Construction Begins...

[Anonymous]

Lot's of good posts since I posted last... Anyway, I just passed my first milestone on my way to constructing my very first model railroad ever! I settled on the 4x8 and plan on keeping things as simple as possible since this is my first attempt at layout construction.

I'm going with a foam top, but I was concerned about strength, so I'm also adding a plywood base. Here's my purchased material and construction plan:

TOP
2 sheets of 2x8 pink foam (1 1/2 inch thick)
4 sheets of 2x4, 1/2 inch plywood
3 1x6 boards, (8 feet long)

LEGS
4 36 inch pipes, 1/2 diameter, with threaded ends
4 1/2 inch pipe flanges
4 1/2 inch end caps

The plan is to glue the 2x8 foam together with liquid nails, creating the 4x8 top. Then glue the 2x4 plywood, widthwise, to the bottom of the foam, butting them together as I go, to create a 4x8 plywood base. Last, glue the 1x6 boards lengthwise to the 2x4 boards for longitudinal support. I'll glue the two outside 1x6's about 6 inches from the edge. And the third 1x6 will run down the center. For the legs, I'll attach the 1/2 inch flanges to the outside 1x6's (about 2 feet in from the edge), securing with #10 1 1/2 inch wood screws (x4 each). Screw in the 36 inch pipes and attach the end caps. Flip the whole thing over and adjust the level by backing off the thread caps a little (if necessary). The smooth end caps will also allow the layout to slide along the garage floor fairly easy. If I need to relocate the layout, it's made easier by just unscrewing the legs.

Construction is already underway as I just finished gluing the 2 sheets of foam together. I'll post pics when it's done. My big concern is sagging in the middle. If it does sag over time, I'll just add another flange and pipe to the center 1x6.

Either way I'm pretty geeked about finally getting started. [^]

[ARTHILL]

I would look into ways of bracing the legs a bit. They are strong but if a bump large enough to pull a scew takes place, it will be difficult to repair. I have never braced pipe legs, but I would be concerned.

[dgwinup]

If you haven't already started with the plywood, I suggest you line up the 1 x 6 boards and screw the plywood to them first. Screws are MUCH stronger than glue. You can then glue the foam to the plywood.

Otherwise, your plan sounds good. You will love working with the foam.

Darrell, quiet...for now