QUOTE: I'm considering Sievers Benchwork. Are they worth the cost?
QUOTE: ....Atlas code 100 and all Atlas #6 Custom-Line turnouts......... Should I go with the two Atlas products?
QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER Life is too short to do the unfun things you can avoid....... ......I will say though that the carpentry skills required here are not that difficult. Also, a radial arm saw or table saw is not required, though it does make it easier.
QUOTE: Originally posted by sav336 David, I too am stepping from design to construction. Benchwork was a question for me as past layouts were always 4x8 sheet or shelf type. Being midly of experienced with wood work by doing my own renovations, repairs, etc., around the house, I didn't have an issue with cutting boards (though I loathe woodworking, not good at it...). I bought "Basic model railroad benchwork" by Jeff Wilson for ideas. Great book to get started with. After a few bathroom sessions with the book, I was ready to get materials. So I picked up the materials on Thursday after work, took Friday off because I have to work Saturday, and started my bench work at about 9 AM. By 1:30, I had 3 sections built, 2 2x8 ft and one corner piece 2 ft on ends and 4 ft on both back sides. Cost of materials was 66.00 or so including Tee Nuts and adjustable feet, and 5# of screws and a bottle of glue. I thought it would take all day to build this bench work, and was really suprized at how quickly it went. So much so, that I ended up going back to the lumber shop and picking up a coupl of 4X8 sheets of 2" foam for the top. ( I omitted plywood on the top because I spaced my "joists" at 12 inches. Just for kicks, I stacked a few boxes of misc iron pipe fittings, about 70 # worth right at center span of my 8 foot sections, and there was no noticable deflection anywhere! The benchwork process isn't as bad as I though, I guess the really important part is having a well though out plan of all your parts and dimensions, and then the usual measure twice, cut once routine... As far as the track work is concerned, I don't have anything bad to say about the Atlas stuff. I ALWAYS used it in the past. Although, this time around, I'm using Peco products, simply because I like the look of their turnouts much more than Atlas's. The insulated frog turnout has a very appealing look to in, especially at the frog. Let us know which way you go with the benchwork! And Welome to our forum!