Benchwork

Discussion in 'General' started by trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017), Mar 22, 2017.

  1. trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017)

    trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017) Passed away September 22, 2017

    Benchwork Question - Is it necessary to put wood (plywood, etc.) down on top of the frame, or are layers of foam panels strong enough without it?
     
  2. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    I will defer to those who have used it regarding the foam as a main structure. My inner engineer says you need something with more torsional rigidity.
     
  3. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    My Zalma Branch is just 2" foam on framework. No problems so far. Very easy to run feeder wires through it.
     
  4. pbender

    pbender Member Frisco.org Supporter

    It depends on the thickness of the foam.

    My Free-moN modules are mostly 2" foam, with about 6" of plywood at each end. They look like this before the fascia goes on:

    [​IMG]

    And this after the fascia are installed:

    [​IMG]

    And these are modules, so they stand up to the rigors of being transported to shows. I have 2 4' sections that have been doing this for 10 years now.

    If I use less than 2" foam, I use a Lunan plywood backer under the foam.

    Paul
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2017
  5. Friscotony

    Friscotony Member

    What we did was to cut plywood for the roadbed on our modules, then fill in the balance of the area with foam.

    Tony L.
     
  6. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett Member

    Brandon, I suggest using at least two inches of foam on top of your framework. On my layout I used 3/4 inch Birch plywood and then two layers of foam, 1 1/4 inches, because I'm building the layout in modules. The modules are held together by two 1/4 inch bolts and two 1/4 inch pins.

    Edit: Added bolts and pins.

    Joe
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2017

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