How does one go about building open grid benchwork? By this I mean lining up the wood so you can lay the track on top.
I would strongly suggest you buy this book, it explains everything you need to know about constructing good benchwork. But overall, open grid construction always takes a lot of planning.
AMEN!!
Money well spent! [^]
Open grid requires very thorough study and planning, because once you cut the wood and glue or screw it in place, there’s no changing your track plan without going back and tearing everything out and starting all over. We finally gave up, tore out, and threw away a club layout because the original builders had used open grid construction with screenwire and plaster for the scenery base. The club’s new layout is built on hollow core doors with one inch of sound board glued on top, so adding, moving, or changing the track or scenery is very easy to accomplish.
To install the risers and subroadbed for open grid requires planning. Make a scale drawing of the layout showing grids, risers, and subroadbed. You should use clamps while you get everything lined up and then screw the risers and subroadbed to the grids. Get the book mentioned above. If you have access to back issues of MR you can find articles covering benchwork.
I would use open grid only where I had to. My second layout used it because I had elevation changes and branchline track over part of my mainline, but half the layout was tabletop. My current layout is tabletop with a couple of sections dropped for scenic effects.
Enjoy
Paul