Benchwork Question

[rrinker]

Take a look at what I'm currently working on, it's on my web site listed below. The overall size is 8x12, but it's not one big table. Each section where the track goes is only 2 feet across and is easily reached. Even if you can get along every side of a 6x8 table, you'll never be able to reach all the way into it. That's fine if all the track stays near the outside edges, but then you have a huge wasted space. If you have the room, for the same 2 sheets of plywood or whatever (I used foam) you will have to buy to completely cover the 6x8 area, you can make the 8x12.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

6 X 8 will be fine. Just don't put anything in the middle which needs constant maintenance. I would suggest splicing the two parts 2 X 8 and 4 X 8 sheets together so the edges are mechanically joined. When you need to reach to the full depth of 36 inches, use a stool to stand on to extend your reach.

[IRONROOSTER]

The table should work fine as 6x8. I would use screws instead of nails for the top, they hold better and the table doesn't need all the pounding. If you do use nails pre drill the holes just a little smaller than the nail.

For a table this size you will need access on all four sides. Try to keep your track no more than 2 feet from the edge and turnouts no more than 18".

An alternative arrangement is to build two tables 2x8 foot . Set them 2 feet apart and fill in the ends with 2x2ft sections (or 1x2ft for easier duckunder). this gives you a 6x8 layout with a 2x4 center access hole. The layout can then go against a wall and in a corner.

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I would go atleast 5 foot of width to install 30 in turns if the layout is accessible from both sides then you will have no problem with being able to work on the inner parts of the layout. My old layout was in a u shape the right side was allmost 36 feet in lenght and 6 foot wide it had access from either side and had no problems with the middle area of the layout or reaching in to work on things..Terry

[NYCentral1]

Well, I want to be able to put something close to a 30" curve on this table (the table will be part of a larger U shaped layout). It will be accessible from both sides. What about a 8x5 ft. table then? Do you think that would work better?

[dehusman]

A 6 ft wide table would be very hard to work on. It is difficult for people to reach and work over about 30" .

I would not reccommend going to 6x8. Use the extra 2x8 to build an addition such as the mine addition in the last couple MR magazines.

Dave H.

[NYCentral1]

I got the MR Model Trains Step by Step Mag. with the DVD, and I like that basic benchwork they use for it (and for the Turtle Creek Central). I would like to build something simple like that to start out with, but I'm wondering if this mod. would work.

The table dimensions are 4x8, but what if I made it 6x8? What if I made the 47" width pieces 71" instead? The table would still be 8 ft. long, but then It could be 6 ft. wide. Then I could nail a 4x8 piece of wood on top with a 2x8 piece.

This would be correct, right?