All.
I saw an article that had the table legs at 40". I am considering mine at 44". With the 2" foam and 2" casters the top of the table will be at 48". This is by preference right?
(I know, I know - boo, hiss, gasp, ugh) - For a 4x8 layout what is the optimal leg length/height?
Thanks, -Ron
IMO you are in the ballpark. There is no hard and fast rule.
You want to be able to sit under it on the floor and comfortably work underneath.
Lumber comes in 8’ lenghts or 96". To save time and energy I cut mine in half or 48" but I didn’t use casters. Saved a lot of sawing.
Bob
Table height is according to preference and/or need.
I originally had my layout at 48". However, the ceiling in my basement is just an 1" or so higher than the top of my head. At 77", that gave me just shy of 30" of looking and working room.
I eventually lowered the layout to 45", then to 42". Now I can enjoy working on my layout without it feeling like I’m working in the lower area of a bunk bed.
Tom
Since my layout is a bunch of grades connecting a few flat(ter) spots, I don’t have a table as such. I have benchwork - that bears a remarkable resemblance to Disney’s Himalayas thrill ride with the skin off. Two of the legs are 60 inches from top to floor, but there are `C work like L,’ girders at two levels and joists and braces at others. Track levels were decided from the top down, with the lowest coming out at 38 inches above the floor. Since it’s a scale kilometer into the netherworld, under five other levels of track, that height can hardly be defined as visible track. The lowest visible track is 42 inches above the floor.
The major part of the main line is supported by shelf brackets attached to the walls. There are only ten legs, four under (through?) the frames of the peninsulas and two in the middle of a long, narrow frame across the garage door. Part of that frame across the garage door is the base for my subdivision/engine change/interchange - the closest thing on the layout to a table.
Chuck (Modeling mountainous Central Japan in September, 1964)
Gidday, what ever suits your (hopefully Not prone to be sore) back. [:(]
Cheers,the Bear . [:)]
Thanks all. Great respoonses. Preference is the key and I don’t mind working from a step stool if needed to get a nice viewing perspective on my layout. I appreciate the input. Now to measure twice decide once and go for it. Just having fun playing with trains.
-Ron
Are you going to operate it standing up or sitting down?
My walk around layout is at 50". But my test track layout is 34" which let’s me sit at it.
BTW I use 4" casters on my 5’4" x 12’ test layout - I find that 2" are rarely enough for anything…
Enjoy
Paul
Two more good points. Thanks Ironrooster.
I put mine at 40" (tabletop) for the lower track area. I probably would have made it slightly higher but for grandkids considerations. I’m 6’4" and can work sitting under it without having to bend my head sideways, but a couple more inches would be nice.
Do you want the layout just below I level for most realistic look? or substantially below eye-level for ease of operation?
I set mine at 48", which is just the right height for me to roll around under using an office chair from Walmart. With my back, the thought of sitting on the floor wasn’t even a consideration. I just unlock the lean back pin, lower it all the way down and roll under. I can completely roll around completely under my layout. I also use a small roll around utility cart from Walmart to hold tools underneath it. I attached a power strip that I can plug an extension cord into and have my powered tools down there with me.
You see those screws sticking out? They’ve since been cut off. Having been an electrician by trade, that’s an electrical receptacle that’s been wired with a dedicated circuit into the service panel.
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" With my back, the thought of sitting on the floor wasn’t even a consideration. I just unlock the lean back pin, lower it all the way down and roll under. I can completely roll around completely under my layout."
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Marlon, that’s a great idea. and you sure look comfortable. All you need now is a small fridge and a microwave.
I’d try it but with the stero playing and the padded chair I’d think I was in my Laz A Boy and fall to sleep.
Bob
LION had an office chair attached to a four wheel dolly, but I have since abandoned it. LION does NOT go under the table to wire anything. Wires dropped under the layout are pulled forward to the fascia and all connections are right there in the front where I can work on them either standing or seated in a chair.
A pair of 14 or 12 ga solid wires run around the layout for train power. Sidings etc are controlled locally by the tortoise switch machines, so I do not bother with blocks. I would not find them necessary on a 4x8 layout.
LION uses a 25 pair Cat 3 cable to connect from the control panel to the layout. On a 4x8 layout I would place such a panel at each corner, and of course one in the control tower. Switches, Signals, Relays etc are controlled via this cable. There is also a heavy ground conductor following around the layout.
As for wheels, a room sized layout such as mine does not have them. If I were building a 4x8 layout I’d use 4" wheels, but I would also build a shelf just above the wheels for storage, since as explained I do not go under there for wiring. This way any junk that I store under the table moves with it as I move it.
Enjoy, ROAR