I had just started working on my new layout, the last time I had built a layout was about fifteen years ago.  This time, like most of use I had a little less to work with to build it.  I have gotten myself back into scratch building as much as possible.  So when it came to my roadbed I started researching what I wanted to use, foam or cork?  Foam seemed too soft and springy, but it looked more affordable then cork.  My first step was where do I find cork sheets.  Researching on the web I had found out I need to look for a roll of cork underlayment for flooring. 

While watching one of my favorite television show “The Woodwright's Shop” I realize I can make my own tool for making roadbed.  After some thought, I used my hobby knife and found it cut an old piece of cork roadbed fairly easily.  I decided to make a tool for making two cuts in the sheet of cork.  I looked in my wood scrap pile and found a 4”x 5/4”x 12” piece of wood.  I cut a ¼”x 1 5/8” rabbit on the long edge of the board.  I then cut a 45-degree bevel half way on the rabbit and 5” down the board.  With that I attached two old blades, one to length at 90 degrees and the other in the middle at 45 degrees.  This allows me to make two cuts at once. 

I bought the 100 square feet (4’x25’) of ¼” cork sheet online.  When it arrived I immediately opened up the roll and tried my newly made tool out.  I laid a 2x4 on the sheet to keep it flat.  I put pressure on the board with one hand and my knee, then with my other hand I pushed down on the tool and pulled it towards me.  Much like a block plain it glided through the cork.  It worked, I was making four foot strips.  Even though I have not cut all of it, at one and half inches wide I figured I can get about two hundred pieces four foot long.  That is 800 feet of roadbed or over twelve miles in HO scale.