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Benchwork Phase I complete - pics
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Thanks for the input, gang. Keep it coming. A few specific responses for you: <br /> <br />Trevor - the layout is 50" high, so it's actually not so bad. I have a chair where I cut off most of the legs and mounted it to casters, so I can sit in it upright, roll around under there, and am at just about the right height to easily work on the bottom side of the layout. DEFINITELY beats laying on your back, kneeling or squatting. <br /> <br />Trainnut: No, not too strong, and Yeah, I know that's the standard advice., A reminder certainly never hurts.. But I actually made a conscious decision to handle it differently. Because I wanted the studs visible during benchwork... <br /> <br />Here's the scoop: <br /> <br />On the infrastructure side of things: Wiring is actually all in place, though I guess it's not visible in the pics. One 20A circuit comes into the room feeding 12 outlets. Entire circuit is on a switch (i.e. I can 'shut the whole thing down" with one flip) and the first outlet on the circuit is a GFI, protecting everything downstream. There are 6 outlets clustered in the "control room' area most of the equipment (DCC system, computer, DC power supplies, etc.) will go. the others are scattered around (2 on each wall), though the reality is, I won't much use those once construction is complete... <br /> <br />Two more circuits run throughout the ceiling with multiple junction boxes, to be tapped into for lighting. Again, each is on one switch (high wattage dimmer). Two circuits so one is 'daytime' and one is blue lights for 'nighttime'. The actual lighting goes in next, before 'topping' the benchwork, track, scenery, etc. <br /> <br />Now for the "fit and finish" element... I actually considered and decided not to do that "first"... For these reasons: <br /> <br />1) Bear in mind, this is not a multipurpose room. It doesn't double as den, guest room or anything else. So the only 'finish' necessary is that for the trainset and me, I could care less if it has full floor-to-ceiling drywall... Because... <br /> <br />2) I have always preferred to be able to attach my layouts directly to the studs. No drywall, no "stud finder" no hoping you really got a good 'grip' into it. <br /> <br />3) The backdrop will go in next, floor-to-ceiling, Everything below the layout will be skirted, so not visible. Visually, the walls will be "finished". <br /> <br />4) The ceiling is problematic (discussed above, won't waste space to repeat)... whatever I do I'll do before scenery and track. I've always found the "stuff will fall" thing to be exaggerated: I've had a layout in the basement for years, never had a finished ceiling, and never much had a problem with excessive "dust and stuff" coming down...
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