Legs - I've got em!

All of the legs have been constructed.  Yes, they may look massive but as I explained in an earlier post I had the lumber left over from the benchwork frames and decided to use it.  In addition I had to purchase some 1 x 4's to finish the job.

What's this mess?  It's the mess I need to clear out of my garage so that I can start assembling the benchwork sections.  I'll need a 10' x 12' area with an aisle to get by.  My plan is to clamp the sections together and drill the connecting holes, bolt the sections together, and then drill and install the registration dowels.  Once that is done I will top the sections with 2" foam and then it will be time to start moving the sections into the trainroom!

BTW, it's 7:30am and here in Florida it's already 85 degrees in the shade (my garage).  I work on the railroad in the morning between 6am and 8am before it really gets hot!

Stay tuned for more.

I didn't know you were a

I didn't know you were a 'leg' man.

Lookin good.

I bought you one of these to refresh yourself in the heat.

Enjoy...  

Randy

Randy, I thank you for the cool drink!

And thank you for your kind words!

Welcome To Florida in the Summer

You have something to work for now , NMRA Nat. CONVENTION COMING TO ORLANDO. OPSIG WILL BE LOOKING FOR LAYOUTS TO OPERATE ON.

It is down to six hotels, one is WDW Coranado Springs. Will have 30% discount on Disney tickets. Interesting part is National Train show will be in Convention Center on International Blvd not at WDW. After going to three of these this century that is not big deal. I only went to show on Friday. 

NMRA Convention in Florida

Art,

What year is the convention supposed to come to Florida, and do you know who will be the local hosting organization.  I know for the Atlanta convention this year it was the Piedmont Division in Atlanta.

Nice work Rick

Hi Rick

You will be pleased with the massive legs once you get the layout in place. They will be straight and stronger than you need, no one that had something that was better than necessary ever complained about too much quality as far as I know. They will last just like that big saw in the garage.

Rob

Thanks Rob for your kind

Thanks Rob for your kind words.  I may be also adding shelves to those legs so it will be nice to have the extra strength.

" they may look massive "

  I think they look just right. most layouts look like the legs are too thin. A 2X2 is plenty strong enough but is springy and visually leaves a lot to be desired. Weight in the legs and the benchwork is good in my opinion as it stabilizes the structure against jolts and jostles....DaveBranum

Richlawn RR V2 - Benchwork clamped together

Nothing earth shaking; however, I did get to attach the legs to a couple of sections and clamp together one complete (left) side.  I wanted to check the overall length so I didn't have any nasty surprises when I move the sections into my layout room.  As it turns out I've got 3" to spare on the 12 foot wall which is just what I wanted.  I've got to go purchase some dowel rods to make the alignment pins.  I also need to add diagonal braces to help stabilize the legs.  I must say that seeing these sections together brought a big smile to my face! 

Yup, big

Yup, big smile..

Super lookin benchwork!  Do they have earthquakes in Florida?

Randy

Livin' where the winds blow

Gonna' need'em Rick. Part of life in Florida. Hurricane Strapping  

Thanks for the chuckle Randy!

No earthquakes in Florida that I'm aware of; however, the benchwork is built sturdy to hopefully survive a far worse disaster - a HOUSE MOVE!  Since my last layout is now in a dump somewhere I'm hoping to be able to use some / all of this layout if (heaven forbid!) I have to move again.  I told the better half that the only time I'm ever moving again is when they put me in the ambulance or coroner's wagon...but never save never!

Rick I just noticed your temperature in the garage

I sure hope you have a jacket handy!

Rob in Texas

where it is so hot and dry we have to go to H*~& just to cool off.

Alignment dowels

For alignment pins I just used fairly large nails with holes drilled for a snug fit. Simple, but, It worked.

Ed

Rob in Texas - LOL!

Our daughter used to live in Florida with us and moved out to Texas.  I remember her saying that she didn't think there could be any hotter place in the USA than Florida......until she moved to Texas!

" For alignment pins "

    I just bolt my layout sections together with 1/4 inch carriage bolts and they take care of both alignment and clamping in one operation....DaveBranum

Alignment pins

"IF I ever have to move the layout"

    If you are making it semi permanent and just sectional as insurance against a move you might want to consider adding a thin spacer between the sections before bolting them together. I make the spacer the thickness of a dremel disc then I can just run the rails across the joint and if I ever need to move it I can cut the rails then remove the spacer when bolting it back together. This gives a tight rail joint when re-assembled. If you plan on more than one move I guess you could just add multiple layers of dremel disc thickness and you could pull one out after each move?  :> ) .....DaveBranum

Dave.. GREAT IDEA

That is great thinking Dave!

Alignment pins

Hi Rick

I am cursed with the ability to remember what may be useless bits of information until I need them then they turn into nagging thought fragments for some reason. I believe that The Beer Line project layout ( published by Kalmbach, that other mag that does not seem to measure up to this free one ) was designed with some alignment pins that were used by machinist or pattern makers and they were available at home depot or one of the other big box stores for a rather economical price. When installing them a jig was used so they would all be at the same position on the bench work, which allowed multiple configurations for the same layout. By using these little items they were able to assemble the same layout as an F an L or an island with continuous run capabilities.

Hopefully you would be able to line up the layout with these and then use bolts to secure it as unlike the bolts the steel pins go into steel sockets and are tapered so you just tighten up the bolts and your sections are self aligning.

With the thickness of a cutoff wheel being so small rail joiners alone may be plenty for securing your sections as the tiny gaps would be useful as expansion joints and unlikely to interfere with operation, although a small bit of work with a soldering iron could close them up in a real quick hurry.

I am still looking at houses both plans and already built but so far no soap. I am really enjoying your layout construction and my long distance kibitzing and still not building a layout of my own yet. Thanks to you and Alan LKO for posting all of your great construction picks and topics as it really does me good to follow along. I just wish I could hand you guys tools or something so I could help.

Anyway great posts and thanks for sharing.

Rob in Texas

And the instigator and one of the installers of the air conditioner in the club layout room. What a difference that made.

Alan - rodger that on the

Anything new on the layout room?

I am returning to check on your progress with the new railroad because I am enjoying your work. This internet business is like having a whole bunch of really cool neighbors, that have many of the same interests I do. The other nice thing is when one drops in for a visit it does not inconvenience anyone as if they are busy or it is a bad time they just don't answer back right away.

Rob

...

meh...it is 85 in my apartment this very minute, as it has been the average ambient temperature in here all summer.  I took the "No AC for the summer" challenger...two months down, one to go!!

Yes, Tucson...

Rob, I'm still plugging along.

I hope to be able to post some progress pictures this weekend.  I'm currently in the process of connecting the benchwork sections together temporary in my garage so I can make adjustments.  Thanks for your interest!