The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 2

[ACL1504]

Tom...

I have a solution for the running thread support rod on your upper level.

Go down to a local big box store and get a spray can of clear paint. Gloss, satin or flat does not matter. Clear is clear. Apply vigorously and in several coats.

After that no one will see the rod as it is now clear.

Voila'. Problem solved. Always happy to help. 

See ya
Bob

Or you could get some Ghost Tape, same result.

Jan,

Great idea but I couldn't find any ghost tape. I guess I couldn't see it to buy it.


Tom

[S&S RR]

Tom


I just got caught up with your thread.  WOW - you have been working hard. The LED lighting looks great. I'm getting rid of all the florescent lighting on my layout, too.


To add my two cents to the wood discussion, I would only use 3/4 inch plywood (the stability difference from 1/2 inch is very noticeable. I use the plywood for the top of the benchwork but build the structures on gator board and attach it to the 3/4 inch plywood. To Jeff's point - solve the weight issue by getting it cut to manageable size. I call ahead and Home Depot cuts everything for me before I get there and find out the saw isn't working. No charge.  I used solid number 1 pine for my benchwork structure - I made sure it was in the house for a few weeks before I used it, as was mentioned. And also, made sure it was straight before I used it. The key to keeping things from warping is humidity control - air conditioning to take the moisture out in the summer and humidifier in the winter to add the moisture in the winter (for those of us that have to deal with winter). Be careful that you don't get things to wet when your doing scenery. One final point - use screws and glue not nails to hold everything in place.

[ACL1504]

You'll never hear me say too many pics, keep them coming.

Lynn,

I enjoy posting the pictures of what I've been doing. My picture count on this build, started in December 2013 is now at 3,015 and counting.

So, yes, they will continue.

I appreciate you following along.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom, have you had any problems using 'conventional' lumber (1x4) for benchwork, with Florida humidity causing warping?  I know some people recommend ripping 1x4 out of 3/4" plywood, but that's a lot of extra work and I'm not sure if if the benefit is there.


dave

Dave,

I know you addressed this question to Tom, but I'm going to hijack his thread briefly and give you my two cents.  I strongly considered ripping the 1x4's for my modular layout from sheets of 3/4" plywood.  But, before I bought any plywood, thankfully I read the user reviews.  Almost every type of interior plywood from one of the "big box" lumber yards; regardless of species, birch, oak, etc., was reviewed as having voids in the substrate portions of the sheet.  Once I read the reviews, I decided to go with conventional lumber.
That being said, IMO you have two choices to minimize the issue of warping.  Either pay more and buy top quality lumber from a smaller "mom & pop" yard, or go prepared to spend time sorting through all the stacks of 1x4's regardless of length.  I ended up buying 16' lengths more often than shorter boards.  First, it cost less per foot to buy the 16 footers.  Second, it seemed to me to be easier to find better quality, IMO because the shorter lengths sell better, and thus are more picked over.  I also brought the lumber into the house for a few days before I used it to allow it to acclimate.  I did have a problem with one of my table tops warping.  Two of the 1x4's developed a twist.  I replaced them and changed from 1/4" plywood table tops, chosen to reduce weight, to 1/2" ply.  I also became more vigilant in checking the boards for a "twist".  The boards that showed even a slight twist were used for leg braces rather than the tables themselves.  Thus far, knock on wood, everything is straight and true.
I hope that you will post a thread so we can follow along with your design and construction.

Jerry,

I've never been a stickler for the thread being hijacked. We are here to ask/answer questions and offer opinions

It's all good by me.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I'll add my two cents here as well.  Most of my lumber is ripped 3/4 inch birch plywood from Lowe's.  I really had very few "holes" in substrate.  I have them rip the 4x8 foot sheet in half as I can no longer carry a 4x8 sheet myself.     Of course the saw is broken at Lowe's half the time, so you may have to go back a couple of times.  One time when the Lowe's saw was out of commission, I did get a few plywood panels at a contractor's lumber store which were a bit nicer quality, but cost $12 a sheet more. 


Jeff

Jeff,

I appreciate you adding your thoughts to the subject. Your opinion is always welcome on the thread.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I have a question for Tom.  You may have mentioned it somewhere in the threads, but what type of operating system are you going to use?  Timetable/train order?  Switch lists? Car cards? Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Jeff,

Great question and at this time I have no idea. I'm leaning towards a switch list and or car cards though.

I try to not let Greg run trains at high speeds.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Just my input , I use to use 1/2 and since maturing in the hobby I have learned that 3/4 is much better for everything, also you then only need to buy one length of screws and scrap 3/4 is handy for risers etc.

Lynn,

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Tom

[ACL1504]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

[ReadingBob]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

Sure there is.  From now on Greg can only run Shay's.   

[ACL1504]

Tom


I just got caught up with your thread.  WOW - you have been working hard. The LED lighting looks great. I'm getting rid of all the florescent lighting on my layout, too.


To add my two cents to the wood discussion, I would only use 3/4 inch plywood (the stability difference from 1/2 inch is very noticeable. I use the plywood for the top of the benchwork but build the structures on gator board and attach it to the 3/4 inch plywood. To Jeff's point - solve the weight issue by getting it cut to manageable size. I call ahead and Home Depot cuts everything for me before I get there and find out the saw isn't working. No charge.  I used solid number 1 pine for my benchwork structure - I made sure it was in the house for a few weeks before I used it, as was mentioned. And also, made sure it was straight before I used it. The key to keeping things from warping is humidity control - air conditioning to take the moisture out in the summer and humidifier in the winter to add the moisture in the winter (for those of us that have to deal with winter). Be careful that you don't get things to wet when your doing scenery. One final point - use screws and glue not nails to hold everything in place.

John,

Thank you for checking on the latest updates. Yea, I've been very busy working on the empire. Thanks also for the compliment on the LED lighting.

I still have the  florescent ambient lighting in the upper wall valences. I'm not sure when I'll get around, if ever, to replace them with LED tubes.
Thanks for your comments on the layout bench work wood also.

Tom

[GPdemayo]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

Thank goodness for that small favor.....

[ACL1504]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

Sure there is.  From now on Greg can only run Shay's.   

Bob,

Great idea, Shays are fast. How about just letting him use a Climax loco instead?

Tom

[GPdemayo]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

Sure there is.  From now on Greg can only run Shay's.   

Et Tu Butts.....   It's good to have such great friends.....

[GPdemayo]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

Sure there is.  From now on Greg can only run Shay's.   

Bob,

Great idea, Shays are fast. How about just letting him use a Climax loco instead?

Tom

Careful.....at my age that could be disastrous.....

[jimmillho]

.....Just let someone run trains at light speed end to end?   


Jeff

Et tu Doc.....

Greg,

The Doc has your disease diagnosed, unfortunately there is no known cure.

Tom

Sure there is.  From now on Greg can only run Shay's.   

Bob,

Great idea, Shays are fast. How about just letting him use a Climax loco instead?

Tom

Careful.....at my age that could be disastrous.....

Jim