FYI Bench work

[claycts]

Bench work Observations: This is HO scale
1. Tools I am using are, Air nailer (2” Finish Nails) Air Nailer #2 #6 Common nails. WAS suing Loc-tite Glue (JUNK never dries). Went back to Liquid nails for projects.
2. The screws are dry wall 1.5 “ for risers, joists etc.
3. Material: 1x4, 1x3, 1x2, 2x2(legs) #2 pine
4. Type of bench, boxed, “L” girder and wall braced.
5. Top is ½” OSB with CORK
6. Foam will be used in large flat areas (Loctite glue is NOT junk on foam works great)

Here are the TESTS that got me to this point in construction.
1. Found that 1x4 was an overkill for joist but they are CHEAPER than 1x3 in my area.
2. Legs are 2x2 by 48” with “X” brace and angel braces per book Basic Model Railroad Bench work by Jeff Wilson.
3. The “L” girder is 1x4 with 1x2 flange Air Nailed and glued
4. The spacing of the joist has been a topics, 1x3 on 16” centers using ½” OSB as table has a ZERO deflection with a 15# bowling ball.
5. 1” foam Fractured with the 16” space and the load
6. 2” foam did not move
7. 1” foam on 12” space deflected .125 “ (1/8”)
8. Space between the “L” girder legs are up to 13’-0” with no problem
9. Space between the Framed bench legs is 6’ (due to area in question)

Now the big question HOW HIGH SHOULD MY BENCHWORK BE!
1. The method used for this project was my eye level (62”) minus the view of the layout I wanted that set the HIGHEST top of rail at 62” and the lowest top of rail at 51”.
2. The size of the phase one is 22’x18’
3. The size of phase 2 is 48’x 22’
4. The size of phase 3 is 12’x 22’
5. Operators are all adults over 48” tall
6. Access to Phase one is a ROLL UNDER (chair that rolls UNDER the duck under) reason is 2 folks are 83 and 84 years old the other kids are all over 65.

Observations during construction:
1. Measure twice cut once
2. Today’s lumber is CRAP, took 3 hours to find enough that was CLOSE to straight.
3. A good level, builders square and framing square area a must.
4. Thank god for laser chop saws and air nailers along with power screwdrivers
I will be posting construction pictures as I gets going.
Thanks to Randy R, Chip and our UKGUY for the help in getting this off the ground.
George Pavlisko

[Leon Silverman]

Have the tallest of your group (regardless of age) sit in the chair you are going to use for a roll under. Measure his height in the chair and add 2 inches (in case he happens to have a thick wallet in his back pocket. This should be your minimum bench height since the "kids" might have to use that chair later.