Monocoque Baseboards

[Chatty]

Probably, the next layout I'll build will have to be far more portable than before.

All previous attempts at building similar layouts I have never been able to protect the below baseboard stuff to my satisfaction.

I thought I might have a shot at build a monocoque baseboard type baseboard which seems to provide a lightweight but strong baseboard with protection to the stuff below decks.

Have any of you had experience with this type of baseboard?

The baseboard construction is featured in RM September 2012.

Kind regards

Geoff

[Caz]

Any chance of a picture Geoff, I think I know what you mean and if so all the modellers over here in Spain use that method of constructing baseboards which are light and strong.

[Chatty]

As always Caz  your wish is my command 

[smg id=18112 type=av]

[Malc]

I suppose the base is removable so that you can get to the wiring. Looks like a good idea. Keep us posted if you decide to go down this route.

[Chatty]

Caz

Forgot to add here is a link to some photographs of the layout Springfield Spa that has been built using that technique.  Notice who you can get nice following lines to the layout. 

http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhib11/springfieldspa.html

Kind regards

Geoff

[Caz]

As always Caz  your wish is my command 

Now there's an interesting thought.   

Serous side now, yes looks similar to what they do here but they don't cover the undersides.  The sides are 10 - 15 cm deep and afford a lot or protection to the underside gubbins. 

The club layouts here are all modular and when exhibited have sections from lots of different modellers which all link together as there are standards they all have to follow.   They use 10mm ply here which is reasonably cheaply available in all the DIY stores and make up into light and very strong sections that get quite heavily handled during assembly and disassembly. 

The treasurer of the club showed me how he assembles them using some two part instant spray on glue, not sure I would trust it as much as they do but it does seem to make a very strong instant bond.

[Agrippa]

Looks like a good idea, didn't know you could get bendy mdf.

[Malc]

Flexible MDF is readily available.....http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Flexible-MDF-Board-6x607x1220mm/p/190139

[Newportnobby]

The treasure of the club showed me how he assembles them

Where did you dig him up from, Caz?

[FeelixTC]

I went down the 'monocoque' route (at least; that's what *I* call it!)

Some pics here:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=480

I'm no carpenter; but what I ended up with is both strong and light - no flex at all and weighs less than 4kg.

I used 4mm ply, which was as flimsy as tracing paper until it all got glued together................and now I can cut holes in my baseboard with a knife, if need be.

Not sure if my idea tallies with yours, but hope this helps?

[steve836]

My last layout was built in a similar fashion. It was 6ft X 8ft and had an 18" deep backscene round the outside from 4mm ply a 10mm thick baseboard the underside had 42 deep struts at 12" spacings  with a 4" deep strengthener round the operating well which was 2ft X 4ft . The backscene also went 4" below the base board. It sat on legs from 2" square P.A.R. with adjustable feet when in use but was hauled up to the ceiling of my workshop on pulleys when not in use. It was light but strong and when I moved house 3years ago I gave it to my grandson. It's still in use and showing no sign of deterioration.