a couple of cheap alternatives around. Just that I am not sure what kind of characteristics and specifications to look for when it comes to material, surface, weight etc.
Thanks in advance for any input on this matter!

Welcome to the forum!