Dave it looks Awesome! Build it slow and Steady. You get much better results that way. Taking breaks and thinking about your next plan of attack is your best solution. We’re all excited for you. Watching you design and build this layout is a great series. I’m picking up a lot of good pointers, and bet everyone else is as well. Great job! Tom
Awesome update Dave! You have made major progress in the right direction. I really like how’s it’s looking so far. Looking forward to seeing them run for the first time. 👍
At hardware store they have a mini blue screw lag pack for concrete with a concrete drill bit incl for 10$ Get a pack and go thru that block Those nails aren’t good if someone heavy falls on it or leans on it but the lags will absolutely fix this
use deck bracing method 1 1x4 flat on its side from back right corner to front left corner underneath [google deck bracing] 2 angle cuts on ends secure where it crosses frame will eliminate wobble
Don't sell yourself short on your carpentry skills Dave, that benchwork looks first-rate! I concur, once you get the foam secured to the table I'm sure the whole assembly will stiffen up. Maybe add a couple of braces "just in case" but I wouldn't worry too much. By the way, that 2 x 4 you've got on the wall is exactly the way the backside of my own layout's supported. Looking forward to the nexr installment
Exciting stuff, Dave. If it's a matter of raising the bench work, it's easy to shim on top of the cleat. I dadoed my wall cleats for a half lap so that the bechwork slipped in and locked the benchwork in place. It helps to provide additional support and rigidity and loocks the benchwork to the wall without anchors. If the block wall is sound without any plaster, the liquid nails should provide adequate bonding once dry. I use CR-26 construction adhesive, and that stuff never fails at the point of contact of the bond itself on concrete. Keep the videos coming. Love seeing your progress
Thanks! When I bought the house, there were 2x4 shelves in the garage and they were just nailed to the wall. They were plenty sturdy, but came down fairly easily with some force, so yeah, hopefully the liquid nails does the job and really keeps it all secure and sturdy. I wish I had had the patience to do dadoes like you say, I thought of some sort off groove that would lock the two together but passed that by for the sake of speed. It’s one of those compromises I’ll probably regret later
Seems to be moving along. I have to say I’m retired and I don’t have the time to put into trains that you while working a job are demonstrating. Building layout, fixing trains, shopping for trains on road trips, train shows, and these train videos ……….. how do you find the time?
I don’t really know! My wife and kids are very supportive, the kids are now old enough that they don’t need dad hanging around all the time, so I go to the garage and they know where to find me. Also, I’m ignoring a lot of other projects I should be working on! lol
Looks good! I used an open grid benchwork (as you have here) on my first layout, and will do the same on the next. I found 1x3s more than solid enough for the framing, but I'd prefer 1x4 or even 1x6 (or maybe 1/4" plywood strips 6" deep) for the fascia fronts. I like your method of using foam board insulation for the horizontal surfaces. My layout had several grades, and I made them using 1x4 vertical supports holding up custom cut sections of 3/8 plywood to hold the roadbed and track: it was overkill, structurally. I found that if you brace things correctly, you can use much lighter materials without sacrificing strength and stability. Thanks as always for your posts: looking forward to more progress!
I considered using more wood and less foam, but the foam is just so easy to work with and adjust as you go. I’d like to build the next layout a little dofferent
Very nice! That bench work looks pretty solid, for sure. I'm not sure about the nails holding over a long period of time. When we put the shelving up in my train room, we used a concrete drill bit and special screws designed for concrete and block. I have a fair amount of stuff on the shelves and I certainly didn't want anything coming down on the layout or my noggin'. Either way, the expansion looks like it's coming along at a good pace An excellent video, as always.
Thanks! Yeah the proper drill bit and anchors would have been a good idea. There is a good amount of liquid nail adhesive too, so hopefully it does the job. No problems yet on the rest of the layout 🤞
@@dagryffynhobby Liquid Nails is good stuff. I've used it to fix couplers on my AMT cars, where the coupler has broken off of the draw bar. It hasn't failed yet. Keep the great updates coming.
Hey Dave looks great. I didn’t hear you say if you pre drilled holes before screwing the framework together? I’m just curious if you can screw into 1 by without worrying about splitting or cracks. I’m about to start this process in the next week or so.
I've contemplated using 2x4's for all my framing, or "cheating" and using a Mianne Benchwork kit. Did you use 1X4's & 1X6's? That gives me another interesting option. I'm not sure if any benchwork I end up building will support my 300+ lb frame. :)
Frame is 1x4. I’ve found it’s sufficient for what I’m doing. If you want a layout you can frequently walk over, you may want to go larger, but I don’t have experience with that.
@@dagryffynhobby so then the reason for the wobble is the legs don’t have a cross brace I would get pvc plumbers pipe glue (>10$) and get some of your pvc cut to go in between as a brace. If you look at a plastic folding table about 2/3 way down they have a cross brace. You could use wood and bolts to do same thing depends how fancy you want.
@@N_scale that would help, yes. I have a cross brace on the legs of the other peninsula and it is pretty sturdy . Maybe I’ll do that first before adding more bracing to the table.
Great progress on the Layout Expansion 👍👍 Like you Dave, I do some of my indoor construction work in my pajamas 😄😄 Thanks for sharing 🌞🌞
Yep: I'm endorsing the flannel pajama bottoms and t-shirt "work uniform" too!
If I’m not at work, I’m wearing pajama pants!
Dave it looks Awesome! Build it slow and Steady. You get much better results that way. Taking breaks and thinking about your next plan of attack is your best solution. We’re all excited for you. Watching you design and build this layout is a great series. I’m picking up a lot of good pointers, and bet everyone else is as well. Great job! Tom
Thanks Tom! Doing my best not to rush, or at least not to force it. As you can tell by the level of scenery on my layout, I don’t mind taking my time!
Awesome update Dave! You have made major progress in the right direction. I really like how’s it’s looking so far. Looking forward to seeing them run for the first time. 👍
Thanks 👍
Thank You Dave a true credit to the Hobby! Happy Railroading Kid!
Thank you!
Never underestimate the importance of good benchwork. Good idea to cut the corners at an angle. Can't wait to see what is next.
Thanks! Yeah a wobbly table is never good!
At hardware store they have a mini blue screw lag pack for concrete with a concrete drill bit incl for 10$
Get a pack and go thru that block
Those nails aren’t good if someone heavy falls on it or leans on it but the lags will absolutely fix this
Great job so far Dave. Can't wait to see the next installment.
Thanks 👍
use deck bracing method 1 1x4 flat on its side from back right corner to front left corner underneath [google deck bracing] 2 angle cuts on ends secure where it crosses frame will eliminate wobble
That’s a great idea, thanks!
It's looking great Dave! Can't wait to see it progress even further
Thanks!
Looking good Dave I know you can do it you're pretty good at what you do cannot wait until it's done
Thank you!
Looking good Dave
Thank you
Looking good Dave. I'm sure once you have the track down, it will be a great expansion.
Thanks. I can’t wait
Strong Work!!! Really good start!!!
Thank you
Nice progress, Dave! It will be really interesting to see what the next step will reveal. Waiting with great focus on the next instalment.
Thanks so much
Don't sell yourself short on your carpentry skills Dave, that benchwork looks first-rate!
I concur, once you get the foam secured to the table I'm sure the whole assembly will stiffen up. Maybe add a couple of braces "just in case" but I wouldn't worry too much.
By the way, that 2 x 4 you've got on the wall is exactly the way the backside of my own layout's supported.
Looking forward to the nexr installment
Thanks! I’ll probably add a few cross supports in the middle of the table.
Exciting stuff, Dave. If it's a matter of raising the bench work, it's easy to shim on top of the cleat. I dadoed my wall cleats for a half lap so that the bechwork slipped in and locked the benchwork in place. It helps to provide additional support and rigidity and loocks the benchwork to the wall without anchors. If the block wall is sound without any plaster, the liquid nails should provide adequate bonding once dry. I use CR-26 construction adhesive, and that stuff never fails at the point of contact of the bond itself on concrete. Keep the videos coming. Love seeing your progress
Thanks! When I bought the house, there were 2x4 shelves in the garage and they were just nailed to the wall. They were plenty sturdy, but came down fairly easily with some force, so yeah, hopefully the liquid nails does the job and really keeps it all secure and sturdy. I wish I had had the patience to do dadoes like you say, I thought of some sort off groove that would lock the two together but passed that by for the sake of speed. It’s one of those compromises I’ll probably regret later
Seems to be moving along. I have to say I’m retired and I don’t have the time to put into trains that you while working a job are demonstrating. Building layout, fixing trains, shopping for trains on road trips, train shows, and these train videos ……….. how do you find the time?
I don’t really know! My wife and kids are very supportive, the kids are now old enough that they don’t need dad hanging around all the time, so I go to the garage and they know where to find me. Also, I’m ignoring a lot of other projects I should be working on! lol
Fantastic work Dave! Inspiring me to get to work on my layout.
Thanks. Awesome! Get to it 👍
You made a lot of progress Dave. The layout is coming along nice!
Thanks!
Nice, looks good and sturdy
Thanks.
Good Job Take it slow and enjoy peace out!
Thanks!
Looks great Dave
Thank you.
Love all the bridges.
Thanks!
Looking good so far!!
Thanks!
Looks good! I used an open grid benchwork (as you have here) on my first layout, and will do the same on the next. I found 1x3s more than solid enough for the framing, but I'd prefer 1x4 or even 1x6 (or maybe 1/4" plywood strips 6" deep) for the fascia fronts. I like your method of using foam board insulation for the horizontal surfaces. My layout had several grades, and I made them using 1x4 vertical supports holding up custom cut sections of 3/8 plywood to hold the roadbed and track: it was overkill, structurally. I found that if you brace things correctly, you can use much lighter materials without sacrificing strength and stability. Thanks as always for your posts: looking forward to more progress!
I considered using more wood and less foam, but the foam is just so easy to work with and adjust as you go. I’d like to build the next layout a little dofferent
Dang you work fast😊
Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.
Very nice! That bench work looks pretty solid, for sure. I'm not sure about the nails holding over a long period of time. When we put the shelving up in my train room, we used a concrete drill bit and special screws designed for concrete and block. I have a fair amount of stuff on the shelves and I certainly didn't want anything coming down on the layout or my noggin'. Either way, the expansion looks like it's coming along at a good pace An excellent video, as always.
Thanks! Yeah the proper drill bit and anchors would have been a good idea. There is a good amount of liquid nail adhesive too, so hopefully it does the job. No problems yet on the rest of the layout 🤞
@@dagryffynhobby Liquid Nails is good stuff. I've used it to fix couplers on my AMT cars, where the coupler has broken off of the draw bar. It hasn't failed yet. Keep the great updates coming.
Excellent Dave…I’m lucky if I know where to put the smoke fluid in…..😢
The hobby is great for all skill levels!
Hope it works out for you.
Thanks!
Hey Dave looks great. I didn’t hear you say if you pre drilled holes before screwing the framework together? I’m just curious if you can screw into 1 by without worrying about splitting or cracks. I’m about to start this process in the next week or so.
I did pre drill holes, through the first board and just enough into the second to start the screw.
@@dagryffynhobby ok thanks for the info!
I've contemplated using 2x4's for all my framing, or "cheating" and using a Mianne Benchwork kit. Did you use 1X4's & 1X6's? That gives me another interesting option. I'm not sure if any benchwork I end up building will support my 300+ lb frame. :)
I’m using 1x4 and it seems plenty strong. I’m 225 and I’ve stood on the layout, carefully. It seemed solid enough.
Is the frame 1x4 or 1x6? I was going to use 2x4 but yours looked much easier to work with.
Frame is 1x4. I’ve found it’s sufficient for what I’m doing. If you want a layout you can frequently walk over, you may want to go larger, but I don’t have experience with that.
Is the benchwork screwed to the wall blocks?
It is
@@dagryffynhobby so then the reason for the wobble is the legs don’t have a cross brace
I would get pvc plumbers pipe glue (>10$) and get some of your pvc cut to go in between as a brace. If you look at a plastic folding table about 2/3 way down they have a cross brace.
You could use wood and bolts to do same thing depends how fancy you want.
@@N_scale that would help, yes. I have a cross brace on the legs of the other peninsula and it is pretty sturdy . Maybe I’ll do that first before adding more bracing to the table.
@@dagryffynhobby ua-cam.com/users/shortsIsmQx0RbyZU?si=O5S4vWO45LzdPI3j