New baseboard table question

weave · July 17, 2012, 10:02:05 AM

Hi all,

This is a bit long winded and should prob be in layout construction but had few probs with the loft layout, a cottage loft and loads of dust and stuff came down at weekend. Was getting frustrated with the lack of progress anyway as it looks like it will take more years than I thought.

Me girlie, bless her, said I could make a smaller layout in the spare room (to get mojo back and run some trains) as long as it was over the chest of drawers and it had nice legs and sort of removable or coverable ie guests.

Have only built a wooden baseboard that looks like a wooden baseboard in the past so any advice on something 'prettier' would be great. Can't really think. Have looked at tables on ebay, ikea etc but not having much luck. The chest of drawers is L 33"x W 16"x H 40".

I think I can get 7' x 2' in the space (maybe 6' with a small dog leg fiddle yard thing going on).

Shall I just buy a thick bit of wood and attach it to 4 'nice' legs or is there another way

As I said, can't think and need inspiration.

Thanks for any help

Weave

port perran · July 17, 2012, 10:17:51 AM

My layout is 6 ft X 3ft with a detachable 6x1 fiddle yard, This main board sits on a single bed in our spare room. The main layout is plywood with a softwood (inch square timber) undeframe to hold it level and firm. The fiddle yard simply bolts onto the side (bolts and wing nuts fitting into pre drilled and aligned holes) but has collapsible legs at either end to support it. I'm no carpenter but it does all work well.
The layout is reasonably easy to stow away (under the bed) when we have visitors (whih is a bit too often !!). It's taking all the stock and motor vehicles off (and putting them back on) that takes the time.
Works well for me.

EtchedPixels · July 17, 2012, 04:21:35 PM

Quote from: weave on July 17, 2012, 10:02:05 AM
Have only built a wooden baseboard that looks like a wooden baseboard in the past so any advice on something 'prettier' would be great. Can't really think. Have looked at tables on ebay, ikea etc but not having much luck. The chest of drawers is L 33"x W 16"x H 40".

Suggestion stop thinking about how much you can fit into the space, start asking what size the layout should be and if it can be narrow or wide, end to end etc.

I would advise against a large single board especially if it may have to be moved. If you don't understand why Cyril Freezer always recommended attempting to move a mattress around without bumping it

A thin wall mounted layout can be built from standard nice looking wall shelving and do interesting scenic things (eg you can place a shelf lower down overlapping the others and model a bridge and stuff. In a lot of locations it can if done with a bit of thought look quite decorative if you take care with the painting and borders.

The biggest question IMHO is where and how to store it. Under a bed it needs a cover or it will choke with dust. Also a neat way to file stuff away seems to win support. Eg someone I know never wanted a computer until the netbooks appeared. Once she knew how to store it tidily all was well

There are lots of ways people have tackled that - from traditional approaches like two boards that hinge together and form their own box so they can be stored, to the marginally insane (things like a chunky painting on the wall which actually swings down 90° and has a layout on the back)

A small set of drawers can also be useful for that. Not only can the top of it form part of the layout (with a cover) but the rest of the layout boards can be stored in the drawers along with the stock and the controller can fit into the front of the top drawer avoiding any mess there.

Anyway IMHO start by figuring what it will look like stored away - then figure out what that will look like assembled.

On the Ikea front btw there are a couple of lightweight wall shelves that look quite tidy and while a bit narrow for round and round stuff are a handy side for other things - "Lack" is an obvious one, although its fairly insubstantial so you might well need to glue the track rather than pin it. It's also thick so you'd need to use wire in tube or surface motors (or glue foamboard on top and sculpt the track level in that)

keithfre · July 17, 2012, 04:43:04 PM

I needed to protect my shelf layout not only from dust but also from a Curious Cat, so I've boxed it in, with a plexiglass front:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3219.msg35906#msg35906

Flakmunky · July 17, 2012, 07:52:59 PM

My layout sits on Ikea Billy shelves and has a removable return loop fiddle yard. Have a look at the link in my signature.

weave · July 18, 2012, 09:25:38 AM

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies, especially how to connect the track on the fiddle yard. Great layout Flakmunky.

Unfortunately can't touch the walls. No shelves or any fixings

However, have now been given permission to 'rest' the layout on the chest of draws so putting out an idea to see what you all think.

Thought I could build a plywood board with underframe as normal but with a middle frame to fit exactly round the edges of the the chest of drawers. This would mean no legs and if I made the edges good with nice fascias it would look neat and tidy and be removable.

If say 2" x 1" frame, then perhaps a 1" x 1" frame in the middle of the middle frame (if that makes sense) to hold it up slightly for wires etc but could always work round that.

Anyway, do you think that it would stable enough and if so, how far could I go either side as in the length of board without legs. Chest is 33" long and 18" wide. Its an expensive one so very sturdy thing.

Thought 2' wide would be ok but not sure on length. Would 5' be too much.

Also thought could attach a 1' wide temporary extension with a hinged leg near the baseboard to stop it tipping and the other end resting on the windowsill with a couple of little legs. This being removed each day so no moaning. The rest being permenant till guests.

Prob do extension at a later date but just seeing (after a short story) if the main layout area is do able.

Thanks again,

Weave

Newportnobby · July 18, 2012, 01:01:52 PM

Hi Weave,

My only reservation is the 5ft x 2ft panels, even well braced, might be too much to handle.
I have frequently used 4 x 2 panels with no issues so would probably draw the line there.

weave · July 18, 2012, 08:58:51 PM

Prob a stupid question but been drinking. Have a friend with a leftover bit of kitchen top. Is there a reason why no one uses this as a baseboard besides it being heavy as surely it shouldn't warp. Never heard of it being used before.

Could do the same thing as the post above ie a frame to fit round the chest of drawers and maybe the weight would hold it all together nicely?

Am I living in ' cloud red wine land ' or is that another option (and cheaper!).

Cheers Weave

Newportnobby · July 18, 2012, 09:07:24 PM

Speaking personally, I wouldn't fancy trying to put the track pins in with a sledgehammer

Flakmunky · July 18, 2012, 09:11:42 PM

My first layout sat on top of a large chest in a similar manner to that which you describe. I would use 18 x 44 for the main frame and 34 x 34 otherwise you won't have enough clearance for point motors...

weave · July 18, 2012, 11:17:37 PM

Quote from: newportnobby on July 18, 2012, 09:07:24 PM
Speaking personally, I wouldn't fancy trying to put the track pins in with a sledgehammer

I was thinking glue for the track... and me. Its a lot cheaper than red wine!

Seriously though. Do you think the kitchen top, maybe 6' x 2' would work? Its only a 1 year temporary ish thing til the loft is sorted and the layout up there is cleaned ready to resume building. I'd just get a cheap chest of drawers and put it on there permanently but there's no room.

Its hard to describe but room in constant use and only place is on top of this chest (which ain't mine)

Help me. Just want a small layout, nothing fancy, hand operated points etc. so I can practice scenery/ballasting etc. but don't want the thing to buckle or fall over!

Thanks Weave

Newportnobby · July 19, 2012, 08:13:52 AM

Hi Weave,

I guess it would work if you're gluing the track down and having manual points (although you could surface mount the points if you wanted to). I would seriously consider some form of track underlay for sound deadening, and if it is just a temporary layout I would suggest you keep it simples and go for a foam such as Peco or Gaugemaster.

Flakmunky · July 19, 2012, 09:27:14 AM

Weave,

It will end up very heavy... Weight of the worktop + wiring + track + scenics = unwieldly and heavy...

I would go for ply + softwood

weave · July 19, 2012, 09:31:54 AM

Thanks all,

Got to go to Wickes in half an hour for work so might just get something and see if works this evening. I sort of know what I'm doing, its just the 'resting on the chest of drawers' rather than attached to anything that is my mind problem.

I'll let you know how I get on, although you all probably bored senseless with this!

Thanks again,

Weave (might change name to 'Wobbly Layout')

scotsoft · July 19, 2012, 09:48:01 AM

What about getting an old ironing board and attaching the side of an old wardrobe or piece of 3mm plywood to it. This way you could fold it up and stand it against the wall when not in use.

Yesterday I was looking at a small folding table so I could work away on small projects while watching the telly at the same time

I could get one delivered for about £15 but the top was not that big an area, then the idea of reusing an ironing board came to mind as it is adjustable so I could sit or stand if I wanted to and it would slot into a cupboard for storage when not in use - now on the hunt for old ironing board

cheers John.