I have a two sided mattress that I decided to recycle. It is queen size so there is actually a lot of material I need suggestion on how to use. The quilted outer layer I think I may just trash. Inside that there is egg crate style foam about an inch thick, then there is a layer of 1/2 inch foam. The next is what I would call plastic hardware cloth. This I figure I can use for a base of plaster cloth. Then there are the coil springs and framework. Any thoughts on uses? I just hate to throw something away that I could probably use. Thanks.
I remember old model railroaders using stuff like this when no commercial products were available. Stuff like fake fur coats that doubled as a big grassy field, the outer layer of your mattress could be used for a far away appearing tree line with some dye color in it, etc.
My ex-wife used to call me THRIFTY, I just say I'm CHEAP. I've worked too hard for my money and don't intend to waste it anywhere I don't have to. A couple pf ideas; 1) Check out old, junk computer CPU's. A lot of small wire in there. Parts to make odd-sized flatcar loads. 2) Go places that sell pianos, appliances and building sites. Lots of excess plastic foam panels, sometimes small pieces, sometimes full sheets. FOR FREE. I've NEVER bought foam sheets/panels. White beaded stryofoam can be used UNDER red/blue/green, where you aren't planning to carve up scenery. Just used where you need to make a base for a mountain.
Duncan Donut Styrofoam Cups - On the 'Grey and Grandure III', (I think), I used them for bridge support. K-Cups - I'm using for elevated double track support. Strange? Weird? Works for me. Hollow core door that I pulled from sidewalk on trash day is currently my desk but will be used in phase 3 of the 'Grey and Grandure X'. I am keeping my eyes open for more hollow core and other treasures on the sidewalks. Wire from computer cables and power cords will be used for feeder wires along a 40' stretch of the layout. Olde cell phones ported to 'sugar cube speakers' will be used for sounds in various places. A few in the city so you might hear an argument in one, children playing in the park, and maybe a party in the other. There are those that have made full of or dissed my ideas. *Shrug*. I'm 65yo. I have 4 degrees central vision I mostly see positive and negative spaces I mostly see in grey scale with some color I design my structures / scenery for 'balanced perspective' as I view it. Is it hard? Yes. There are other modelers who have it worse. Some have pain even typing. Am I complaining? No. This is a great hobby where each of us can share our ideas / methods / concepts in a positive and upbeat manner. Do people who dis my ideas really think I care?
This is great info everyone. I just hate to throw something away just to go buy a different alternative a week later.
This thread has had me thinking. I'm one of those terrible hotel gust that forgets to turn in my room key card when checking out so I have a whole stack of them. They are slick plastic and about the size of a credit card so I wonder what uses they might have. Thoughts?
I'm a cashier at a large pharmacy chain who puts store credits on similar cards. Temporary door latch 'blocks' so the door does not lock Stands for N-scale people or animals and other items Opening packages, the edges are great for that Scraping lottery tickets Scraping in general A surface for dabs of paint or glue Reinforcement for structures There is more.
I’m using left over premix tile grout from a project to make asphalt roads. It’s actually tan, but I paint it with cheap acrylic in a pavement color from Wallyworld. It also looks like unfinished ready mix concrete if painted the correct shade of gray.
