ptc
Posts: 16,730 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 15:11:25 GMTJoe Saggese, dennym57, and 2 more like this Post by ptc on Sept 27, 2019 15:11:25 GMTI have built several layouts during the many years I have been part of this hobby. On two occasions, I contracted for the work, one a disaster and the other, a success. The success was achieved as I knew what I wanted, and I supervised the work. 1. Do it yourself. By far the least expensive route and typically the quickest. A visit to your local Home Depot and 2x4's will make a very strong frame for your decking. Some worry about not much carpentry experience in their background, but if I can do it, anybody can. I was 79 when and between Elizabeth and I we did it all.
4. Custom built layout. The builder does it all as part of the entire layout package. If you don’t have the time for new layout construction and a good-sized budget, this is an excellent option. So, what's best for your purposes. Really depends on available time, how much you want to invest, and to a lesser degree, individual Ingenuity. |
twincities
Posts: 264 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 15:19:38 GMT Post by twincities on Sept 27, 2019 15:19:38 GMTvery good advice I second the motion to do your own benchwork |
MichRR714
Posts: 713 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 15:32:34 GMTJoe Saggese likes this Post by MichRR714 on Sept 27, 2019 15:32:34 GMTI built my own benchwork. The wife and I could dance on it |
Joe Saggese
Posts: 2,451 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 15:52:34 GMT Post by Joe Saggese on Sept 27, 2019 15:52:34 GMTI built my bench. It also serves as an air raid shelter. |
rockymountaineer
Posts: 2,377 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 16:09:28 GMTJoe Saggese likes this Post by rockymountaineer on Sept 27, 2019 16:09:28 GMTI posted this photo here on OGF for another reason the other day, but here it is again showing the framework underneath my Dunham Studios layout. No heavy 2x4's or 2x6's here. No traditional open gridwork or L-Girder benchwork either, as is often discussed in model railroad benchwork books and magazines. It's all lightweight framing (gates) using furniture-grade birch plywood, but the design easily supports 1x6 joists that comprise 14 portable platforms. And even more importantly, they easily support my 200lbs of body weight if I need to step up on top to do any maintenance. This is the same technique used to build stage sets that need to be strong yet portable to allow quick movement on/off stage. The beauty of it all in this case is this style of framing allows the entire layout to be easily portable in the event I ever want it moved. (No plans for that in mind, but it's nice knowing it can be done if the need arises!!!) David |
fabforrest
Posts: 1,162 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 16:20:40 GMTJoe Saggese likes this Post by fabforrest on Sept 27, 2019 16:20:40 GMT
Sept 27, 2019 15:52:34 GMT Joe Saggese said: I built my bench. It also serves as an air raid shelter.
Excellent! |
Country Joe
Posts: 9,210 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 16:45:15 GMT Post by Country Joe on Sept 27, 2019 16:45:15 GMTWhile I'm not a particularly skilled carpenter I made my own benchwork for most of the many layouts I've built in my lifetime. Model railroad benchwork requires only minimal carpentry skills. I purchased Sievers benchwork when we lived in a condo. I had no place tobuild my own benchwork and Sievers' Benchwork was a good solution. When we moved to Florida I had a much bigger train room and a garage to work in so I added to the Sievers Benchwork. Kits like Sievers or Mianne are a good alternative for those who don't have the skills, space to work, the tools required, or who may not be physically up to the task of building benchwork. For some hiring a carpenter or having a layout custom built may be the only way for them to have a layout, either because they don't have the time and/or the skills needed to build the layout of their dreams, or they have no interest in the building process and just want a layout. |
Alma and Jupiter Bay Railway - The Road to a Better Tomorrow |
Deleted
Posts: 0 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 17:29:28 GMT Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 17:29:28 GMTWell my layout is now twenty years old. It's a combo of the Lionel layout my father built me when I was five and the rest by my hands using my fathers methods. I can walk on it if the ceiling was tall enough. When I retire/move the next bench work will be by Mianne bench work if they are still around. |
ptc
Posts: 16,730 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 17:38:04 GMTrockymountaineer likes this Post by ptc on Sept 27, 2019 17:38:04 GMTDavid, if I were to engage a layout builder, I would undoubtedly go with Clarke Durham. He is the best of the best and your layout is proof positive. |
laz57
Posts: 3,266 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 20:45:02 GMTJoe Saggese likes this Post by laz57 on Sept 27, 2019 20:45:02 GMT2x4s and homesite plywood for my DIY. Polka dance every Sunday Night on it too. |
Stay frosty my friends, |
ptc
Posts: 16,730 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 21:20:25 GMTlaz57 likes this Post by ptc on Sept 27, 2019 21:20:25 GMTMore like a small army, Laz. |
JKP
Posts: 2,075 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 21:56:45 GMTCountry Joe likes this Post by JKP on Sept 27, 2019 21:56:45 GMTIve had the same basic layout since I started(10 years or so), although I had to take some down and make it smaller due to the utility company needing access . I was a put track down and run trains guy and then I realized I needed a town to go with it |
Joe |
ptc
Posts: 16,730 | Benchwork OptionsSept 27, 2019 22:03:16 GMT Post by ptc on Sept 27, 2019 22:03:16 GMTWith each layout build, you do get better at it. Once you have the space allocated, make a detailed plan and stick to it. I kept my plan for our latest layout and you would be amazed as to how closely the finished product was to it. |
Deleted
Posts: 0 | Benchwork OptionsSept 29, 2019 1:35:14 GMT Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 1:35:14 GMTDavid, that is one sweet build. I will never have to move my layout,(hopefully),yours is a very practical approach. Gary. |
Deleted
Posts: 0 | Benchwork OptionsSept 29, 2019 13:31:15 GMTCountry Joe and Adam like this Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 13:31:15 GMTLots of you have built multiple layout. Besides youthful 4X8 plywood, I have only built one major layout. Luckily, I built it myself with trusty 4X8s and it just keeps on growing. The first design was 2 4X8s then it moved to 4 and then to 8+. It's up to 280 sq. ft. and hopefully done. By doing my own work it made it easy to add on. This is where we are now. |
