Benchwork and roadbed
boxfile benchwork
How would you design benchwork for a boxfile? It doesn't have to be a microlayout, though connecting modules would be difficult to connect adequately. I can't make any sense out of any articles I have on file from British magazines, which simply seem to say that the builder just glued a sheet of MDF to the bottom of the box and just strengthened the sides with a thinner sheet.
Foam benchwork
I'm about to start on an HO layout.I figure it's about time since I'm turning 71 this month. If I ever hope to get something going I'd better start soon!
I'm considering foam on top of plywood as a base. How thick of a layer of foam does one need to model the Midwest?
What TYPE of foam is recommended? I've seen polystyrene at Menard's. Anu problem with it other than using adequate ventilation when cutting with a hot wire?
Thanks, John
Cork for yard ???
I'm using Midwest cork roadbed on my ho layout for my main mounted on 1/2" plywood, got a lot of it around, but what should I use in my yards and passing sidings? I'm thinking n scale cork for the passing sidings? Should I use cork in the yards or mount track to the plywood? Also what thicknesses should I get if I should do sheet cork and where's a good place to get it?
Atlas Pier Set modeling question
Hey guys I am to a point in the layout where I don't know how to hide the pier set that I used to traverse up to second level. I want to somehow make it look like a hill or something but I seriously lack in the artistic ability. I would much rather run them around the layout LOL. Any help and pictures would be great. Thanks Keith
Drilling pink foam
Hi folks,
I'm using 2" extruded foam as my bench work. What kind of drill bit can I use to make the small holes for my track feeders?
Thanks, Scott
Turnout control on the RMR
Unfortunately some of my Micro Engineering turnouts have turned out to be less than reliable when thrown by hand, so I decided to try some Bullfrog mechanisms instead. Yesterday I made one Bullfrog unit, and made a recessed panel for five turnout controls. I'm quite pleased with the result, although this means a lot more work. One down - a lot more to go...
Has anybody else had problems with the ME turnouts? Of the last batch of 6 I bought, the spring mechanism only worked on 2 of them. Poor quality control?
Looking for benchwork ideas on multi-deck peninsulas
I have a 3 level multi-deck layout currently in process. I have 2 walls that I have the first level peninsulas installed. Either was done the same way as I learned different configurations from the first one to the second one. To set the stage, the one I just built will have a couple industries on it that will require the benchwork to be more thought out for the top level so I don't have supports in the way. I've learned with this layout that its like a game of chess, I have to keep thinking ahead of my next move or install.
Hollow Core Door Extension
I am scaling by dream layout down from 4x8 to one that would fit on a hollow core door, because it may need to be portable. The door I am looking at is 6' 8" by 36". I would really like to add 7" to the width, making it 6' 8" by 3' 7". My idea would be to stick a piece of pink or blue foam insulation 6' 8" by 7" down the side of the door in the front, where the track plan is flat. To keep the foam from falling, I was considering attaching a sill plate underneath the whole door and foam of ¼ underlayment p
4 x 8 Table Dynamics
I have built two 4 x 8 layouts in the past using 1/2 inch plywood and using the tried and true methods of framing and cross members as depicted in railroad magazines and never had a problem. I am planning another one and woke up in the middle of the night with a concern. The legs are attached, not to the outside corners, but to two cross members. My thought is that all the weight of the table, and Hydrocal mountains, is concentrated on the four points of the top of the legs, or more precisely, on the two cross members.
HELP! Cork Roadbed *Increasing* Train Noise
Hey guys,
I've just begun laying the roadbed and trackwork for a small HO scale switching layout, and although not new to the hobby (mostly been weathering and detailing rolling stock) - this is my first layout in a long time.
Here is the strange dillema I am facing:
>> Posts index
Navigation
Journals/Blogs
Recent Blog posts: