On my layout I plan on using hollow core doors for my bench work. Where I am running into a problem is trying to figure out how to attach a staging section to the end of the hollow core doors. I have seen examples from Lance Mindheim on using a clamp but I cannot find a picture of how it attached underneath the hollow core door. My plan is to build a track onto a section of 1x6 and put it at the end. For those who use hollow core doors how did you attach your staging and if you can post a pic. I would greatly appreciate it.
I don’t remember Lance using just a clamp for a large staging yard, but I know he clamps on a single track.
What I have seen done in the past for a similar situation is to glue a 1X4 flange to the edge of the hollow core door and use that as the clamping surface. You’ll need a similar flange on the board you are clamping in place, of course.
A 1X6 will be relatively heavy and you might not need all that width for a single track (assuming HO). A narrower board with stiffener/siderails of Masonite or something similar might be lighter and less of a strain when clamped. Best of luck
Byron
Here’s what it says at NTRAK for joining its N Scale modules:
Modules are joined in a layout by clamping with two “C” clamps and inserting 5" sections of Atlas “Snap Track”. (Actual length, 4.910")
Remove the tie from one end so that the rail joiners (Atlas preferred) will slide fully on. Place joiners on other end, put in place, and then (with tweezers or similar implement) slide joiners into position.
For clamp clearance, top of rail to opening for “C” clamp is 4.5".
There are pictures of the staging section connected to the left end of the East Rail layout on Lance’s web site. The staging section looks to be a 1x4 with thin plywood or hardboard sides. The sides are up like a thru girder bridge. The staging section has an “L” shaped piece of wood hanging down at the very end. This piece butts up against the facia attached to the edge of the door core. A single Quick Grip clamp secures the staging to the layout by clamping the L to the facia. There may be indexing pins in the joint to precisely locate the two ends of the track, but I don’t recall Lance ever stating that. The other end of the staging piece may have rested on something sticking out from the pegboard on the wall where the staging board ended.