started my bench work for layout

[thatboy37]

me and my nephew started on my becnh work this weekend and this is as far as we got today. i figure we will finish up tuesday or wednesday let me know what you guys think of my first and i think my last benchwork this type of work is long and drawn out if you know what i mean.







this is something i put together on the floor just to get an idea of how much space it will take up and it is quite alot of space fastrack takes up.



these are pictues i took at the thomas train show for kids at THE HOBBY SHOP in MEMPHIS, TN. 1st me and my young nephew, 2nd me and my nephew coloring who looks to be having more fun, and 3rd my nephew his mom and my other half and the baby in her stomach due in feb of 07 this made my day just to have them come to something that i enjoy so much and enjoy themselves.







hope you guys like any replies welcome

tahtboy37 aka reggie

[pbjwilson]

Lookin good Reggie!

Great to see kids enjoying the trains. You might want to consider some angled supports or cross bracing from the tabletop angled to the legs. This gives alot more stability to the benchwork. Otherwise looks very good.
This is the best I could find. Here they brace straight across on the legs.

[csxt30]

Graet job Reggie !! Very nice pictures too !! Wonder if you have enough cross pieces in the benchwork, in other words spacing to prevent sagging later on. I always tried to get them 16 inches apart if possible. You are probably ok, I just can't really tell in the pics. though.
Won't be long, you'll be laying track & running a train !! [:D][:D]
Thanks for sharing !!

[dwiemer]

As stated above Reggie, you should have some angled pieces to give added support to the legs. But, remember, you will spend plenty of time under this thing between wiring and troubleshooting, so make it easy to get around under there. Another tip is to put a light under there so that you can work when you have the layout completed above. I am planning on having a dedicated drop light. I should be doing benchwork the end of the month, so you are a bit ahead of me.
Good Luck,
dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Great job. If I could get my rooms cleaned out that good, I'd be through. [;)] Still climbing over THEIR junk.

[thatboy37]

thanks for the comments will go back to the construction sites to get more pieces to brace the legs to the tabletops. if you have to build another layout i would suggest you try to find different sites to get your would from as it has saved me well about 2 to 3 hundred dollars as i only had to pay for the ply wood which ran me 2 hundred dollars. and that means i have extra to spend on my tracks as i see i need them. will invest in the braces as stated by you guys thanks again

[tschmidt]

Reggie,

The benchwork looks great and those guys gave you some good advice. I am looking forward to seeing further progress. It looks like it will be a good sized layout when done. Have fun working on it.

TomS

[thor]

Looks great but to reiterate, always triangulate. That means making cross braces anywhere there's a rectangle or square section EXCEPT the top because the plywood will do the same job.

[Anonymous]

Any train work is goood work!! About the braces, it's a good idea for strength. What I did was put braces across the bottom and added plywood for storage shelving, almost like the top. You'll always need storage. I also made popup trap door hatches where I couldn't reach from the sides.
Praise Him!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Reggie,
Looking good!
Here is a photo of the bracing on my legs. Instead of a plywood "gusset", masonite is even better.


With a little X-bracing or as Thor suggested, triangulation, your benchwork will be really strong.

[thatboy37]

hey got the wood from the site and will start the bracing tomorrow to add that extra support. i actually didnt get any work done today but find the wood i need. because i enjoyed the day with my family and ate alot of food as we all did. hope all of you had a blessed and fun 4th july. until i get some more work done on my layout and pictures posted peace and talk or e-mail you guys soon

[darianj]

Looks good so far Reg. Keep it up!