Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!
Go Big Red!
PA&ERR "If you think you are doing something stupid, you're probably right!"
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
QUOTE: Originally posted by horailfan ...I've been reading How to Build Model Railroad bencwork by Linn Westcott. He recommends moving the legs in away from the edges of the layout and using L girders for the base of the layout above for more stability...
QUOTE: Originally posted by Surfstud31 Ah ha! Jack, I think you hit what I wanted to know. If I am going to be mounting under the table slow-mo machines, etc, I want that 1/4" plywood base for mounting stuff to. That makes alot of sense. Then a 2" layer of foam on top of plywood. Then I will use Woodland Scenics roadbed or AMI. It's all coming together now. Thanx gang for all the great input!
QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer ...I was thinking of just glueing a 4"x4" piece of 1/4" plywood to the bottom of the foam then screwing a tortoise to that . could probably go with a smaller piece of plywood if space is tight , or a larger piece if 2 tortoises are close to each other . i'd love to hear pro and con arguements about this before i start construction (maybe this summer)
QUOTE: Originally posted by horailfan ...should I follow Westcotts advice and move the legs in (basicly a table below the gridwork )or just install them at the corners attaching them directly to the grids?
QUOTE: ..The last layout I built I did put them at the corners but also had a 2x4 running down the middle of a 4x8 section and then attached a 4x6 creating an L (this layout was also grid construction with plywood on top) somewhat of an overkill with all of the 2x4 bracing, I could of danced on that benchwork...
QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker I can't believe how useful latex cauk is in building a layout. I could probably glue the foam to the wood benchwork with it even, guess I'll have to try that next. --Randy
QUOTE: Originally posted by MisterBeasley ......then pile of my wife's big, heavy .. Oh man, I thought I read "big, heavy" something else. Sorry Mr.B, it's past my bed time. Reply Edit tomikawaTT Member sinceFebruary 2005 From: Southwest US 12,914 posts Posted by tomikawaTT on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 1:32 AM One thing no one has mentioned about pure L girder construction is that the edge of the layout doesn't have to be a straight line. By cutting the joist ends to appropriate lengths, the fascia can be bent to represent, for example, the bank of a meandering stream. I didn't quite do that, but i did cut my peninsula corners at 45 degrees, which reduced the 'running into a sharp corner' incidents to zero. As an added bonus, I gained a couple of nice places to mount control panels. Reply rrinker Member sinceFebruary 2002 From: Reading, PA 30,002 posts Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:50 AM I think stability against shaking or rocking are far more important than the ability to stand on the layout. Seeing as how my sections are only 2' wide, I can easily reach anything above the layout without actually standing on it. My legs are probably overkill - 2x3's because Home Depot around here doesn't carry 2x2's (except pressure treated short ones intended for deck railings) and I don't have a table saw to rip down 2x4's. And 2x3's are cheap - I didn't get high quality ones, just studs. I picked the best ones, but they certainly aren't all perfect. Each leg is braced with 1x2's in two directions to the grid. And the legs were attached first with clamps so I could level everything up before screwing them on - my legs are all bolted to the grid, as are the diagonal braces. It's all quite stable, nothing moves when I lean against or try to shake the layout. In my book that makes it plenty good for building a layout on top of. --Randy Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more. Reply Tom Bryant_MR Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Jarrell, Texas 1,114 posts Posted by Tom Bryant_MR on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:54 AM Depending on your situation, here is another technique for legs. Advantages are obvious. I finally got started on my benchwork, courtesy of Don Z. Mine is an around the walls in the garage. I am going to use a mix of contruction techniques as each has it's pro's and con's. I'm using two of the walls, so benchwork in those areas will be attached and cantalevered as in this picture. I have one large free standing island and a section along the garage door (to which I cannot obviously attach to) that will require a different constuction technique than shown here. BTW. I spent a few hours with Don Z the other day. He built the sections you see here along with two more identical ones for the upper deck. Those pocket hole joints disussed in another thread are really strong. The jig from Kreg is worth every penny if you are building a large layout. I got one and did the cantalever supports myself. With the jig it is a snap. Hats off to Don Z [^] Look Ma ... no legs [:)] ... well, okay one, but it gets wacked soon. Tom Reply donhalshanks Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: US 406 posts Posted by donhalshanks on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:06 AM I also followed Wescott's L-girder construction to a tee, and have been very satisfied. Really easy to install risers and roadbed. Can have curved fronts on the layout. Found it stable. I felt it maximized the use of wood effectively. I can see that future changes or modifications very possible. Hal Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:32 AM Tom - that is how much of my new benchwork will be. In the along the wall sections I will run 2x3 from edge of layout to where floor meets wall. This keeps legs out of your way and should provide plenty of strength. I just finished cleaning up the room and now I am prepping it with a light coat of blue paint on the walls (for sky) and super-white on the ceiling for good light reflection. Should have it painted and ready for benchwork this weekend. Getting psyched, it's been 12 years since my last layout and I miss my trains dearly. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 11:01 AM QUOTE: originally posted by Surfstud31...Getting psyched, it's been 12 years since my last layout and I miss my trains dearly. Don't get too excited or too tired, that's when mistakes happen. [:(!] [censored] [banghead] Work safely and keep a first aid kit handy. [B)] Good luck! Reply Edit SMassey Member sinceDecember 2005 From: Spanaway, WA 787 posts Posted by SMassey on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 3:52 PM Here is an example of of my benchwork. It is L girder design 3' x 6' with a 4' x8' table on top. Here is the bench with the table on top just no plywood yet. I built my benchwork to be portable. If you notice the bolts holding the legs to the frame and shelf on the bottom and also I have 4 bolts holding the table to the bench. I did this so I could take the layout to shows or just incase of a future move. Other than that I used drywall screws to assemble the rest of the benchwork and table top. A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life." Reply 12 Subscriber & Member Login Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register Users Online There are no community member online Search the Community ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Model Railroader Newsletter See all Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox! Sign up
......then pile of my wife's big, heavy ..
Tom
QUOTE: originally posted by Surfstud31...Getting psyched, it's been 12 years since my last layout and I miss my trains dearly.
A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."