Fen End Pit's Blog

Like it a lot. What ply are you using? Poplar? Any other light ply? I suppose with the standard stuff from the DIY shops it will not work.

Even my baseboard was made traditional (with milled finger joints) it has some similarities. It looks like you will fix legs into the corners - there will be quite a force on these legs -so cross-braces are a must or the parts holding the leg will break off.

see here my version.

Hi Vecchio

 

I'm just using standard 'laser grade' 6mm birch ply from SLEC http://www.slecuk.com/balsa-wood/Birch-Plywood.html

 

Yes I have made a 'slot' in the corner for a leg. I'm planning to make these from 21mm square timber, There will be two legs and a joining piece between the pair about 100mm from each end. Half way along each board you'll see a bracket hanging down with two holes in it. The plan is that the leg 'pair' at each end then has two diagonals going up to this bracket at the front and back of the board.

 

I'm building the layout primarily for home use where the support system will be part of a row of bookshelves. I am planning that the layout will be transportable, rather then portable (Fen End Pit is quite enough to exhibit with), but maybe occasionally it will go out and need legs. I thought it was better to make some provision now rather than to meet an exhibition deadline!

 

David

Well you got the right stuff. 3 guesses where my wood comes from - SLEC as well. but I went for 6mm poplar ply, as this is softer and very light. I worked with this material on a layout in the past, it is just brilliant - only I would rather use 9mm than 6 - but here in the UK it is hard to get.

 

Using the diagonal braces the danger of ripping out the brackets is practically solved. All the best with your lay-out. I will follow your progress.

Vecchio