I tore down my old layout over spring break and started planning a new one. I was sick today and couldnt go to school so I decided to begin construction on the new benchwork. I didnt get much done, Only got one Beam set, but now that Ive got the technique down for the metal (I have never used the steel studs before) Progress should be much faster.
Here is what I got done today.
[:D]
cool…one beam done and about 25 more to go…could i make a suggestion?..maybe you ought to paint your backdrop first…getting around all those beams to paint later is going to be a big hassle…just a suggestion…maybe you don’t want a backdrop…chuck
Sounds great, keep us posted and I hope you feel better…John
That sounds like a good idea. I didnt even think as far ahead as to the backdrop. Glad you mentioned it.
Well, I just started me new one recently too. I got pretty spoiled with my last layout. I walk out in to the garage now with a pile of cork on the floor, a plie of track, bunch wood, saw dust , and boxes of train[censored] all over the place. Man is it depressing. Good luck!
Best Regards
john k
Yeah, I salvaged all the track. Cork is so cheap its just not worth the effort. Most of it gets broken in the process too
Well, im still not feeling well and i slept until 4 today. I feel a little better after 18 hours sleep though. I think ill go do some work.
Thanks again cwclark for your suggestion. I would have probably forgot. Anyway, Im ready to paint the blues. filled all the holes in the walls from the old benchwork and taped it all off. Above the tape will be sky blue with some of my award-winning clouds Anyway heres what ive got so far.
By the way, Im feeling a lot better now. Looks like school for me tommorrow[V]
Well, the clouds are done. Looks like its back to benchwork. Sorry about the bad picture quality. I really need a new camera[B)]
Smoley hokes! That’s a pretty spiffy backdrop, Joe. I take it that you used a template for the clouds? Do you intend to render the lower half progressively whiter?
-Crandell
Nope no template. Its all freehand. I learned from a cloud master. Ill explain the process later. I have to get to a meeting right now…
good work, I will be looking forword to your cloud techniques. I am thinking about using steel. Would you recomend it?
For sure! Its lighter, cheaper and easier to work than wood. Not quite as strong as wood, but its fine for a layout. The thing to watch for is the sharp edges. Its a little tricky to mount on a wall too. It torques pretty easily so you have to brace it both top and bottom. But yes. Ill never go back to wood. Im going to post the cloud technique in a new thread. Probably Ill call it Realistic Clouds or something.
Steel stud construction relies on the end channels for strength. I would suggest that you constuct the frame then attach to the wall. The rear/ wall channel could also be screwed to the studs that don’t have braces. You will end up with a much more ridged/ stable frame tis way. The shelf brackets may not have enough support, if ever bent or distorted you will need to gusset to fix- look into a stronger method before you find out. Not all braces need to be that strong, only critical areas of span. Someone on this forum has an excellent method to do this, I don,t remember who. Hopefully they can respond to this thread to help you out.
If you are not able to prebuild sections, start with the wall channel and “stick” build your way out to the facia channel. Vice grip clamps work great to hold while fastening w/ the sheet metal screws.
Bob K.
I thought about that. Im going to have the C chanell on the front edge of the layout but i figured if i just screwed C channel into the studs it would bend and I would end up with a droopy layout. The brackets are working great though.
For your road bed you should use foam it does not break or dry out.
It is easyer to use to. trust me. i had cork and if was a pain.
just a sugestion.
Ben.
-Ben.
You mean that black squishy stuff? Ive never used it, what are the big advantages?
None.
Ben, it takes years and years for cork to become too dry for use.
CORK
-is a sturdier base for track
-bends easier around sharp curves
-is less noisey when ballasted
-may be cheaper than WS foam (depends on where you get it)
[2c]
Good going JPM!
I see that your layout will be the “around the wall” type, very similar to what I’ll be doing.
I had never considered using steel. I’m looking forward to seeing photos as you progress!
BTW: Outstanding sky and clouds!
OK, Ill be honest. The last few days I have been just plain lazy.[zzz] I havent even taken the drop cloths out of my room and ive been sleeping on the couch. Time to get back to work on the layout…[:I]