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Video: Building Model Railroader’s HO scale Virginian Ry. part 3
You commented on the fact that your garage floor was “anything but level,” but there was no reference to the use of a level to make sure everyting was level before it was glued and nailed. How did you assure that the assembly was level?
Lowes in Orangeburg, SC does not carry at least half of the needed supplies for building a HO layout. I have had to impervise certain items and order stuff from out of the area to rebuild my layout here in the South Carolina.
Nice neat assembly process and well thought out. Good Job!
Being a amateur woodworker I can’t help but think using butt joints on a railroad that is going to be transported to shows and such is a bad idea. Butt joints are very weak even with glue. I would suggest you use pocket hole joinery to assemble you framing. It is neat, clean and very strong even on butt joints. You can even rearrange joints if necessary
Great job David. Looking forward to the next episode already.
I like the way you build your framework. I do not have the tools you have, so I have to do the best I can with my hand tools.
I have been waiting for this one. My wife says I have to many tools - from what I see in the video you have toys (tools) also. Maybe one of us can bring their tools to the others house to play.
I enjoy - keep up the good work.
I too think using screws a much stronger bond, more flexable if change should be required. I have a cordless drill/screwdriver but not a nail gun.
I like the step-by-step videos. This was a great idea. I agree with Anthony that most people don’t have a nail gun, besides screws will hold it together better. It is easy enough to use dry-wall screws with a screwdriver bit in your electric drill. It goes nearly as fast as a nail gun.
I usually use wood screws to assemble my benchwork, and the reason is so that I can easily make changes or additions, and to greatly facilitate moving the layout in the future. However, if the layout is going to be pretty much in one palce as Dave has pointed out, a nail gun makes assemby very quick. Your demo Dave is done very well, nice job, I need to get a pair or two of the corner braces, do they carry them at HD ?
David:
Great job in these video journals. Your teaching background is evident.
Do you have a compressor attached to your nailer? How big does one need to power a gun like that?
Bob
Very helpful and reassuring that I was doing something right. In one scene David had his hand on the wood piece in the line of fire of the nailer. I had an incident where the nail went completely through the wood travelled three feet to enter my hand about two inches. A safety was used on this tool but the wood being joined did not stop the nail. Rare but possible it could happen to anyone.
Seems like a good idea not to glue the cross members. I screw 1x1 blocks to the outside framing & use screws to attach the cross girders. I always seem to have to move at least one.
Theoretically, If you plan everything before hand you won’t have to move any, & I’m sure the staff at MRR did just that.
A really nice video series so far for someone contemplating their first layout or for someone that wants to start a new one on the right foot.
You mentioned that your garage floor was not level and you were going to have to compensate for that. I assume you meant it was going to cause the frame to be out of square.
How did you deal with that?
Perhaps Anthony is being overly critical,I am sure David and the rest of the staff at MR super planned and double checked everything as they always do. Great job keep them coming.
The benchwork seems pretty straight forward, the part of the video that impressed me was how you stored your patio furniture on the wall.
Hi David and Crew,
I see that you are using what looks to be clear pine for the frame work.
What would be Pro/Con over using a good grade of plywood cut down to the 1x4 & 1x3 sizes?
Clear pine can get pricey.
I am looking forward to following this photo journal and learning different construction methods.
Keep up the great work!
Nice article as always Dave . You said that your work shope is cold , i noticed no insulation on your walls , it might help . Keep up the good work .
GREGORY S KOON - I used plywood ripped down for dimensional lumber for the frame work. I used cheaper grade for the insides of the frame work with a nice finnish grade for the outside. I was very happy with the results.