New 13x7 Live Steam non Scenic Only G Scale LGB Track& HO Track..

Rob1962

Rob1962

Full Steam Ahead..
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The Modular Table was custom-built. The Backdrop will be Low Pile Green Astro Turf/Material. My table was built as a frame only so I must provide /install the planks. 3 to 4 Sections.
I will be using 3/4 inch Sandeply. I could use some tips from the forum before I begin the layout. The rear of the table will be against a wall with a backdrop of green Astro Turf/Material.I may need to move this table from time to time, but there is a commercial-grade short-pile rug underneath. Should I go through all the work of installing wheels or would those Furniture Slider pads work?Please, any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Happy Steaming.
 
Rob1962 said:
The Modular Table was custom-built. The Backdrop will be Low Pile Green Astro Turf/Material. My table was built as a frame only so I must provide /install the planks. 3 to 4 Sections.
I will be using 3/4 inch Sandeply. I could use some tips from the forum before I begin the layout. The rear of the table will be against a wall with a backdrop of green Astro Turf/Material.I may need to move this table from time to time, but there is a commercial-grade short-pile rug underneath. Should I go through all the work of installing wheels or would those Furniture Slider pads work?Please, any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Happy Steaming.
Click to expand...
Hm interesting question, those furniture sliders may work but a good set of easy larger swivel wheels with brakes would be a better option. And not just on 4 legs preferably one on each leg, there is likely to be a good bit of weight by the time you take in the base, your planks, astro turf, backscene and rolling stock.
 
Thank you for the advise,I never installed those must i drill holes to mount those wheels do you have a link on Ebay/Amazon.

Happy Steaming and Thank you.
Robert
 
Rob1962 said:
Thank you for the advise,I never installed those must i drill holes to mount those wheels do you have a link on Ebay/Amazon.

Happy Steaming and Thank you.
Robert
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Hm never managed to do Amazon links, search for heavy duty caster wheels look for a size of wheel around 2inch or mire.
 
Looking at the schematic you originally posted for your layout's support structure I do not think the Mianne system was designed for movement once in position, certainly not as one complete 13' x 7' unit. Especially on a "draggy" surface like a low pile rug. Look at the differing orientation, height and lack of stabilisation of the support legs. You will have a lot of weight sitting on those with 3/4" Sandeply. Unless they are braced there is a risk of collapse, even with furniture coasters under the legs. Likewise swivel wheels with brakes. As your layout legs are "self leveling", if you fit wheels you will loose its leveling element ? Then again I may be misinterpreting the schematic and underestimating the design of Mianne's bench work system.

My indoor Scalextric layout was a similar size at 13' x 8' as yours (at its deepest), so I appreciate the size, and all up weight. It was split onto 3 x 3/8" (not 3/4") ply boards on 2" × 2" perimeter support frames. A 2"x 2" leg on each corner and an extra pair at midpoint on the 2 larger units. They sat 1' lower at 20" to your set up. Those individual panels were leveled by adjusting a single coach bolt in the base of each of the support legs. They sat on a smooth laminate floor initially, quarry tile after I moved house. Each panel was constructed instu or lifted into place and then never moved. No extra space or need to. The track layout and its extensive scenic elements were all demountable, nothing was glued or nailed in place, just friction and gravity.

I'm sorry if I seem to never give you an answer that offers a quick, simple, or even any, solution Rob. However, I get the impression from your previous posts, and with that Shay loco too, that you wanted a particular outcome and so to speak have put the horse before the cart on this one. We have have all done it, I myself am a multiple offender. Sorry I cannot be more positive. Max

Your actual layout support structure schematic from Mianne ?
13x7 Sandeply 4 section 3_4.png
 
If you go with wheels, use large enough ones so that when you move the table they will not get stuck in the indentations they made in the rug. Good casters are not inexpensive.
 
Thank you for your advice.I will talk with the table manufacturer and find out the weight limit for this table.As far as moving it, it will be moved only in an emergency to get to the water main shutoff valve, but I will search for caster wheels at least 2 inches.Thank you again for all the assistance on my new upgraded Live Steam Layout.
 
Think about using larger the 2" wheels. Even on short pile carpeting the smaller wheels will tend to find a home.
 
Thank you Dan, Yes i just have to check the measurments of the bottom of the Legs first.
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but some diagonal bracing on the legs would make it a lot stronger structure for moving around.
It looks like a great table but I don't think it was designed to be moved. If a wheel snags a lot of sideways force would be on that leg.
Some light angle iron or timber would work well.
 
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grizzmo said:
I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but some diagonal bracing on the legs would make it a lot strong structure for moving around.
It looks like a great table but I don't think it was designed to be moved. If a wheel snags a lot of sideways force would be on that leg.
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Yes, I mentioned that. Max
 
Opinions Please Live Steam Only 13x7 Non Scenic Indoor Layout,Do i nail/Screw down planks?????,Astroturf base and LGB/Aristocraft Tracks eventualy,I just do not want to make any mistakes at this point so please flood this post with all replys,Much appreciated.Thank you,If your not sure what i am trying to achieve exactly just ask me.

Happy Steaming..
 

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  • 13x7 Sandeply 4 section 3:4.png
    13x7 Sandeply 4 section 3:4.png
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Rob1962 said:
Opinions Please Live Steam Only 13x7 Non Scenic Indoor Layout,Do i nail/Screw down planks?????,Astroturf base and LGB/Aristocraft Tracks eventualy,I just do not want to make any mistakes at this point so please flood this post with all replys,Much appreciated.Thank you,If your not sure what i am trying to achieve exactly just ask me.

Happy Steaming..
Click to expand...
Screw them, nailing will likely cause issues if you wish to change or move anything. In your damp environment, brass not brassed screws would not rust, just pre drill (smaller size than screw) and countersink holes.
 
dunnyrail said:
Screw them, nailing will likely cause issues if you wish to change or move anything. In your damp environment, brass not brassed screws would not rust, just pre drill (smaller size than screw) and countersink holes.
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Thank you,Sorry to be petty could you send a pic what type Brass Screws,Also can i just roll out the Astroturf and Screw down the track hold Astroturf down? So basically Astro turf on Planks and Screwed down Track.Thats it.BTW this is for LIVE STEAM only.
 
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This is the sort of thing you need. It's worth drilling a pilot hole 1-2mm smaller than the diameter of the screw if you are going to use brass ones, as they have a tendency to shear if forced. Decking screws generally don't need a hole drilling, and are cheaper.
I'd just flop the astroturf on the ply initially, as it would be harder to adjust your track layout should you wish to. I have used silicone sealant to fix down the astroturf on my outdoor layout, but that's a very different environment!
 
Northsider said:
View attachment 356593
This is the sort of thing you need. It's worth drilling a pilot hole 1-2mm smaller than the diameter of the screw if you are going to use brass ones, as they have a tendency to shear if forced. Decking screws generally don't need a hole drilling, and are cheaper.
I'd just flop the astroturf on the ply initially, as it would be harder to adjust your track layout should you wish to. I have used silicone sealant to fix down the astroturf on my outdoor layout, but that's a very different environment!
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Perfect i really appreciate your quick response and this seems easy enough about how many should i use i have an indoor 13x7 LGB/Aristocraft Track
 
Rob1962 said:
Perfect i really appreciate your quick response and this seems easy enough about how many should i use i have an indoor 13x7 LGB/Aristocraft Track
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I'd probably space the screws every 200 -300mm (8 - 12 inches), but to be honest, it isn't critical: gravity will hold the ply in place, the screws are largely there to stop the ply sliding, and to keep the joints between the sheets of ply level and butted up against each other.
 
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