Lots of wood working tips to learn from one another here, thanks all.
Having been raised by depression era parents I have been taught to never waste wood. In that endeavor one of the areas that model RRers can capture waste is to use curved plywood scraps left over from subroadbed cuttings. Additionally after making an installation of cantilevered platform supports:
…..there will be 18" X 36" foot ball shaped hunks of 3/4" stacked in the shop.
All one really needs to do is establish one straight edge. Once done, then subsequent table saw cuts and chop saw trimmings can provide you with a supply of short cross members:
upright supports:
Note: Portland feather finish.
Miter glue blocks:
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Because clamping to curved edges can be a bit hairy I simply take a piece of wood with a known straight edge then using a brad nailer, attach it to the curved wood so as to position the scrap for cutting along the fence. All I need is one straight edge then I slice it up to 3 1/2" strips for use where ever; cross members, supports, guessets, whatevers.
Also, for clamping guides, in addition to my 4', 6' & 8' level I use screed bars. Screed bars are available where ever contractors concrete supplies are sold. Typically they are rectangular tubing sold individually or in 2',4',6',8' sets. Screed bars are used to level off a fresh concrete pour by josseling them along side rails in prep for finishing concrete.
Side rails:
We used gauge bars to stake the curved bench work side rails in place then slide a screed bar along the top edge.
Locally screed bars are available at Hollingworth supply in Elsmere, DE.
