That does look like a handy tool!
Mark Boyce posted:That does look like a handy tool!
I think it is. I used to cut the pegboard and it zipped through that like butter. The reason I bought it was to cut the access openings in the benchwork. It has a cutting depth of 0.75", so it should work. It's small and maneuverable.
George
Updated 7/20/2017:
We've been in a logjam for awhile here regarding lighting the train room and workshop. The components have been chosen. A parts list is being generated. I have procured a sample 5000K light bulb for evaluation, with a 4100K bulb on its way. However, the first choice electrician is incredibly backed-up with work; I'm looking at a 3 month delay with no promise of an actual installation date. Therefore, I have to go another way. I am looking at another electrician that might be able to do the installation quickly (as within a month).
I should know more by next week.
BTW, installation of the additional pegboard was delayed by house-related items. I hope to get to it today or tomorrow.
George
Thank you for the update, George. It all takes time.
Updated 7/26/2017:
Today I tested 3700K, 4100K, and 5000K bulbs. I am selecting the 4100K bulb for the workshop and layout. It was bright without being harsh.
Also, I ordered (and paid for) the lighting components for the basement. They should arrive on Friday or Saturday.
I have a quote for the labor and installation of the lighting is scheduled for next Thursday.
George
George,
I found this link online which explains much about today's bulb technology. Glad things are moving along for you.
http://blog.batteriesplus.com/...in-a-different-light
Tom
George,
Sounds like you will have a well lit layout room and workshop soon!
Mark Boyce posted:George,
Sounds like you will have a well lit layout room and workshop soon!
Mark, I hope so. Lighting is a pet peeve with me.
I also plan to light the underside of the layout in a consistent and useful way. Still thinking about how I want to do it, but both rope light and LED strips are under consideration. I will be using a rolling seat to move around under the layout. Something like this...
Still lots to think about.
George
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MNCW posted:George,
I found this link online which explains much about today's bulb technology. Glad things are moving along for you.
http://blog.batteriesplus.com/...in-a-different-light
Tom
Thanks Tom! This link spells out rather well what I'm using to influence my bulb decisions. I need to have the same color range in both the workshop and the layout. Otherwise, something I paint in the shop won't have the same appearance on the layout. That would not be good. 
And the uniformity of track heads and bulbs means I can move things around in a pinch if necessary.
George
I agree about lighting. With cataract surgery on the horizon, I may get a reprieve from dark shadows. However, even before I liked a lot of light on the subject.
As to the stool, I think I would rather build high enough so I can sit on something similar instead of using something like a mechanic's creeper.
Mark Boyce posted:I agree about lighting. With cataract surgery on the horizon, I may get a reprieve from dark shadows. However, even before I liked a lot of light on the subject.
As to the stool, I think I would rather build high enough so I can sit on something similar instead of using something like a mechanic's creeper.
Mark,
Going through the process (one eye and then the next after a while) is somewhat annoying, but afterwards it feels like you have a new lease on life. My distance vision is now excellent; I use glasses only for reading. No problems seeing at night. I'm a very happy man.
Yeah, something as low as a mechanic's creeper? No thanks.
George
..... installation of the lighting is scheduled for next Thursday.
It's hopping right over!
Funny Martin, funny but a little creepy. 
Although not as creepy as the clowns.
George
G3750 posted:Funny Martin, funny but a little creepy.
Although not as creepy as the clowns.
George
Wait until Halloween..............just wait!
George, Martin's video is funny and creepy!
Thanj you for the comments on the cataract surgery. Yes, I'm sure the process in between surgery is a bit annoying. But the eye doctor says the end results will be like you said. I have had bifocals or trifocals since I was 39. But in the last year and a half, I have totally flipped from being far sighted to near sighted, having gone through 2 glasses prescriptions and everything is out of focus again. The various rainbow and white halos around lights at night make driving rather tiring. I'll be glad to go through the process with a positive end in sight.
Updated 7/29/2017:
Maybe not a ton of progress, but a lot of lessons learned. Someone back in this thread suggested that a 12" miter saw was overkill. (Thank you! You were right!) Unfortunately, I was thinking of the double bevel feature in the 12" saw (totally frivolous for my purposes). 
Well, I bought the 12" saw at Home Depot and stuck it, unopened, in the garage while higher priority things took precedence. I kept looking at this huge and heavy box (which had been a struggle to get in the cart, in the car, and then into the house). Originally, I intended to put it downstairs in the workshop. However, I also planned to apply shellac or varnish to all cut pieces of wood. That would mean carrying the wood downstairs to the workshop, cutting it, carrying it back upstairs to the garage, varnishing it, and then taking it back downstairs for assembly. Seems like a lot of extra work for no good reason, doesn't it? 
So, I decided that all cuts made with the miter saw would take place in the garage. That would allow me to varnish the cut wood and then take it downstairs for assembly. But how to store and maneuver this monster? I recalled that DeWalt made a rolling cart for it.
Yesterday, I went back to Home Depot and bought the cart. As I'm pushing this massive item towards the checkout, I pass a construction worker (6'6", 280 lbs, orange vest) going the other direction. I get the thing home, put it next to the unopened miter saw (again with much difficulty), and remembered the construction worker. It occurred to me that a) I am no longer 25 years old; and b) you need to be the size of the construction worker to sling this miter saw and cart around. And getting the whole set up into the car (assuming it will fit 
) for transport to / from the Weirton Museum isn't going to be much fun.
Long story short, I took both the saw and the cart back to Home Depot and bought the 10" version.
What did I gain?
- Portability: the ability to safely move the smaller saw around. And I already have a WorkMate stand that fits it.
- Mobility: the saw (in locked position) will fit in the trunk of a Honda Civic or in the back seat.
- Saved over $300.
- More space in the garage.
- Probably avoided hernia surgery.
Here's a photo of this saw. I love it!
On top of everything, I just made the first few cuts with it (got a 90 tooth finishing blade for it). The cuts are absolutely clean. The saw is quiet and it went through the wood like a hot knife through butter. I couldn't be happier. 
George
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Looks like a great decision, George!
Updated 7/30/2017:
Just a little progress yesterday and today - got most of the pegboard support strips installed. Here's one of the pegboard sheets leaning against the furring strips while I confirm spacing.
George
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Updated 8/3/2017:
After delays from other household enhancements / fixes, I am happy to report that the installation of pegboard is complete. 
The lighting components arrived today and lighting installation is scheduled for Saturday.
George
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Updated 8/5/2017:
The new track lighting has been installed in the workshop and the train room!
Good shot of my pegboard getting utilized as well.
That's motor inspector Samantha performing her duties - checking out the new lights.
The final number and position of heads, as well as type of LED bulb (I currently favor 4100K) will be determined after the backdrop is installed. That will give me something to evaluate lighting choices against.
This is a major step forward!
George
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