Reply to "The best gauge of wire to use ?"

One cannot err by using too large a gauge [within reason], but one can by using too small a wire, and the penalty is poor performance or a rewiring.

I for one do not subscribe to the theory of using smaller gauge drops.  I want full power to each block.  In fact, I run 14ga from control panel directly to each block.  For common, I use a bare 12ga loop bus with frequent drops.