Well, I went to lowes today for some stuff and I looked at the lumber. 2x4x8 are $2.62 and 1x4x8 are $6.82 each what do you guys use for your layout? That's quite the difference if you building a good size layout? Thinking of 12x20 and was wondering what to use? Or rip 3/4 plywood? Dennis
Hi Dennis,
I used 1x4's L-girder construction for the joists and 2x2's for the legs. When you get your lumber from Home Depot or Lowes make sure you get pieces that are straight, because a lot of them are warped.
Here is the link to my layout construction where I go into detail on the construction of the bench work for my layout.
http://www.modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=1811.0
Dennis
I used 2x4 for exactly the same reason about 1/3 the cost (I bought the #1 Pine 2x4's for the new section for 1.89 at Menards). The 1x4 L girder makes nice clean looking benchwork but I never could justify the cost. My 2x4 benchwork is supporting 3400 lbs of plaster and has no issues holding me when I climb around on it. I started with a 3/4 inch plywood top. I cut holes when I want the landforms lower and add pink styrofoam to go up now. In the past the larger mountains were made with a cardboard mesh and plaster.
I make my own 1x4 using 3/4 plywood,,,,, very cost effective, stable, and straight!
Dennis,
My local Lowe's has the absolute worst 2x4's I have ever seen. On my last visit I must have picked through thirty or more of their more expensive ones to get two that are straight with no warping or twisting so I could use them for 2x2 legs. I find their 1x4's are less expensive per foot and better quality if you buy the sixteen footers. I cut them to shorter lengths in the parking lot with my battery powered circular saw to make it easier to get them home. Bob is on the money, if you can accurately rip 3/4 plywood sheets into 1x4's it does cost less. I am building my layout as individual modules so weight is a factor for me.
I'm with Steve, 1x4 L Girder on 2x2 posts.
dave
Like Bob C., I rip 3/4 in plywood into 1x4s and 1x2s for L girders. I invert the L girders. Cut 2x2s to use to attach the 1x4s as cross members. I do this as it's easier for me as a lone wolf modeler to build the benchwork myself. I use 2x4s (searching through a large pile at Lowe's for a straight one) for the legs.
Jeff
Steve I'm about half way through you build WOW!!! Dennis
Thank you, You guys are asset to this hobby. Dennis
For you guys who do ripped-down plywood: How do you do this? Seems to me A LOT of work to rip plywood that way. Is there some particular tool or set-up you do to make this feasible?
dave
If Lowe's timber is so crap why doesn't everyone shop at a timber merchant?
Quote from: mark dalrymple on December 02, 2019, 01:48:26 PM
If Lowe's timber is so crap why doesn't everyone shop at a timber merchant?
Those are pretty scarce in the US these days!
dave
Quote from: deemery on December 02, 2019, 02:20:14 PM
Quote from: mark dalrymple on December 02, 2019, 01:48:26 PM
If Lowe's timber is so crap why doesn't everyone shop at a timber merchant?
Those are pretty scarce in the US these days!
dave
They sure are - I have found that the quality of the lumber at Mernards is much better than HomeDepot and Lowes. We have all three within a mile of one another. I still go to our local lumber yard when I have big projects.
Hi guy's, I found HD has better lumber then Lowes. And other lumber yards just don't exist around the two big box stores. At least in my area I found one but it's way to far to make a run. Dennis
Mark, I'm not sure if there's a timber merchant in the state's ? Dennis
84 Lumber is basically a "timber merchant" in the USA. It is not found everywhere though.
Often there is a local lumber (what we call it in the USA) supplier in most cities. It may not be well known as they don't advertise heavily and may not have "retail friendly" prices and quantities.
Jaime
Jaime, I found some but the closet is in Mass and New York :( Dennis
Quote from: deemery on December 02, 2019, 01:14:07 PM
For you guys who do ripped-down plywood: How do you do this? Seems to me A LOT of work to rip plywood that way. Is there some particular tool or set-up you do to make this feasible?
dave
Dave, if you have a table saw it is pretty easy. I also use my tracksaw which is a glorified skillsaw with a guide. If you are doing lots of 3/4" x 4" strips, a track saw or skill saw conversion is a good investment. I use my track saw for breaking down sheet goods and it certainly saves the back and divorce issues when I get my wife to help me on out feeding the tablesaw!!
Wow! There are oodles of them In NZ!
Cheers, mark.
To answer Dave's question about the plywood sheets. I have the Lowe's (or the local lumber company) rip them in half lengthwise first. I'm to old to lift a 4' x 8' sheet myself. This size is relatively easy to feed into the table saw. Lowe's plywood (I use the birch veneer) is much better quality than their stick lumber. Their saw is often out of commission, however. I then go the the local company. The quality is a bit better but the price is much higher. I think $10 a sheet the last time I was there a couple of years ago.
Jeff
I agree with the birch plywood, very cost effective in making 1 x 4s. I use a Kreg rip guide on my circular saw with a fine tooth blade. Its easier for me to rip the sheet this way.
Quote from: DennisBourey on December 02, 2019, 09:27:16 PM
Jaime, I found some but the closet is in Mass and New York :( Dennis
Goose Bay Lumber! https://goosebaylumber.net They're just east of Concord. Don't know how their prices are, though.
dave
I have been following along on this discussion and thought I would add my 2 cents, again. If you are going to use the plywood strip method (nothing at all wrong with it) but make sure you use exterior grade plywood. We tend to get things wet when we add the scenery and interior grade (water soluble glue is used to bond the plywood) can be very problematic.
Quote from: mark dalrymple on December 03, 2019, 03:13:06 AM
Wow! There are oodles of them In NZ!
Cheers, mark.
Mark
When I was working on my addition to the layout this summer I noticed that the trim wood and moldings that I bought had "made in New Zealand" stickers on them. It amazes me that you can ship a piece of wood all the way from New Zealand and still be cost competitive.
WOW!!!! Thanks guys. Dave I will check them out thanks...Dennis
A 2x4 is more wood than you need for most model RR benchwork. Installing building foundations, wiring, switch machines and landforms often require working under the layout, and I've found extra wood is more likely to get in my way. If most of a section of layout will be on a plywood tabletop, the size of the framework may not matter as much.
I used 2 1x4's for the main L-girders and 2x2's for the legs (2 of which extend up to support the central backdrop), but otherwise I'm only 1x2's throughout. I am careful to buy the better grades of wood and to examine for warpage before I purchase. My layout is also in a climate controlled environment in a warm climate, so I may not be subject to some of the expansion problems some others face. I'm a big fan of homasote and, generally, don't even support it with plywood. I just space risers out every foot or so...my scenery is lightweight foam and/or cast foam rocks. The only plywood I use is very slim and used for riverbeds, etc. and is well supported by 1x2 crossbeams beneath...I understand these are "flimsy" choices but so far, so good.
John
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on December 03, 2019, 07:38:37 AM
To answer Dave's question about the plywood sheets. I have the Lowe's (or the local lumber company) rip them in half lengthwise first. I'm to old to lift a 4' x 8' sheet myself. This size is relatively easy to feed into the table saw. Lowe's plywood (I use the birch veneer) is much better quality than their stick lumber. Their saw is often out of commission, however. I then go the the local company. The quality is a bit better but the price is much higher. I think $10 a sheet the last time I was there a couple of years ago.
Jeff
Jeff,
Thanks for the tip regarding getting the sheets ripped in half. I just picked up a sheet of 3/4" plywood from Lowe's and having it ripped lengthwise made it very easy to manage. I feel like kicking myself for never having thought of this myself.