So, how has this virus affected you.

[riogrande5761]

Track fiddler

Looks like some Fine Carpentry skills as well Rio.  I see those tight 45 joints.  A lot of times that's how I do it too.  I see the one behind the pole.

At least I think that's what you're doing, sneaking the pen or pencil underneath the piece on top before you make the cut so it fits just right?

I have to envy you, I wish I had that kind of room!

TF

The poll has been enclosed in that section - the track will run around it on the outside.

Yes, You guessed it.  for boards that are at an angle, I lay it over the two pieces that it will attached to and draw a pencil line underneath along the edge of the board below!  Then I put it on the mitre saw and line up the laser line with it and cut.  Mostly it works pretty well.

I do with the room was wider so I could have more generous curves, aisle and benchwork but I guess it's all relative.  We can never have enough but it was hard to find a house we could afford in this area with a decent open basement.  The train area room is about 33' long but 15' wide along part of it and widens a bit more near the support pole.  I squeezed in as much running as I could.

 

[maxman]

riogrande5761

for boards that are at an angle, I lay it over the two pieces that it will attached to and draw a pencil line underneath along the edge of the board below! Then I put it on the mitre saw and line up the laser line with it and cut.

I have a little trouble visualizing this.  I assume that you are not making a 90 degree cut when the piece is lined up on the saw.  Are you turning the blade head so the blade lines up with your mark?  If so I'd guess that the board is then positioned so that the narrow side is up and the flat side is against the fence.

If that's all correct, then why didn't I think of that?

Thanks

[richhotrain]

riogrande5761

Nice work, Jim.  

[riogrande5761]

maxman

 

riogrande5761

for boards that are at an angle, I lay it over the two pieces that it will attached to and draw a pencil line underneath along the edge of the board below! Then I put it on the mitre saw and line up the laser line with it and cut. 

I have a little trouble visualizing this.

Look at the top photo in the post above with the poll and there is a loose piece of 1x4 sitting on top of the benchwork to the right.  Now just imagine gently running a pencil on the underside against the board underneath on both ends.  Then turn the board over and cut the board on that line. It will fit in place and be solid after you drive two 2 1/2 inch wood screw in tight at each end (with countersink and pilot hole first of course).

Are you turning the blade head so the blade lines up with your mark?  If so I'd guess that the board is then positioned so that the narrow side is up and the flat side is against the fence.

If that's all correct, then why didn't I think of that?

Thanks

The compound mitre saw can be rotated off 90 degree's in either direction and you can line the laser up with the pencil line and then lock it down.  The cut the board while verticle against the back stop.  After cut it will fit in place.

If you look at the angled 1x4's in the benchwork, that's how all of them were fit and cut.

In this photo, there is a board laid down at an angle that was also marked and cut after the picture was taken:

Here is another angle of the same secction; the yard stick is down so I could measure to make sure it's fitting in the room per the scale drawing.  If I measured the room accurately and drew the layout correctly, it should measure out in real life very close to the drawing.  Pretty much it does:

From this angle you can see that section is together and up on legs now:

The hard angle cuts to make are the very shallow angle cuts; the mitre saw can't rotate far enough to get a shallow cut while against the fense/backstop.  So I have to hold the board carefully at the right angle, vertical, and cut on the line.  An example is the angled board in the picture below on the lower right side:

Since the floor isn't perfectly flat, I have to set the framing up on small blocks of wood to get the corner joints to line up flush.  When I did the last layout, I used a corner framing jig, but I've find if I hold a square piece of wood against the joint while drilling the pilot holes, I can get it the corners together flush and very close to 90 degree.

The rubber mats are for me knees while on the floor drilling counter-sinks and pilot holes and driving wood screws in at joints.

All the framing assembly I have to do on the floor on my knees since I don't have a big flat table or bench.  Well, good news is there is only two more sections to go and hopefully those will be finished this weekend.  Then all the primary benchwork will be up.  There are shelves that the main yard will go above staging along the walls on one side and there is a branchline that will be hanging below the benchwork along the outer edge of part, but that's the extent of there being 2 levels.  I've read a lot of people building 2 or more levels and later saying they prefer single level.  Two levels is a bit beyond my comfort level so I'm doing a partial.  (helix will be on one end and and nolix the rest to bring trains from the bottom back to the top).

[rrinker]

 I need to put in a couple more pieces of trim to finish things off in the basement, and I was wondering how the heck I am going to get the correct angles - then I was looking at my saw and realized it's not just a simple miter saw, it is a compound type, I can angle AND tilt the blade. Doh! The last time I touched the tilt adjustment was when I first got it and put a square up against the blade to make sure it was a true 90 (can;t trust the markings or the little indicator pointer). Since then I've only made straight 90 cuts or in the case of the braces on the legs of my old layout, a simple 45.

                               --Randy

[richhotrain]

rrinker

 I need to put in a couple more pieces of trim to finish things off in the basement, and I was wondering how the heck I am going to get the correct angles - then I was looking at my saw and realized it's not just a simple miter saw, it is a compound type, I can angle AND tilt the blade. Doh! 

Randy, as I am sure that you probably know, there are miter saws and then there are miter saws. 

A compound miter saw is better than a simple miter saw, but a compound sliding miter saw is better than a compound miter saw. The best miter saw of all is a double compound sliding miter saw.

Rich

[BigDaddy]

My next door neighbor is a realtor and he got a call from another realtor that somone is interested in buying in our waterfront community, and they would be willing to let us rent while our new house is under construction.  We were going to fix it up after the move, so the dog couldn't do bad things to the carpet, and then put it on the market.

He came over in gloves and mask for us to sign papers to appoint him our realtor and to have a list price.  We wore masks too. That was weird.

The price he suggested hasn't been affected by the current state of affairs.  Although he did say he has 1/10 the showings he previously had.

His 20 something son and daughter are living at home.  We see the kids with their friends everyday and there is no social distancing.

If we could have settlement, at about the same time for both houses, it would be fantastic, and very helpful to my cash flow.

 

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

BigDaddy

My next door neighbor is a realtor and he got a call from another realtor that somone is interested in buying in our waterfront community, and they would be willing to let us rent while our new house is under construction.  We were going to fix it up after the move, so the dog couldn't do bad things to the carpet, and then put it on the market.

He came over in gloves and mask for us to sign papers to appoint him our realtor and to have a list price.  We wore masks too. That was weird.

The price he suggested hasn't been affected by the current state of affairs.  Although he did say he has 1/10 the showings he previously had.

His 20 something son and daughter are living at home.  We see the kids with their friends everyday and there is no social distancing.

If we could have settlement, at about the same time for both houses, it would be fantastic, and very helpful to my cash flow.

 

 

We have one property on the market now, and are fixing one up to put on the market soon.

The activity and interest in the one on the market has actually picked up recently.

And another party who looked at it a while back is apparently interested in taking another look.

My Realtor says showings are down, but sales and listings are about the same.

The virus is just keeping the "lookie loos" home.

The property we have on the market now is very unique, and in a price range above the median, we knew it might take a while to find the right buyer.

The one we are fixing up is a typical townhouse, we already have several people who want to see it when it is closer to completion. Very likely we can find a buyer without even listing it.

After these two are sold, we have one more rental that still has a tenant, it will go as soon as possible as well.

Being a landlord was a great gig for 25 years, time to do other stuff now.

Sheldon 

[rrinker]

 You're lucky you can do that. Friend of mine is a realtor, unless the property was under agreement prior to March 26, no closings are allowed. So in this state we have people who have moved to their new house but now can;t close on the sale of their old house and will need to pay two mortgages. 

 At the beginning of the year I refinanced, and the ONLY time I saw a person was when the notary came to our office for me to sign the papers that required notary. And she could have easily sat at the far end of the table, more than 6 feet away.

 Glad I got all that out of the way before this all went down. 

                                --Randy

 

[maxman]

riogrande5761

The compound mitre saw can be rotated off 90 degree's in either direction and you can line the laser up with the pencil line and then lock it down.

Okay, thank you.  I believe that I've got it now.  My miter saw doesn't have a laser, but it was free so I can't complain.

Now the only things to remember are which direction the cuts should be made so that one end isn't cut on the wrong side of the board, and which side of the line the cut should be on.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

rrinker

 You're lucky you can do that. Friend of mine is a realtor, unless the property was under agreement prior to March 26, no closings are allowed. So in this state we have people who have moved to their new house but now can;t close on the sale of their old house and will need to pay two mortgages. 

 At the beginning of the year I refinanced, and the ONLY time I saw a person was when the notary came to our office for me to sign the papers that required notary. And she could have easily sat at the far end of the table, more than 6 feet away.

 Glad I got all that out of the way before this all went down. 

                                --Randy

 

 

What is the crazy thinking there? That makes no sense?

And of course not all real eastate transactions involve mortgages......

Sheldon 

[rrinker]

 To discuss that would veer off to that which is forbidden here.

My saw has a laser, and there is a big sticker on the front which shows you which side of the laser line the blade cuts on. Very handy.

                                                  --Randy

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

rrinker

 To discuss that would veer off to that which is forbidden here.

My saw has a laser, and there is a big sticker on the front which shows you which side of the laser line the blade cuts on. Very handy.

                                                  --Randy

 

Agreed.

As to the miter saw conversation, I use a 12" DeWalt double compound miter saw. It is the preferred brand and type of most of the carpenters I know.

Sliding miter saws are fine for trim and cabinet work, but can actually be a little dangerous for framing work. So we want a saw that is fast and accurate for all types of work on a job site.

The large blade provides nearly as much cut depth as most of the sliding saws without the extra complexity or kickback issues.

Here is a picture of a saw like mine, this one belongs to my sometimes business partner, on a job we did last year.

And below it on the floor the greatest portable table saw ever invented.........

We don't have any lazers, but DeWalt does offer them........

Sheldon

[carl425]

rrinker

My saw has a laser, and there is a big sticker on the front which shows you which side of the laser line the blade cuts on. Very handy.

If only I could remember which side of the measuring tape line my pencil was on.

[carl425]

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

It is the preferred brand and type of most of the carpenters I know.

And probably most of the ones you don't know too.

But if you want to save a few bucks, a 10" non-sliding saw is all you'll ever need for MR benchwork.

[Track fiddler]

Ya know, ... All I've got to say is the pictures of the fine benchwork I seen today was very impressive

I'm just a guy with a truck and some tools and a few limbs wearing out

 

 

TF

[hon30critter]

Rio Grande,

The benchwork looks great!

Dave

[richhotrain]

carl425

 

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

It is the preferred brand and type of most of the carpenters I know. 

And probably most of the ones you don't know too.

But if you want to save a few bucks, a 10" non-sliding saw is all you'll ever need for MR benchwork. 

For years, I used a simple, cheap miter box and hand saw to cut angle. When it came time to re-do some trim work after we had a home addition built, I went out and bought an electric miter saw. I really like it but it has its limitations. You can only cut angles one way, and nothing bigger than a 2 x 4 will fit under the blade.

When my son decided to replace carpeting with wood flooring throughout his house, I encouraged him to buy a sliding double compound miter saw. Now, I am so envious that I plan to go out and buy one for myself. By the way, he bought a DeWalt.

Rich

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

richhotrain

 

 

carl425

 

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

It is the preferred brand and type of most of the carpenters I know. 

And probably most of the ones you don't know too.

But if you want to save a few bucks, a 10" non-sliding saw is all you'll ever need for MR benchwork. 

 

 

 

For years, I used a simple, cheap miter box and hand saw to cut angle. When it came time to re-do some trim work after we had a home addition built, I went out and bought an electric miter saw. I really like it but it has its limitations. You can only cut angles one way, and nothing bigger than a 2 x 4 will fit under the blade.

 

When my son decided to replace carpeting with wood flooring throughout his house, I encouraged him to buy a sliding double compound miter saw. Now, I am so envious that I plan to go out and buy one for myself. By the way, he bought a DeWalt.

Rich

 

If I was buying a miter saw just to use in the shop, I would buy the the DeWalt double compound sliding 12" model.

We carry these things to job sites, weight and complexity are factors for us.

To use the sliding saw safely requires locking it for some tasks, and letting it slide for others. 

For these reasons we prefer the non sliding double compound model. It will handle nearly as many tasks (plus, we do lots of stuff that in the owners manual it says "don't do this").

When we need to cut boards wider than the depth of the saw, after starting the cut, we simply lift the saw up some, and then lift the front of the board up into the blade........Don't try this at home, we are trained professionals........

But ultimately, a good 12" double compound saw, sliding or not, is a must have tool.

Sheldon

[richhotrain]

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

But ultimately, a good 12" double compound saw, sliding or not, is a must have tool.

Agreed.

By the way, my simple electric miter saw only has an 8 1/2 inch blade.     

Rich

[mbinsewi]

That's OK Rich, remember that saying about size?   I have a 10".  Makita, but I'm getting a new new one, for finishing our place up north, and after reading Sheldon's post, I know what I'm buying!

Mike.

[richhotrain]

mbinsewi

I have a 10" Makita, but I'm getting a new new one, for finishing our place up north, and after reading Sheldon's post, I know what I'm buying!

Mike. 

Sliding or non-sliding, Mike?

Rich

[mbinsewi]

I haven't decided that yet, probably the non.  I've been pricing them out, not sure.

I wanted to get back up there starting in early May.  We'll see!

Mike.

[richhotrain]

Here is a great explanaion and video of the difference in miter saws.

https://www.thesawguy.com/sliding-vs-non-sliding-miter-saw/

Rich

[MisterBeasley]

The big supermarket in town is taking the Social Distancing thing to kind of an oppressive extreme.  First, they have a Senior Shopping hour at a time when no right-thinking retired person would be out of bed yet.  Then, they have a very low limit on the number of people they'll let in at a time.  Now, they have one-way markers on each aisle, alternating to the East and then West, so it naturally takes longer to shop, while people are waiting outside in the cold for you to finish so they can come in.

Yes, power corrupts, even if your level of power is only a grocery store manager.

[richhotrain]

MisterBeasley

First, they have a Senior Shopping hour at a time when no right-thinking retired person would be out of bed yet.  

As a retiree who gets up around 4 AM, I am offended. Does that make me left-thinking?   

Rich

[BigDaddy]

Rio, how do you calculate the angles of the cuts on the pieces at 5 o'clock?

As the off topic covid thread veers away from meatloaf and on to a model railroading subject 

[rrebell]

rrinker

 I've seen RHPS so many timnes - it's another one of those I cna quote quite a bit of. One of those times, it was the movie for the wekeend in college. They weren't dumb there though - they covered the floor of the auditorium used for movies with heavy plastic. 

I need some masonite to continue my benchwork - I guess I will have to hit Lowes tomorrow. This year, they are closing Sunday for Easter. 

                                  --Randy

 

 

Out where In am, I had to go to HD for my masonite as the stuff at Lowes was vastly inferior, you would think it would be the same, but it was not. Noticed their ply was not as good either as we bought some for building a portable pitchers mound.

[rrebell]

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

 

BigDaddy

My next door neighbor is a realtor and he got a call from another realtor that somone is interested in buying in our waterfront community, and they would be willing to let us rent while our new house is under construction.  We were going to fix it up after the move, so the dog couldn't do bad things to the carpet, and then put it on the market.

He came over in gloves and mask for us to sign papers to appoint him our realtor and to have a list price.  We wore masks too. That was weird.

The price he suggested hasn't been affected by the current state of affairs.  Although he did say he has 1/10 the showings he previously had.

His 20 something son and daughter are living at home.  We see the kids with their friends everyday and there is no social distancing.

If we could have settlement, at about the same time for both houses, it would be fantastic, and very helpful to my cash flow.

 

 

 

 

 

We have one property on the market now, and are fixing one up to put on the market soon.

The activity and interest in the one on the market has actually picked up recently.

And another party who looked at it a while back is apparently interested in taking another look.

My Realtor says showings are down, but sales and listings are about the same.

The virus is just keeping the "lookie loos" home.

The property we have on the market now is very unique, and in a price range above the median, we knew it might take a while to find the right buyer.

The one we are fixing up is a typical townhouse, we already have several people who want to see it when it is closer to completion. Very likely we can find a buyer without even listing it.

After these two are sold, we have one more rental that still has a tenant, it will go as soon as possible as well.

Being a landlord was a great gig for 25 years, time to do other stuff now.

Sheldon 

 

Yeah, I did the landlord thing for 35 years, glad I sold my last property about 3 years ago. Oh the stories I could tell.

[maxman]

BigDaddy

As the off topic covid thread veers away from meatloaf and on to a model railroading subject

They sell a special blade to cut meatloaf.