Ogden & Cache Valley, Part II

[Jim Donovan]

Some amazing work going one here. Wow.

jim

[Bernd]

Wow, some nice, neat bench work. I'm impressed.

Bernd

[Zephyrus52246]

I rip all my benchwork (1x4s with 1x2s for L girder) from 3/4 in plywood on the table saw as most dimensional lumber is to "curvy".  I do use dimensional 2x4 and 1x2 lumber carefully picked from the pile.   You're moving much more quickly than I would be.  Good work.

Jeff

[Onewolf]

I rip all my benchwork (1x4s with 1x2s for L girder) from 3/4 in plywood on the table saw as most dimensional lumber is to "curvy".  I do use dimensional 2x4 and 1x2 lumber carefully picked from the pile.   You're moving much more quickly than I would be.  Good work.

Jeff

I have over 450 linear feet of benchwork to build. I did a quick calculation of the cost/time to create 1x4 and 1x3 lumber for the benchwork using sanded plywood and it was prohibitively expensive in $ and time.

I did spend some time yesterday ripping my sketchy 1x3s so they are actually a consistent 2.5" wide. I did about 10 of them and it didn't take long at all.



Working on the upper level benchwork and screen walls that support the outside edge this weekend.

Here you can see the blocking I had to add where the screen walls run parallel to the floor trusses but don't align with the truss.  2x4 over 2 of the trusses and 2x4 between the trusses as a mount point.





From inside the center platform

[Onewolf]

I finished building/installing the screen wall components that support the outer edge of the upper level 1x3 benchwork.  The next step is to install the 1/4" Luan plywood to the outside of the screen walls to create the "room within a room" for the center platform.

[Onewolf]

I installed the 1/4" Luan plywood to the upper level screen walls. I will use a hand sander to give them a very light sanding to knock off any sawing residue, caulk the seams/screw holes, and then paint them the room wall color.

The center platform 'room' is effectively 20ft x 17ft.

The next step will be to start on the middle level benchwork. I will fabricate 2x2 angle iron into 24" support beams for use around the center platform stud walls and I will make small 5" shelf track supports and use 16" Closetmaid like shelf brackets to support the benchwork around the outside walls.






Looking up into the center platform



The inside of the screen walls will have 1/8" masonite installed and then have the backdrop applied to the masonite.





Eventually I will build a backdrop across the top of the upper return loop (and helix) which will screen the view from the center platform.

[Onewolf]

I have been slowed down by real work (we are in release crunch mode) and getting the middle level brackets prepped for installation. First I was delayed because I was waiting for Ospho (can't find it local) and for new drill bits (I needed to drill a bunch of holes in the steel brackets.  I have now fabricated all 23 steel brackets, but now the weather has not cooperated for a couple weeks to apply the Ospho and to spray paint the brackets.

I did install the 5/8" plywood around the lower level where the main division yard and passenger terminal/station/service will be located.  And around the lower level center platform which will be mostly industrial facilities.

I found that I have to use the chop saw outside or it will set off the smoke alarm in the basement.



Support brackets cut into 24" sections.



With the front bottom corners cut off (to avoid lobomotizing anyone who peers under the middle level)





Applying Ospho (which subsequently got rain blown on and will be redone.



I installed 1/4" Luan plywood around the bottom of these walls. Next I will sand/caulk and then paint to match the room walls.

[Onewolf]

Installing the 5/8" plywood around the lower level.

After installing the middle level benchwork I will install 1/2" rigid foam over the 5/8" plywood. On the previous layout I used 1/2" Homasote, but I found I had to spend a lot of time patching/smoothing the homasote. That won't be a problem with the foam, but the foam is susceptible to dents/dings when stuff is dropped on it. (And elbows as well).









After I install the purple 1/2" foam I will paint it in order to cover up the purpleness.  Gray for yard/service areas and dark brown for industrial areas.



In my spare time I have been adding sound decoders to some of my locomotives, like this Athearn Veranda Gas Turbine.  My layout will be modeling 1957 so both Gen1 slab side and Gen2 Veranda Gas Turbines are plausible.  Gen3 "Big Blow" turbines were not delivered until 1958 so I don't need to buy any of those expensive Scale Trains Big Blow Turbines. 

[Rick]

Each update gets more impressive than the previous ones.
I'm in awe of your woodworking and cabinetry skills.
You have spare time?   

[friscomike]

Howdy Doug,

I just read your thread. Wow!  Your carpentry and cabinet skills are amazing.  The house is beautiful too and looks quite functional.  I'm anxiously waiting for the next post.

Have fun,
mike

[Jerry]

This is so impressive the wood working is done so well.

Jerry

[Philip]

Great house and great layout!

[Onewolf]

I have been in release crunch mode with real work for the last couple of weeks so I haven't spent as much time as I would like working on the layout. I did finally have a couple of nice days weather wise that allowed me to apply Ospho to the middle level steel support brackets and to spray paint them flat black. I installed them this afternoon. Next I will cut/place 5/8" plywood on the brackets and then 1/2" rigid foam on top of the plywood.

[ACL1504]

Doug,

This is fantastic and looks much bigger than the Sanford layout.

Keep up the great work and we all look forward to the next update, real work load permitting.

As Rick said, it does get more impressive with each update.

Tom 

[GPdemayo]

That's quite a pile of lumber Doug, a shame you're not just around the corner anymore, but we'll all follow your progress here....