Nailing and gluing is a great way to build a solid open grid structure, sort of the ladder looking portion of the layout. The plywood top could be attached that way too....very solid with no screw holes to fill.
Just screw the assembly to the shelf brackets or legs if you want to move the sections later.
- Douglas
ATLANTIC CENTRAL dry_heat I believe he is just using brads, don't know what size. They just have to hold things together long enough for the glue to dry. There are may right ways, that one certainly works. With 15 gauge trim nailers, and 18 gauge Brad nailers, the line between trim nail and brad is blurry. The larger 15 gauge nails range from 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" in length, the 18 gauge brad nailers go up to 2-1/8" in length....... Sheldon
dry_heat I believe he is just using brads, don't know what size. They just have to hold things together long enough for the glue to dry. There are may right ways, that one certainly works.
I believe he is just using brads, don't know what size. They just have to hold things together long enough for the glue to dry. There are may right ways, that one certainly works.
With 15 gauge trim nailers, and 18 gauge Brad nailers, the line between trim nail and brad is blurry.
The larger 15 gauge nails range from 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" in length, the 18 gauge brad nailers go up to 2-1/8" in length.......
Sheldon
Looking at the photo BigDaddyHenry posted, the magazine of the nail gun appears to be loaded with 2" finish nails, maybe a little larger.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
If you only put 2 or 3 small nails/brads in to keep things square and then put in screws, it should come apart quite easily once the screws have been removed. Glue should not be needed that way.
ANd if you don't think glue and nail construction is tough enough - many of those MR layouts get moved around quite a bit, both in their offices (which is why they almsot always put wheels on everything) and also to train shows for exhibition. They are able to withstand being taken apart, piled in a van, hauled somewhere, set up then all in reverse to set it back up again in the MR offices.
It sure goes together a lot faster - putting all those support blocks on my uprights is taking a lot longer than if I had a nail gun. In addition to cutting them all out (easy to do - stop clamped on my saw, chop chop chop), I drill each one, then I have to glue it and clamp it in place so it doesn't spin while driving the screw in. Even with a quick release clamp - in the time it takes me to predrill the holes, I could have them nailed on, even if I still used the clamp to hold each one to double check the measurement. With a nail gun, I couls just set a line with my laser level, apply glue, hold the block in place, and pop 2 nails in it.
That would need a bit more than a small brad nailer, to nail the faces of 2 pieces of 2x4 together. Screwing the uprights into the wall studs is still the better way to attach those.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
BigDaddy mbinsewi I use nail guns, where can I see what he's using? I have everything from rough framing guns (16d nails) to finish guns, including staple guns. That's why I ask, because there are a lot of options. I don't know that there is a free video but Steve O but consider this an advertisement for MRVP or delete it but don't send me into probation\ I considered posting that Randy was getting warm, with an answer to my question, and adding one of those medical pictures of people shot with nail guns and saying I need something smaller. But Steve asked me to play nice in the diner.
mbinsewi I use nail guns, where can I see what he's using? I have everything from rough framing guns (16d nails) to finish guns, including staple guns.
That's why I ask, because there are a lot of options. I don't know that there is a free video but Steve O but consider this an advertisement for MRVP or delete it but don't send me into probation\
I considered posting that Randy was getting warm, with an answer to my question, and adding one of those medical pictures of people shot with nail guns and saying I need something smaller. But Steve asked me to play nice in the diner.
I saw the Canadian Canyon layout in person when I toured the Kalmbach offices in December, 2018.
The benchwork for that layout is incredible. The fit and finish of everything is very professional looking. Impressive.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have never used a nail gun to build the primary benchwork framing.
But I always use one to install Homabed roadbed. A brad nailer (18 gauge nails) to be specific.
And, I have used both the brad nailer and the larger trim nailer (15 gauge nails) for various other things in the layout building process.
And then there is the 16 gauge crown stapler, great for thin materials.
And I also have a little baby guy, known as a pin nailer. It shoots 23 gauge nails.
He's probably using a finish nailer with nails comparable to an 8d nail, since he's nailing together 1x lumber. If you were hand nailing something built from 1x lumber, you'd use an 8d or maybe a 6d nail.
Typically, nail gun nails are a bit thinner (wire gauge?) than the hammer driven counterparts.
I forgot when they started this series. I could back in the archives, and see what I can find out, if it's mentioned at all in the article.
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewiI use nail guns, where can I see what he's using? I have everything from rough framing guns (16d nails) to finish guns, including staple guns.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddyHe makes a lot of use out it, building benchwork. Does anyone know what size nails he is shooting?
I use nail guns, where can I see what he's using? I have everything from rough framing guns (16d nails) to finish guns, including staple guns.
BUT, I also agree with using screws for structual things.
You know what REMOVES a layout faster than it goes up?
A Sawzall.
I used to belong to a club, as much overkill as I've seen here for benchwork - I don't think any of it comes close to what was built for that club. Standing and climbing on it wasn't even a worthy test - you could hold a dance on top of this layout.
Well, the landlord thought he had us over a barrel and tripled the rent. Nope, we elected not to renew the lease, and out came the Sawzalls, and the whole thing came down and disappeared in a week.
My last layout came apart in easily handled sections. Which then sat in my new basement for 4 years gathering dust. I ended up tossing it all. The new layout is permanently attached. Mostly screwed to the walls, but many of the screws are hidden by other parts added on top.
The glue is what really holds it together. If I was going to do L girder, I was going to buy a small nail fun and use it to assemble the L girders, much quicker than drilling holes for screws. I might still do it for attaching the plywood ribs. Or the backdrop - construction adhesive and then a couple of brads in each stud to hold the hardboard on, there will be nothing really to patch over before painting, unlike with a screw.
I saved my L-girder for 16 years, then threw it and my control panel away. Two years later I got into model railroading again.
This will be my last layout. After I'm gone it's the sawzall and the dumpster.
Staying together is good, but when it came time to dismantle my layout, it needed to come apart. It was very easy because there were no nails or glue. I simply backed out the screw. Otherwise get out the sledge hammer and reciprocating saw.
I am able to re-use most of my old layout while building the present one because I didn't use glue and nails.
Well, food for thought anyway.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
He glues and nails, so it's not coming apart. I may use ripped plywood, like Randy. I'm not sure screws would hold butt joint with plywood?
Probably goes faster but I'd think screws would hold better. Nails can pull out.
Personally I would avoid nails when building benchwork. It's also a heck of a lot easier to take benchwork appart by backing out the screws with a drill driver in reverse. I found it VERY handy when I had to break down my last layout, no claw hammer or crow bar needed, most materials re-usable.
I knew a guy who build an elaborate layout in his basement in Indiana and used a nail gun to fasten it to the wall. I was told later it started coming off the wall. Not good.
He makes a lot of use out it, building benchwork. Does anyone know what size nails he is shooting?Thanks in advance.