I am thinking of building a new layout. Is there any cheaper wood option for support than 2 by 4 s?
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I've seen people experiment with PVC pipes for legs, metal 2x4's for framing and extruded foam for layout surface. The foam can get expensive. Don't know how the PVC and Metal 2x4's stack up against wood price-wise.
As far as the top goes smooth sided OSB is cheaper, flatter, lighter, and doesn't warp like plywood.
2 x 4 stud grade lumber is relatively cheap but 2 x 4s are overkill. Don't be afraid to spend money on your bench work. L-girder bench work is the way to go using 1 x 4s and 1 x 2s.
I used 2 x 6's cut lengthwise (at no extra charge by my local independent lumber yard - i hate the big boxes) into 2 x 3's; very strong and cost less than 2 x 4's.
jackson
Originally Posted by DennisB:
L-girder bench work is the way to go using 1 x 4s and 1 x 2s.
YES! this is absolutely this is the best way to build model railroad benchwork. Even for O scale, 2x4 and larger lumber is overkill.
L-girders are good, however they still can sag if they are not supported with legs spaced close together. Many, many years ago I used a pair of 9 foot l-girders glued and screwed together for an HO layout and I placed legs a few feet in from the ends. I should have used a pair of legs in the middle of the girder. Despite the strength of the l-girder assembly, they still sagged quite a bit in the middle.
Mike A.
I made our own frame work with plywood. Its actually for a friend. The plywood is ripped into 3 and 2 inch widths, then glued and nailed to form a L. I did use some 1 by 4 pine for edges also. Here are a few photos of it in progress. Our own layout is framed with 1 by 3s and pink foam over the top of the frame.
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A good introduction to the many possible ways to build bench work is covered in this book by Kalmbach; L-girder, open grid, around the walls and etc. Also has material on backdrops, lift outs and using foam.
Scotie
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If you can get your hands on a pneumatic nailer like the one above it will become your best friend when constructing your bench work. I love mine and it makes the job go so much faster and easier.
Originally Posted by wild mary:
If you can get your hands on a pneumatic nailer like the one above it will become your best friend when constructing your bench work. I love mine and it makes the job go so much faster and easier.
He is a little hard worker. I put 1 nail in each board to hold in place, give him the gun and off to town he goes. I just need to listen for when he runs out of nails, nothing like trying to figure out where he ran out at.
Originally Posted by davidbross:
I am thinking of building a new layout. Is there any cheaper wood option for support than 2 by 4 s?
A lot depends on the overall size and shape of your intended layout plan. A smaller flat-top layout might be built on secondhand doors which can sometimes be obtained for free. That's about as cheap as you could get.
With the exception of my 1/2" thick plywood table top, 90% of my lumber has come from dumpsters at new home sites. So 1x4 and 2x4 have worked and the price was just right.
However, beware of climbing into a dumpster at dusk where someone has toss an uneaten sandwich. I was in the middle of tossing out some nice lumber when a raccoon decided to visit also.
