Benchwork

[Bikerdad]

One caveat on the 4x8. Are you going to have access to all four sides? If not, reaching across 4' of table for scenery work or cleaning up gravity storms (boom, gravity thunder, and then stuff falls down!) can become really old after a very short while.

"Jes sumtin to think aboot."

[Hawks05]

as much as i want to have a tunnel in my first layout i know i won't because i'll have a tough enough time wiring, laying track, and just paying for all the stuff i'll need to get in order to create a decen looking railroad. i'm going to put on thin ply wood with that homestod (sp?) stuff so it will be easier to put on track. as of right now i don't know what type of framework it will be. all i know is its going to be a 4x8 foot layout.

[cp1057]

For a first time builder I think the layout should be level without any grades. There will be enough learning curves to climb as it is. Either a plywood top with scenery built onto it or carved insulation foam would work well.

I've built several layouts and am quite happy with a "water-level" route.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

[IRONROOSTER]

There is no "best" way, it depends on the features of the layout you are buidling. You can use the cookie cutter methods described above. You can stack foam pieces on the plywood for scenery and use foam inclines and roadbed to elevate your track. You can build a grid of 1x4s and use risers to elevate all the track to allow for below track scenery such as rivers, canyons, etc. You can use L girder. This site and others such as www.nmra.org have sections on getting started and building the first layout. I would poke around them. Check out the beginners' books at your local library or hobby shop.
Good Luck
Paul

[dehusman]

The classic od is an "open grid" benchwork. Use 1x4 lumber to build a frame under the edges. Then put 1x4 crossmembers on 16-24" centers.

Use 1/2" ply on the top. If you want to put in a grade, cut the plywood around the area to be raised and then use pieces of 1x4 on end screwed tot he crossmembers to raise/push up the plywood from the bottom.

Dave H.

[Strothers]

Originally posted by masonjar

Do you cover the entire frame with the 3/8" ply, or leave it open? if covered, how do you attach the grades to the table? [:)]

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