My son and I are building an L shaped logging theme layout 8’ by 10’ by 18" against a wall, with curvy tracks and numerous grades which will not parallel the edges . How can i keep my cookie cut plywood roadbed from canting when the supports aren’t at 90 degrees to the centerline of the curve? thank you
You’ll have to make angled and/or compound cuts at the top of the risers to compensate for the offset.
For roadbed that approaches the riser straight: Clamp the riser to the benchwork. Place a sample piece of roadbed on top of this riser and the previous riser. Use a small spacer block under the roadbed and along side the riser. Mark the riser under the spacer. Remove the riser; cut along the line, leeping the saw parallel on the face of the riser. Re-install the riser, check for fit and alignment.
For roadbed that approaches the riser at an angle: Clamp riser, place sample roadbed. Using the spacer block, mark not only the side of the riser but also the face of the riser. The lines drawn indicate the angles of the cuts that need to be made to allow the roadbed to sit flat on top of the riser. Remember, the saw needs to cut along BOTH lines at the same time to keep the angles correctly oriented. Re-install the riser and check alignment.
It sounds more complicated than it is. Keeping the saw straight on compound cuts takes concentration. If you have trouble with it, make the saw cut slightly above the marked lines and use a power sander to remove excess material down to the marked lines.
If you need more help, just ask.
That´s why they invented the Laser-level. I have used mine at many different occasions involving angled cuts. Try it.
Use a 1x as the riser. Cut a short piece of 1x long enough that you can drive one screw through the face and one into the end. Using one screw and one screw only, screw the short block to the riser so the short block sticks up about 1/4 in above the end of the riser. Set the cookie cutter on the riser/short block and drill down thru the plywood into the short block and drive a screw. The short block should rotate slightly to meet the angle of the plywood. No measurements of angles required. If you like, after you get the plywood set, you can drive a second screw through the short block to hold it in place and prevent further rotation.
You can also use small wooden angles/L (1x2) as the short blocks and then screw the angle to plywood from the bottom.
No need to complicate matters. Simply locate the riser next to a convenient framing crossmember, fasten it to the underside of the roadbed, then jack it up to the proper height. Lay a level across the roadbed, then rotate the bottom end of the riser in the proper direction to get the bubble centred, then attach the riser to the benchwork. You can use this same method to introduce superelevation, too.
Wayne
Thanks to all who replied. I did some experimenting last night trying out several of the suggested methods. In one place i had to put in an additional frame, but i got it under control. thanks again.
Now lets see some photos. Everyone here loves pics! I have a secondary interest in logging railroads but haven’t attempted any modeling that theme. Maybe someday with another room and an On3 shay. There’s just something about steep grades, slow speeds, rickety trestles, steam donkeys and the backwoods that is just so cool…
Good luck with your layout!
Matt