Benchwork with Steel Framework

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
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I’m building on the latest articles about G “scale” (more or less, looks like I’ll be doing 1:24 which really isn’t scale anything) indoors. I have a 50’ basement space, but would prefer not to put much on the floor. Preliminary experiments indicate that I may be able to suspend from the ceiling, with occasional wall brackets to minimize sway.

Clearly, there are some significant issues with long spans between supports, but I’m experimenting with 1/2" plywood as the base, with 1"x1" steel angle iron underneath. I’m bolting the two together every 2’ or so, so it will be pretty rugged when done. I now have a 16’ piece that looks like it will be sufficiently stable even if only supported in two places - thus roughly 8’ spans.

More data will be supplied as I learn it. Clearly, for this type of installation, the modern light weight construction is necessary (foam for scenery rather than plaster on some even heavier support.

The next interesting experiment will be the necessary ceiling brackets.

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Being a “wright” and not a “smith”, I prefer to work in wood. For a similar situation (13ft span in O scale) a foam-filled box girder did the trick at a very reasonable weight. Use 1x3 lumber for the verticals with 1/4 in plywood for top and bottom of box. 2in foam goes inside (glued on all 4 sides). I notched the one corner of the 1x3 s 1/4 in x 1/4 in with a router to get a better glue joint with the plywood. Box can be wide enough for double track if you like. The most difficult part is finding long enough reasonably straight 1x3 s. Alternatively, the 1x3 s could be cut from 3/4 in plywood, scarfed to make the length you need. Or rip long 2x4 s into 2 1x4 s - you will need 3in total foam thickness in this case. Put your preferred roadbed on top of the box, and you are in business.

Fred Wright