Constructing a big bridge

I started with a lightweight plywood frame.

For the end plates, I wanted to make tapered keys that would be self seating and included the landform contour already. I wanted the plates on each side of the joint to match perfectly, so I turned to my laser again...

I cut 1/4" plywood layers an laminated them together.

The end plate on the staging side includes an adjustable segment so I can change the spacing, easily, if needed later.

The final product:

And that was Fun!

...now on to the last 20ft of benchwork! A narrow shelf above my office desk space.

Looks good Bill!

As a general rule I avoid lift outs and swing gates but I understand that sometimes they are a necessary evil and "you gotta do what ya gotta do". You've done a fine job of engineering such a large one and the use of the laser is genius. I envy you and Michael Rose both, having those things! Maybe someday for me!!

Michael

Liftout

While I find the workmanship and development of the liftout really great, from MY OWN point of view it will not work as intended because of it's size (and later weight). To move it is a 2 person operation. No way around it. I think it will go on and off several times, and then permanently off (and out of the way). I would have made some kind of arrangement with Da Boss to add another bookcase and reduce the liftout to about half it's size (around 40"), still large but more manageable. But I have been wrong before. Just ask MY wife!. Jose.

"and reduce the liftout to about half it's size"

   Yeah, woulda made it a lot easier to handle. I built about a 5 footer for my N layout to span a door and half a closet, it was worth closing the other half of the closet to keep the lift out from being even longer. I forget why this one needed to be so long? .....DaveB 

well...

If she wants the space open, she will help me move it.

@Michael

I appreciate your encouragement - thanks!

It might be long but does not

It might be long but does not have to be heavy. It appears that the plan was very well done and the span should not be that heavy. A 15 foot canoe is often designed to be carried by one person over difficult terrain. This might not be that tough for one person in reasonable health and with normal strength to handle. The keys that lock it together are pure genius.

Oh you guys and those lasers. Its enough to make you want to throw out your block plane, files and sand paper.

Really nice job. Now if you go back to one of Ricks posts from the past he showed everyone how to build a really nice gate. It would be interesting if you could find a way to combine the two so you would have easy access for persons and when something that needed the entire door way open showed up you could also do that as well.

Rob in Texas

Weight....

...So I got out my little mailing scale that tops out a 10 lbs and weighed it.

9lbs 3oz so far.

In it's current state, it's very, very, easy to lift out, and locking it in is a no effort at all. If you're close, it lines itself up.

Once it is sceniced, it will obviously be heavier, (I doubt it will hit 20lbs), However, it will be much more cumbersome and we fully expect it to be handled by two sets of hands.

We'll see how it goes.

block plane?? 

WERE ARE THE 2 X 4s

Love it this is great example of less is better. Bet the lift out can be handled with one hand. 

Love it, Bill

You've given me an idea I will use (and wish I would have used) for future modules I build.  Now I just need the laser...

There is no need to build a battleship...

Most model RR's are completely overbuilt from a structural standpoint. Bill's design is elegant in its simplicity, and it resolves his political issue. It's construction forms a box beam, which is very rigid. His track plan on the liftout is very simple; it appears there will not be a lot of scenic elements or structures to add weight. What's not to like?

His keying concept is brilliant. The only thing I would suggest would have been cutting the vertical end joints at opposite 88 or 89 degree angles so the entire liftout became became a keystone. That would eliminate potential binding during removal and replacement.

Jerry

End plate Keystone

Yup - Keystone.

This is the end plate profile showing how it keys together. no binding

Nice!

Bill,

Nice work on the lift out. I used to fly RC planes, we had a saying "Make it strong and build in lightness", much easier than adding lightness after the fact.  Laser cutters are sweet!  I got side tracked yesterday installing a sound decoder in my RS3, I still need to finish that email for new decals.  On its way, hopefully today......or tomorrow....

"the use of the laser"

A laser can be handy but it's not necessary to have one when building a lift out. Guys have been building them for decades using hand or power saws. I usually cut the key plates with a bandsaw from 3/4 plywood.. Here's a small   seat  for a narrow door lift out, the spring clamps hold the removable section down and also feed it power..DaveB

Absolutely

Absolutely True. And I'm not even suggesting that the laser is the only way to go. But I do note that I don't have a band saw.

Re: well....

If she wants the space open, she will help me move it.

HA HA HA!!!. You still believe in pregnant birds?. Or she will help you move it.... to the garage. Jose.

Ok Ok...

She did pre-approve the plan with the understanding that she may have to assist in that maneuver.

Besides, she likes to be 'involved'.

Next step...

Built up the track level area on the lift out using the same light plywood and box construction.

Rigidity of the liftout increased significantly. I can push quite hard on it now and it doesn't flex at all.

Current weight: 11.6 Lbs !

Nice work!

Very nice work Bill!  I'm impressed by your craftsmanship.

Very nice, I am impressed by

Very nice, I am impressed by your craftsmanship as well. Your design is also out standing. Just think what you could have done if you had a band saw, instead of that ol lazer. Really nice layout concept, particularly since the house size changed a bit between plan and build if I remember correctly.

Rob in Texas

That looks too pretty

to cover with scenery!!  I never fret much over benchwork because I figure what the hey, it's going to be covered up anyway.  You put me to shame Bill. I have paint splatters and a "gorilla glue foam" all over the place. You could stain that and it would look like a piece of furniture! Or maybe that's the plan? Is it to be snenicked or what?

Michael

It will be sceniced...

Boy, thanks for the compliments everyone. wow. < blush>

It's very nice plywood to work with, but I assure you, it will get gooped up before I am done!

what you could have done if you had a band saw

Haha, I had the table fall off my bandsaw today when cutting a piece of curved plywood, that probably wouldn't happen with a laser?  :> )  Can't believe the crappy metal Delta used on the trunnions, looks like some kind of brittle pot metal ...DaveB

inspirational!