My previous thread about a 4x8 metamorphisized (is that a word???) into a discussion about jobs, and so I'm starting another because the moderators deleted the other...
OK my first question is what is considered max reach in depth? Let's say it's 36 inches, after all I'm almost 6'4" I could modify the Virginian or CSX 4x8s that have appeared in MR over the years?
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Steven:
Reach in depth varies with many things: your height, layout height, what you want to do at that reach.
Laying track thirty inches from an edge might present difficulties. Putting in a two foot square previously built foam mountain probably will not.
Dave
Welcome back!
Your reach is dependent on the height of the layout, the lenght of your arms, and your agility - as well as your height. Only you can determine what your reach will be, and to do that just set up a board at the proposed layout height, reach out and measure.
To some, 24 inches is preferred, I personally like 30 inches. If you are sticking with a 4x8 and can get to 4 sides, reach is not a problem.
If you can't get to 4 sides, you might want to reconsider and go with a narrow switching layout or the like.
Remember, your previous thread had an awful lot of good advice and comments about layouts, and they still hold.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
OK my first question is what is considered max reach in depth? Let's say it's 36 inches, after all I'm almost 6'4"
Reach is measured quite differently than the length of your shirt sleeve.
It's time for an experiment. Assuming you have a layout, that is not a coffee table layout, but something above your waist 40-50" off the ground. This removes the advantage a tall guy has leaning over a lower layout.
Put a boxcar on a piece of sectional track or whatever scraps you have in the middle of your dining room table.
My guess is it will be less than 27"
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
My layout is 48in from floor,tables are 24 deep,track is <18> from front edge.
I'm 5'11''. 18 in reach is not an issue,untill you add building, trees and stuff. The higher you go the shorter the reach.
There is a turnout on that section, I left room between buildings to reach in and flip it.But,,, I would be hard pressed to rerail a car back there.
Reaching to touch and reaching to do something,,two different things
there are two way's to have a deep layout access the highpriced way is to invests in a topside creeper or like one bud had , he put heavy duty hooks into rafters then made up a padded (for lack of any better name) thing like a childs swing , he just put chain on hooks and used a step stool to get where he could lay in seat , his layout was 60" wide.
My goal is mountain scenery so if the innermost track has a 24" or 22" radius what would place the inside track maybe 24" from the edge and the other 12" is for scenery...
NWP SWPLet's say it's 36 inches, after all I'm almost 6'4"
.
Too far Steven.
I am 6' 7" tall, my layout is going to be about 36" high, and I will not have a reach more than 30".
You need to consider how much effort it will take to work on a reach further than that.
Build a mock up out of cardboard moving boxes with a reach of 36". Then try to perform some tasks at that reach. Put out some track and rerail a car. Apply some plaster. Paint some scenery. Spike some rails.
You will see what I mean. It is very difficult.
One experiment is worth 1,000 theories. Grab some cardboard and a hot-melt glue gun and get to it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
its not just about height (yours and layout) and reach, it’s about realistic ability to do any actual work. Simply reaching in 30” is one thing. Doing scenery or track work, not to mention maintenance — where you need to work at that extension for an extended time — is another thing altogether. I’m 6’3” and in relatively good shape. Any work that requires a full arm extension gets old fast. Very fast.