I'm in the pre-planning stage of another n scale small layout and my mind is wondering. That's what we call thinking when you get up in age, but that's another story.
Anyway, past layouts have been the traditional open grid with plywood sub-roadbed. Usually 1x4''s around the edge, 1x3 cross members, and 1/2" plywood for the top. This has worked well except for what now is a major drawback for me; weight and portability.
Since I'm thinking about a 34x80 size, my initial thought was to consider a hollow core door with a foam top. But then the wiring and switch machines would hang below the bottom surface of the door and I want to be able to sit the layout on a flat surface if needed. I could build a 1x4 frame around the door but then why do I need a door to begin with when I could just mount 2" of foam on the open grid.
I'm beginning to get a headache. The question I'm getting to is that I'm now thinking about making the entire benchwork out of foam: 1 or 1-1/2 inch foam cut into 4" and 3" strips for the grid, and a 2" thickness piece for the top. Small gussets of foam in the corners and elsewhere for bracing if needed. The layout will sit on sawhorses or cabinets, so legs are not really needed for now. Switch machines could be mounted on 1/8 masonite pads and glued to the bottom of the foam top.
Anyone done this? Would there be too much "flex" or "twist" in a layout made with all foam benchwork?
Jim Cullen
Anyway, past layouts have been the traditional open grid with plywood sub-roadbed. Usually 1x4''s around the edge, 1x3 cross members, and 1/2" plywood for the top. This has worked well except for what now is a major drawback for me; weight and portability.
Since I'm thinking about a 34x80 size, my initial thought was to consider a hollow core door with a foam top. But then the wiring and switch machines would hang below the bottom surface of the door and I want to be able to sit the layout on a flat surface if needed. I could build a 1x4 frame around the door but then why do I need a door to begin with when I could just mount 2" of foam on the open grid.
I'm beginning to get a headache. The question I'm getting to is that I'm now thinking about making the entire benchwork out of foam: 1 or 1-1/2 inch foam cut into 4" and 3" strips for the grid, and a 2" thickness piece for the top. Small gussets of foam in the corners and elsewhere for bracing if needed. The layout will sit on sawhorses or cabinets, so legs are not really needed for now. Switch machines could be mounted on 1/8 masonite pads and glued to the bottom of the foam top.
Anyone done this? Would there be too much "flex" or "twist" in a layout made with all foam benchwork?
Jim Cullen