I've been working on the railroad, all the live long day!

Thanks Chris,

Sievers Benchwork is designed to have the top surface sit on top the rails of the sides, and be flush with the facing. A fascia would need to be added to the facing boards of the table to hide the separate top from the benchwork. At this point, I'm undecided between 3/4" Birch for the top and then using hi-density foam board. Birch is nice to work with, but adds tremendous weight. Foam board is great for its light weight, however, I'm afraid it will not hold up.

Traditionally I really like stain. I thought about stained benchwork, but a fascia that is either green like that that matches Cypress trees here in Texas, or a lighter tan, that would vary from the stain, and blend the table top. I don't know if contrast is the right thing to do, or let it flow into the table. Every layout I've seen, the fascia contrasts to establish a fixed, recognizable edge.

I can stain. It's the varnish I can't do. The fumes get to me and burn my lungs. There are a lot of pieces to do. I'm trying to find someone to do the job for me, but dang it's hard to find a business that does wood staining. Go figure.

Anyones ideas or input is welcome. I haven't unpacked the boxes yet because I don't know what to do. This is unique for me because when the Brown Santa or the USPS guy drops off a package, I tear into it. I'm worse than a kid getting a BB gun at Christmas.

 

Manny, Use MINWAX water based wood stain .. then Varathane Polyurethane water based Satin.
I just completed a project and they are a very good combination ... AND NO FUMES!
In the past I have been skeptical of water based stains and such believing that they were not as good as oil based.
I have to admit that I was wrong.

 

Just unpacked the bench work. Too cool. I'm a lil' wheezy right now from some small sawdust. Yuck. Anyways... 48" height, which I need due to me being so large and having a bad back. Main section for San Antonio yard is 15.5' long x 22" wide. The short section is 40" long and 8" wide. The triangle will connect the two legs.

I looked at some stains like Sherrel stated this morning. Because it is pine, I have to pre-stain treat the wood, even with a water base stain, or the grain will lift and uneven staining will occur. That requires some sanding which I can't do. I may be able to use 0000 steel wool, which I can deal with. I have been shopping around for folks to do the work for me. So far about $250.00 is the lowest. So I'm debating. $250.00 can buy me some rail or other materials needed.

Here are pics of the bench work pieces. Good stuff. Mitered legs, holes for wiring, etc. Nice stuff. Roosevelt approves.

 

What is the spacing of the grids?
I would think that 1/2 inch plywood would be ample for the top.

With the MINWAX stain you wipe it on with a cloth - not brush. Should not raise the grain.
Steel wool would work very nicely.

 

Spacing of the grids is 12" I believe. I'm undecided on either plywood or 2" foam with a fascia board that meets the foam and is attached to the bench work fascia.

As for the stain, I went to Minwax's web-site and they said that the pine should be pre-stained to avoid the lifting. I'm just reporting what I read is all. I may do this job after all and save me the money.

 

12 inch spacing? Why not get c/d 1/4" plywood screwed to the cross pieces (it'll be enough to make it all rigid) and then glued-down foam over that? The 1/4" would give support for any switch machines and anything else you may want to support from under the layout.

Facia can wait until you get the terrain figured out, then you cut to match hills, valleys, etc.

 

Yes, the fascia will wait until my terrain is all figured out. You hit the nail on the head.

As for the surface, I'm still unsure. Your idea of 1/4 Birch and then foam board sounds interesting.

 

Oh my goodness ... If your grid is only 12 inches or so ... Quarter inch plywood is plenty enough if you use the foam board for your track. I would consider any type wood except pine. I have not seen any quarter inch ply that was not warped to some extent in a long time unless it is A-A grade cabinet type.

 

Jim will be happy. I'm assembling the first of three sections to my layout. This area will be for the San Antonio Yard, Lone Star Beer Brewery, Union Stock Yard, and some small industries against a backdrop of 1900 San Antonio. I'll have pics of the bench work up in a few...

 

All finished. An "L" shape with a 80" spur, and 22"x16' area for the engine facility, brewery, stock yard, and leaving town. Pics in a few. I'm tired. I hurt my knee.