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Sievers Benchwork
I was pleasantly surprised to see this online the Model Railroader website, but I am sure that when the readers of the magazine sees the results of this using thei product, they will agree with me.
I’m going to have to check Sievers out. I sent a request for a quote to Mianne Benchwork via e-mail and they never answered me. I thought I was going to have to build from scratch.
Having built a lot of benchwork over the years, and being possessed with decent carpentry skills, I never thought about giving Sievers a try, that is, until earlier this year when I began a new layout. True enough, as others have written, you can buy all the components at your local home store, and save a few bucks. But I’m at a point in my life where spending a little more for a quality product seemed worth it. And I’ve not been disappointed. Sievers is a first class company, professional to deal with, and very friendly. They will go out of their way to make you a satisfied customer. They’ll even do custom work. I give them the highest rating.
I built my layout (http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html) using Sievers Benchwork, and it went together very smoothly and is exactly as they advertise. A+++ product!
I have been using Sievers benchwork for several years. It hasn’t let me down yet. I cover it with pink foam and it’s easy to work with.
This product is ideal for those who do not have the skill and/or the tools to start from scratch. It is easy to assemble and sturdy.
Interesting review but why is it filed under Passenger Cars HO?
I have used Sievers modules for more than 10 years now, and I cannot say enough good things about it. I negotiated for space in the basement when my wife wanted to re-do our kitchen. I was able to assemble modules to cover an area about 4 ft by 24 ft in about three evenings. I had my wife’s painter prime and finish coat the unit before he did the kitchen 
and it looks great! I re-ordered about eight years later and the materials are identical. A great product, and a good company with which to deal!
I have not used it myself, but I did look very closely at a layout that was built with the product. I thought it looked very good and the owner was quite pleased, both in working with the product and the finished result. I thought the materials and finish were first rate. If you have fought with the general low quality of lumber that is available at the big box stores as I have, this would be a joy to use. I’m sure there are some cases where it would not work for a particular layout, but many (most) could use it for all or most of their benchwork.
I have used Sievers benchwork on my layout for over 15 years and it’s very lightweight and easy to assemble. Sievers must spend extra time drying their wood because it’s much lighter than the same size lumber from a home improvement store or lumber supplier. It’s expensive though- your’re paying for the convienence.
Don’t have a chop saw, want to zoom past the benchwork stage? Sievers is the way to go. It took me less than a day to assemble and install 57 sq.ft. All of the materials are first-rate and the resulting benchwork is rock-solid. Thanks so much to Sievers for making it simple to get started on my new layout!
I have used this system for years. It is a great easy starting point and you get the feeling of accomplishment, in just getting up the benchwork in a couple of hours on a good sized layout.
I think it is strange the MRR has never used this system for one of their project Railroads, as it eliminates the need for any carpentry skills, especially good for the beginner.
This benchwork seems quite useful to anyone wanting to expand a layout as well as for those who wish to start a new layout.
I also am a Sievers believer. I decided to spend some $ in place of a lot of my time and am really glad I did. I emailed Sievers shortly after assembly and told them “it’s a shame I have to cover it up”.
I bought siever’s benchwork for my new layout. I am not much of a carpenter and this system is fantastic. I put up the benchwork for a 9 x 12 around the room layout in a weekend. I have setup my layout to be modular as I live in an apartment. The sections can easily be setup that way. Everything is very nice, cut square and all screws and other hardware are provided.
My only complaint was that the carriage bolts for connecting the legs seemed short to me so I purchased longer ones, but that’s more of a personal preference. I also used Lee Valley levelling feet just because I like them better and you can level them with an allan key but it does come with adjustable feet as well.
If you don’t have the equipment, ability or time to make your own benchwork this is a great alternative.
My first benchwork layout was in my apartment in the early 80’s. While it did set me back a bit, not having to cut any lumber (not to mention having no place to cut it) made this the way to go and I’m glad I did. If ease of construction is preferred over the price you’ll pay for the convenience, and you can plan your layout within the scope of what they offer, this is the way to go toward your basic framework.
I’m back in an apartment now and wish I had the $$ to start over again this way, but having a massive supply of leftover lumber from earlier layouts means I’ll be going that route instead.
Very hepful. Will be using it on my next layout. Very soon… I hope.
I have used the same Sievers benchwork for three different layouts to date. The first one was 15 years ago. I even moved from dry Arizona to humid Newfoundland, Canada and am still using the same benchwork with no trouble at all. Each of my layouts have been in a different configuration which shows the flexibilty of this system. I highly recommend Sievers benchwork for the ease of assembly, the versatility and the longevity it provides.
I have used Sievers twice now. It’s pricey but I think if you went to find the same premium lumber (instead of the awful stuff at the home centers) you’d find it competitive, not mention the table saw, drill press and other big tools. On top of it all, I am recycling all the modules from my last layout.
I have built traditional I-beam girder stuff before but for a small 11x15 space i’m using now you can’t beat Sievers.