I have read numerous articles about benchwork construction. All seem to give dimension particulars for the plywood tops, the legs, the braces etc.
Maybe I have missed it but I do not recall too many suggestions as to the type of wood used for the components. (pine, oak, maple, etc)
I am curious to know what you have used. As always, thanks.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
All but one layout to date has been some form of L-girder construction. The exception was a Christmas layout using a 1x3 frame around a piece of 1.5" thick foam.
Cookie cutter L-girder construction in particular has the ability to overcome less than perfect measuring, cutting, and benchwork assembly. I have used the cheapest straight 1x4s and 1x2s I could find at the trash lumber stores (aka Lowe's and Home Depot). I sort through the pile until I find the straight ones. I will take a board with horizontal curves when laid on edge, but twists or horizontal curves in a board laid flat will cause me to reject a board. Depending on where I was at the time, I sometimes spent an hour searching the stacks for the 6-8 boards I needed.
At home, assembly into L-girders puts an end to any further warping because the grains oppose each other. The boards for joists are stored flat on a rack, and seldom warp when selected and stored that way.
The framed foam construction I found to require more care in construction than L-girder. By not building on a level floor, I introduced a slight vertical curve into my frame which the rigidity of the foam preserved quite nicely. I have found the similar issues in box grid framing - my imprecise cuts led to weak joints.
The use of plywood lumber has its pros and cons. If you have the tools, or can somebody to cut it for you at a reasonable price, it yields "boards" much less likely to warp. But gluing L girders or making joints isn't quite as simple because plywood is far worse than lumber for fastening into the ends or edges of a "board".
just my experiences, yours may vary
Fred W
I used a combination of 1x4 poplar and 1/2" birch plywood for the top of the benchwork. As an avid hobbyist woodworker, I decided to upgrade the legs a little bit...they're hard maple. A photo of some of my work:
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
My layout uses classic Westcott L-girder design (all screws up from the bottom) and cookie-cut plywood subgrade (also screwed up from the underside.)
My wood of choice is steel. Specifically, steel studs, in two metal gauges and two sizes. My L-girders (C-girders?) and legs are heavyweight 1.25 by 3.75 inch, I have used lighter 1.25 by 3.75 for joists where strength is required and light 1.25 by 2.25 where it isn't. Risers are shaped from whichever lightweight size is appropriate.
Tools required are simple and inexpensive: small square, tin snips, vice grips, power drill-screwdriver and lots of clamps. Most fastening of stud to stud and plywood to stud has been done with 7/16 framing screws. A few joints, meant to be separated for various reasons, have been secured with bolts and nuts.
My choice has been driven by two facts:
Just my . Feel free to disagree.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck,
Could you post a photo of your benchwork? I'd like to see how you have used the metal studs for your benchwork. Do you combine 2 studs to form a box for longer spans?
Thanks,
Don Z wrote: I used a combination of 1x4 poplar and 1/2" birch plywood for the top of the benchwork. As an avid hobbyist woodworker, I decided to upgrade the legs a little bit...they're hard maple. A photo of some of my work:Don Z.
That's not benchwork that's furniture !
Good looking furniture too !
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Terry,
Thanks for the compliment! I appreciate it very much.
I have always used pine.
Lately, Lowes' cheap stuff is something called whitewood. I used some for trim pieces on a shed. It splits very easily - you need to drill pilot holes near the ends (<12") regardless of the screws you use. It also seems to warp more easily and the edges splinter/fray more. It's only real advantage is that it's cheap, but I don't recommend it.
My current layout is using pine - grade C&better or Select. It costs more at Lowes $7 vs $3 for 1x4 8', but it is a dream to work with compared to whitewood.
I would only use Oak or Maple if my wife let build the layout in the "unused" living room/dining room - more likely that I'll win a lottery even though I didn't buy a ticket
Enjoy
Paul
Paul: I have seen the "attractive" price ads for whitewood. Thanks for the heads-up.
Thanks to all.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Mine was simple and cheap..
stud grade 2x4's for frame and legs 2 bucks and change, x 8
5/8 particle board...(the heavy duty floooring/siding kind) @ 12.98 per sheet x2
1/4 inch fiberboard without holes (like the perforated shop board) 2 @ 6.99
Box of 3/4 drywall screws.....4.98
grass green paint....1/2 gal...6.99
Listening to the old lady complain about me spending money...priceless!!
I, too, used ripped 1X4 to fashion L-girder construction with joists. I chose every piece of clear spruce that I purchased, and then stacked it in my basement for one week to equalize. Fortunately, nothing changed shape noticeably, but I did have to muscle the odd part of an L-girder together a bit to keep the two pieces lined up.
Construction of a bench, or a shelf, can often be much lighter than we estimate, particularly if we will never get up on it to do some work. This applies to the supporting legs, too. Once you have to kneel on it and do any cyclical hand movements, you'll need sturdy stock and sway braces...or it'll all go "keeerack!"
Yes, please...pre-drill. Always. That is an excellent tip.
I used 2x4 stud grade lumber for my (current) 4x8, using the open grid method (16" centers for the crossmembers). I used a sheet of 1/2" B-C plywood. Why did I use such heavy lumber for the framing? Because it was free. If I had to buy the lumber, I probably would have either (A) used 1x4's, or (B) bought 1x8's, and ripped them in half on my table saw, depending on whidh method came out cheaper (and which lumber looked better).
Brad
EMD - Every Model Different
ALCO - Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
CSX - Coal Spilling eXperts
Several months ago I posted a thread, something to the effect "Pine vs. birch or fir for benchwork." The majority consensus was that though birch or fir are more sturdy than pine, there's probably no advantage in expansion/contraction issues, they're a bit heavier than pine, and, in the end the cost increase isn't justified. I plan (who knows when I'll start?) to use dimensional lumber for the L-girder frame, and plywood (prob. 1/2 inch given numerous other discussions on this forum) for the base.
Jim
tomikawaTT wrote: My layout uses classic Westcott L-girder design (all screws up from the bottom) and cookie-cut plywood subgrade (also screwed up from the underside.)My wood of choice is steel. Specifically, steel studs, in two metal gauges and two sizes. My L-girders (C-girders?) and legs are heavyweight 1.25 by 3.75 inch, I have used lighter 1.25 by 3.75 for joists where strength is required and light 1.25 by 2.25 where it isn't. Risers are shaped from whichever lightweight size is appropriate.Tools required are simple and inexpensive: small square, tin snips, vice grips, power drill-screwdriver and lots of clamps. Most fastening of stud to stud and plywood to stud has been done with 7/16 framing screws. A few joints, meant to be separated for various reasons, have been secured with bolts and nuts.My choice has been driven by two facts:Here in the dessicated desert, heat and lack of humidity does strange things to wood - even wood which was perfectly straight when brought into the oven layout room. I have yet to have a steel stud warp, twist or assume strange compound curves.My own lack of skill as a carpenter. I'm slightly better as a tin bender, and the material is far more forgiving.Just my . Feel free to disagree.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Do you grind/file off the edges? Coat them with rubber/tape? Sounds like a great idea...'cept the edges would be sharp and prone to cut (clumsy) me....
Brian
I use soft pine. For my n-scale stuff that is mostly 1x2 and 1x3 (I glue 2 1x2s for 2x2 legs). It takes self-tapping drywall screws well and is inexpensive. The down side is knots in the wood that can make it hard to screw and can weaken the benchwork if not dealt with properly.
I am working on refurbishing a table saw. Once that is done I will rip the pieces out of a 2x6 or 2x8 since it takes forever to find good boards with minimal warping or bowing at my local discount lumber store.
I built the supports for my mini using L-girder with 1/2" birch plywood and for my larger layout using L-girder and 3/4" pine plywood. I don't like the 1/2", its harder to work with when joining sections. With the 3/4" I can use a 1.25" drywall screw for joints. WIth the 1/2" I have to pre-tap and use 3/4" wood screws.
I will also not EVER again put all my joists on 12" centers as I did with my mini.. just a little too small to fit my power screw-driver in. I will go to 16" min centers on the larger ones.
Chris
Hi,
Building a layout is a labor of love, and I confess that I find as much (more?) fun in the building process than when its finished - although I argue that a layout is never really finished.
I'm 63, and have built several layouts, the first being when I was 12 or so. The HO layout I built in the mid-70s had benchwork that would probably hold up a car or two, as the legs were all 2x6s and 3/4 inch ply was the main surface.
My latest layout, now with about 50% scenery complete, uses 2x2 legs 2 ft apart (42 in total), with 1x2 bracing. This lumber is your basic pine from Home Depot/Lowes, with the only criteria is that it was straight and relatively knot free. The top - using the "cookie cutter" process, is 1/2 inch plywood. I used 1/4 for the support for trackage above/below the basic level of the layout. The good news here is that it is easy to do grades and separations, but the bad news is that the 1/2 inch ply carries sound too well. A future layout will use 5/8 ply. In summary, the cheapest lumber - if you are selective - will work just great!
I covered the entire layout with 1/8 inch sheet cork (Home Depot/Lowes), which was glued down and makes a nice base for industry/yard tracks. The mainline has the usual cork roadbed which gives the main a distinct look (vs. yard/industry trackage).
Two more comments while I am rattling on........
- Cordless drills (small 8 or 12 V work great) & sheetrock screws are a Godsend for the layout builder!!! I highly recommend two drills, one with a 1/8 inch bit for pre drilling, and the other with a screw bit. I would not consider using nails, as they are too permanent and the hammering jars the layout.
- Do yourself a real favor, make the layout strong enough so you can walk on it.
Most of all, ENJOY !!!!!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
TwinDaddy66 wrote:Mine was simple and cheap..stud grade 2x4's for frame and legs 2 bucks and change, x 85/8 particle board...(the heavy duty floooring/siding kind) @ 12.98 per sheet x21/4 inch fiberboard without holes (like the perforated shop board) 2 @ 6.99Box of 3/4 drywall screws.....4.98grass green paint....1/2 gal...6.99Listening to the old lady complain about me spending money...priceless!!
TwinDaddy.
A nice looking Layout and a warm looking basement.
A note of caution for you. I cannot tell how close the gas water heater and gas furnace are to that plastic vapour barrier over your insulation, but unless the water heater is a sealed combustion chamber type, it MAY be a possible fire hazard. Check on the rating plates of both units to see what the clearance to combustibles is. The problem is, that if you get a downdraft or a blocked chimney, the flame COULD roll out around the bottom of the water heater and possibly ignite the plastic. The furnace is not so critical as the burners are at the front but check for clearances to the rear anyway.
How do I know. 41 Years experience as a Serviceman and Service Supervisor with a large Gas Company. I have seen it happen.
Blue Flamer.
Mobilman, I think you will find, if I understand your statement, that a mere 1/8" of added wood thickness in your cookie-cutter subroadbed is not going to solve your sound complaints. In fact, adding another 1/2" is perhaps not going to do much good. Sound will be much more efficiently absorbed if you employ the technique of dual density materials stacked atop one another. Sound waves are propagated by refraction along or out of a material. We know that they can be reflected, too, which accounts for echos. Certain materials are more suited, or more efficient at such propogation, dependent upon the frequency. So, a way to solve this efficiency problem is to butt any given material with another density, such as foam or cork, or homasote. The dual density layers do a marvellous job of quelling the sound waves as they migrate along the two materials in my experience.
Just my .
I use 3/4 birch plywood (8 or 9 ply) frequently on sale at $25 per sheet from HD and cover it with 1/2 soundboard $9 at HD. Soundboard is quiet and after I paint it with 3 coats of latex paint it looks great and had excellent nail holding properties. I use 4 OZ of tightbond per sheet to laminate the plywood and soundboard.
Benchwork itself is 100% modular 1X4 grid with 2X2 legs with 5/16 carriagebolts set in T nuts for adjustment. Masonite backdrops and facia boards.
My 2 cents, never worth a nickle more. . .
Joe
Your comments are appreciated.
The carrying of unwanted sound is really not that huge and very tolerable. However, on the next one, I will take more precautions. In addition to your thoughts on the subject, what I really should have centered on is the fact that I used track nails, which reach into the plywood and carry the sound. Given I already have two different layers (1/8 cork over 1/2 ply), I suspect the nails are more the culprit.
The layout is 12x15, three levels, located in a former bedroom (kids are longgggggg gone!) and was initiated 10 years ago. One thing I have done that I highly recommend to anyone building a layout is to keep a journal/listing of the "goods & bads, what worked and did not, what they would do again, and what they would change". My list is about 3 pages long, and thankfully the good far outweighs the not so good.
Thanks again,
I used pine 1X3's and 1X4's that I hand selected from Manard's. Bench work consists of modules constructed from 1X4's with cross joists 16" on centers, glued and screwed with dry wall screws. Legs are bolted on "L" girders and made from 1X3 and 1X4 with levelers on each leg. Top is 3/8 plywood screwed and glued. All covered with 2" closed cell foam board. I can walk on it anywhere at 235 #.
I predrilled the joists and the ends for wiring. Have 350' of HO code 100 in 14 signal blocks, mounted on Midwest cork roadbed. Used latex caulk to fasten cork and track. Not ballasted yet, but trains operate quietly. Half my engines have sound and I need to turn down volume on most of them. I can hear wheel noise from the ones without sound when they are close to me, but I need to listen closely when sound units are going at the same time. I like to hear the metal wheels on the joints!
Of course my hearing is not the best anymore!! (They say it's about the 2nd thing to go when you get older!!)
I use Digitrax and and feeders are #18 cables to each block. Now working on scenery. Made backdrop from 1X2's covered with 1/8" Masonite.
All this worked out so well that if I started on a new layout tomorrow, I think I would do it the same way again.
My main tip is "Glue adds enormous strength to wood construction"
-Bill