Benchwork Help!

[RRaddict]

Yes I have looked at pre fabricated bench work and it is just too expensive for me. I do appreciate all the input here though as it has lead me to several sources to doing benchwork and I think I have found enough stuff dumbed down for me. Maybe we should write a "Benchwork for Dummies" book to go beside "How to fill your car with gas for Dummies" book.

Thanks to everyone again:-)

Kev

[aflyer]

Kev,

I am not sure if you looked at the Mianne Benchwork site but the 6 X 12 benchwork package is $609. I bought there stuff for my layout and I believe it is worth the money. I think you could have the benchwork put together in 4-5 hours and be laying down plywood, and foam the same day. The shipping cost was 10% of the product cost, and no extra screws, nuts and bolt, or nails or tools to buy.   To build it, all you need is a screw driver and a level.

The website is listed below, if you haven't seen it yet, and good luck with your decision on benchwork.

http://www.miannebenchwork.com

Aflyer

[Buckeye Riveter]

Oldie but goodie.

http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/p/169004/1855940.aspx#1855940

[Curmudgeon]

I have built many, lots, untold numbers of layouts. Big 4X8, wall shelf layout (long), did it professionally, locally, for many years.

I have a big 0 in the basement, been there about 30 years. I have never, as in ever, done "L" girder.

I know folks who have done spline (many firring strips), didn't listen, and, just like we wraned, 20 years later, before anything ever ran, it all came out.

I use 1X4's on edge. Long ones where needed (12') to hold it together, 1X4 stringers, box the cutouts, pre-drill for the drywall screws on the outer (so it won't split), put it together.

You don't even need full pieces of plywood.

I lay 1/2" ply, then 1/2" soundstop (brown), brad nail my GarGraves down, then wire it, then ballast.

Worked for me for over 50 years.

You build it to last forever, you are over building, as it will come down for a move, a redesign, whatever long before that.

Dave

[fifedog]

Well...if you know how to construct a 4 x 8, you can just construct another 4 x 4 and bolt it at one end...

Or...I could send you the FIFEPUP 2000 to build it for you.  He already is experienced in constructing quality benchwork, and all you need to do is feed him...

         ...which may make pre-cut benchwork more cost efficient.

[RRaddict]

The precut bench work is far too expensive to use to make this size of a layout.  If I was able to get a step by step guide I can do it. I should of said that I just wouldn't know how to cut the pieces but if I had something to show me that had things pre-measured it would be no problem but I don't know how to make anything beyond a 4 X 8.

[Phoebe Vet]

http://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/model-railroad-benchwork.html 

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-books-layout-construction-series.html 

 

[Zero Export]

KEV, if you dont have good carpentry skills, then trying to make your own cookie cutter bench work is not for you

as lion roar said, the lionel prefab  or try Mainne benchwork.  both are pricey but I think you trying your own will push you away from the hobby. for qa small layout the headaches arnt worth the troubles. 

Ryan

[lion88roar]

Kev - I doubt you would ever find something like that because everyone's tastes are different. If you are looking for something easy to assemble take a look at Lionel's new FasTrack modules. There are manufacturers that sell easy to assemble bench work - they advertise in CTT - just have to look around through the mag... I no longer subscribe or I would help with page number references.

[RRaddict]

I recently moved in to a new home with much more room for a layout.  I plan on building a 6 X 12 layout but I have very little carpentry skills. I know I want a hole in middle and run the trains from there. I looked at the different publications and cannot find a step by step guide to building I guess what would be called a cookie cutter olayout. If anyone can help that would be great. I learned a lot from building the first I now know what not to do and the order not to do it in.

Kev