Platforms

[Switch Track]

What makes a good platform? I am considering 4' x 4' x.375" plywood. I like the idea of modular layout design. I plan to start with four sections. And what about sections of 3/8" pine wood? Finally what about platform foundation? Would legs or maybe mike crates work best?


Happy New Year,

ST

 

[sparkyftw]

Freemo has a whole set of rules for doing modular stuff. Worth looking into.

As for dimensional lumber, it is more prone to warping and twisting and the like.

As for a foundation, It all depends on how you build the platforms. Using dimension lumber and making an L will give you a very strong leg. Four legs like that and some bracing should be able to hold up anything you want. I built a shelf layout so I don't really know what works best.

 

[UP2CSX]

Milk crates will not work best for legs. You need strong legs, well braced, since you'll be leaning on the layout a lot. One member here has been using plywood ripped to size at the lumber yard. 3/8" plywood is plenty strong enough for a 4x4 table. Building the whole table structure out of plywood, both flat and ripped for the sides and legs, makes sense since plywood is stronger and more dimensionally stable than regular lumber. If you do use lumber, I would pay the small premium and and get fir rather than pine since it tends to be straighter and have few knots.

 

[diburning]

cinder blocks work well

 

[dmeephd]

Foundation and Empire

Sievers Benchwork is to die for; fabulous selection of sizes, machined straight and true, and precise location of bolt-holes and holes for wiring. Prefabbed and predrilled; for all of us who want to be railroad engineers - not carpenters!

I use very few legs; instead I go to Lowes and buy their pine line of unfinished kitchen cabinets. Sink cabinets work great, use the Sievers Risers to attach the Sievers benchwork to the cabinet - no countertop! - and you have a very sturdy base that will hold tons of rolling stock, kits, parts, whatever.

If you need portability, then buy some 4" diameters rubber wheels and put them on the base cabinet bottom. Make sure that the wheels have brakes or locks.

David

 

[Switch Track]

UP2CSX,

Thanks for your advice. I was thinking of narrow strips of lumber as method of extending plywood dimensions. I will avoid milk crates. I am thinking portability, but I'll I have explore other angles.

After surfing the 'net and ogling at extravagant layouts, I am motivated to jump into the deep end...w/o life preservation devices!!! However, I do not want to dip into my children's college funds to fund railroad construction. And I can easily see how a few oil wells might be required to finance constructing model railroads.


Happy New Year,

ST

 

[Switch Track]

dmeephd,

I did take more than a cursory look at Seivers' Website. You're absolutely right: Seivers platforms/foundations are the bomb!!! Also, thanks for the cabinets idea. I will check out this angle.



Happy New Year,

ST

 

[MrTrain]

I made legs from 2x4s and it works well