Most of the layouts here in KC are built using ripped plywood and it has proven to be very stable and easy to work with. Drywall screws are used for assembly. Most importantly, it is a lot cheaper than high quality pine strip wood.
Keith, what type of 3/4" plywood do you use? The local Big Orange box store had three varieties of them, and all were more expensive, after ripping the 4'x8's, than the 1"x3"s. Though, they're still probably better for the reasons you gave. Am I looking for the wrong wood or am I in the wrong store? My father was a carpenter for many years, but consider me a notch above a noob.
First open grid benchwork frame section completed. (4'x8'). Made a few mistakes during my learning curve, but nothing major. Most of the remaining sections should be narrower and will use 2x2 legs vs the 2x4s in the larger section. Need to find a supplier of reasonably priced foam sheets.
Craig, I ask for insulation foam that is damaged, you can get a price discount because of it. You can use caulking to glue the pieces back together if needed. Joe
Progress, not perfection, seems to be my mantra, Craig. Keep working and keep sharing the results. Looking forward to seeing future examples. Best Regards,
Btw... enjoyed your impromptu slide presentation at the Frisco Mini convention last Saturday, (I think it was yours). You and Keith R. are to be commended for a job well done in such a short time filling in for Pat.
5 bench frames/tables so far, though the last two built today still need cross braces for the legs. Several more to go. Don't know why one rotated and haven't figured out how to right it.
Craig, I scanned thru your build thread looking at the photos of your layout progress. Great job with your bench work, you have got a lot done. What are the dimensions of your layout and do you have a drawing? Joe
The basement is a rectangle shaped room with a 2-car garage sized portion removed from the south east corner. This leaves room for my layout of roughly... Length: 42' west wall Length: 24' section southeast end, 18' section northeast end Width: 16' north wall Width: 8' south wall I dont have good drawings for it, yet. In general, Seligman with its A&O junction will be along the west wall. A generic yard/staging area will be on the north wall. There will be a loop around the whole layout for "run thru's/continuous running" whatever you call it. The idea is to be able to have some "operations events" occasionally, with the ability to "just run trains/loops" when the mood strikes. E.g. For a loop run... a southbound train would leave the generic yard, run around the room once, then enter Seligman before running around the room again before returning to the yard. Operations could consist of building/classifying trains in the generic yard, road switching around the layout at various towns/businesses and A&O system (small) operations. I have much more to learn regarding operations. The main thing is for my grandchildren and their parents to be able to have fun together with it and Frisco . org folks sometimes.
Having fun is the important part to me. So many folks spend so much time fretting over details they sometimes forget that the fun, is a completely necessary part of this. Go for it Craig!!
I spent Labor Day weekend with my folks. Back to the layout. Finished adding the cross braces to two benches today. Getting close to halfway with the bench frames, though all will need adjustable feet.
Craig, I bet it smells like pine wood central!!! Love that smell, it reminds me of Colorado and New Mexico, the pines blowing in the wind. Joe