flyboy2610
Loveably weird
I decided to build a foam lined engine cradle. I used the dimensions from my Athearn Genesis Big Boy to design it. I highly doubt I will ever have a piece of rolling stock longer than that!
I have some egg crate foam from an RC transmitter case I no longer use, and thought that would be ideal for lining the cradle. The foam would hold the engine securely, but not be so tight as to damage it. I bought a 6" 1x6 for the cradle itself, and did some hen scratchin' to come up with a plan. As it turned out, the 1x6 (actual dimension 3/4" x 5-1/2" inch) was the perfect size for building this! The foam is 2" thick, leaving 1-1/2" between the foam. this will be perfect for securely holding an engine without damage.
I cut out the pieces using my power miter saw. One of the ends got cut 1/8" too short because I cut on the wrong side of the line.
Here is the cradle mocked up. the parts are just standing there, nothing is fastened together. I noticed that the other end came out just a bit short as well, so what you are looking at here will actually be the bottom of the cradle. This way the top edges will be flush, and the boo-boo's won't be as noticeable.
I drew some lines and marks to indicate where to drill pilot holes for the screws. The cross marks are where the holes will be drilled. There will be a screw in each corner, plus three more along the bottom and one more on each end.
When drilling pilot holes for screws, drill the hole in the outer piece the diameter of the threads. I(f the hole is drilled the diameter of the screws shank, you will never really get the screw tight. It is the head that really holds the two pieces together.
My preferred screw for projects like this is a fine thread drywall screw. They hold very well, and have less chance of splitting the piece they are screwed into. I like to use a screw that is twice as long as the top piece. In this case the top piece is 3/4" thick, so a 1-1/2" screw is what I would use. I still have a bunch of these from when I was building my benchwork.
Here are the sides with the screws positioned in their holes. I glued the sides to the ends with Titebond yellow carpenters glue, and then screwed in the screws.
Here it is glued up and screwed up, in more ways than one!
While I was installing the screw for one of the top corners, I sort of went too fast and it split the wood!
I opened up the split with my fingers, put some thin CA in the split, and clamped it. When the CA cures, that should hold it pretty well. I'll let this dry a couple of hours, then put the bottom in.
I have some egg crate foam from an RC transmitter case I no longer use, and thought that would be ideal for lining the cradle. The foam would hold the engine securely, but not be so tight as to damage it. I bought a 6" 1x6 for the cradle itself, and did some hen scratchin' to come up with a plan. As it turned out, the 1x6 (actual dimension 3/4" x 5-1/2" inch) was the perfect size for building this! The foam is 2" thick, leaving 1-1/2" between the foam. this will be perfect for securely holding an engine without damage.
I cut out the pieces using my power miter saw. One of the ends got cut 1/8" too short because I cut on the wrong side of the line.
Here is the cradle mocked up. the parts are just standing there, nothing is fastened together. I noticed that the other end came out just a bit short as well, so what you are looking at here will actually be the bottom of the cradle. This way the top edges will be flush, and the boo-boo's won't be as noticeable.
I drew some lines and marks to indicate where to drill pilot holes for the screws. The cross marks are where the holes will be drilled. There will be a screw in each corner, plus three more along the bottom and one more on each end.
When drilling pilot holes for screws, drill the hole in the outer piece the diameter of the threads. I(f the hole is drilled the diameter of the screws shank, you will never really get the screw tight. It is the head that really holds the two pieces together.
My preferred screw for projects like this is a fine thread drywall screw. They hold very well, and have less chance of splitting the piece they are screwed into. I like to use a screw that is twice as long as the top piece. In this case the top piece is 3/4" thick, so a 1-1/2" screw is what I would use. I still have a bunch of these from when I was building my benchwork.
Here are the sides with the screws positioned in their holes. I glued the sides to the ends with Titebond yellow carpenters glue, and then screwed in the screws.
Here it is glued up and screwed up, in more ways than one!
While I was installing the screw for one of the top corners, I sort of went too fast and it split the wood!
I opened up the split with my fingers, put some thin CA in the split, and clamped it. When the CA cures, that should hold it pretty well. I'll let this dry a couple of hours, then put the bottom in.