Jump to content
 
  • entries
    54
  • comments
    185
  • views
    41,479

More woodworking for Freshwater

Ian Morgan

Entry posted by Ian Morgan in The Layout

716 views

 Share

As I have said before, woodworking is not my speciality, but I am building my own layout instead of helping build a club layout, so I have to do everything. Before advancing with scenic work, I really wanted a secure case or lid to protect the layout in transit or storage, and before the next exhibition, I wanted to have adequate lighting in place.I looked at what we had done previously, and what other exhibition layouts are using, and then decided to do something completely different. I decided to make a lid for the layout that would also serve as the lighting gantry.

 

I am using ready-made steel trestles to support the layout, so supports for the lighting gantry had to attach to these. I made them attach to the part that can be adjusted for height, so the gantry height adjusts with the layout height. The first photo shows the 'clamping' arrangement of one of the supports, before the clamping plate has been bolted on. The next photo shows the support completely claped in place. It may be a bit over-engineered, but I read somewhere that it is safer if amateurs over-engineer things.

DSC03994.JPG.dd20fbd58735898f5058360451aa4796.JPG

 

DSC03995.JPG.f4b3164ffc9261e225d4f771078c8c94.JPG

 

 

 

The layout lid (lighting gantry) hangs on the horizontal arms of the two supports. It actually overhangs the front of the layout by a couple of inches in the hope that things on the front edge of the layout will get adequate light. The next photo shows this hanging arrangement, and also a couple of carry handles for manhandling the layout. With the lid bolted to the layout, I can still carry it single-handed. Four 20W flourescent lights, designed for under kitchen cupboards, are installed in the lid, two along the front side, and two along the rear, which I hope will cut shadows. The lid design was constrained in that it could not add any extra length to the layout, more than two layers of plywood, otherwise it would not fit in my van.

 

 

DSC03997.JPG.00255c917808ead3cd9752858e098191.JPG

So, that is it, so far. White undercoat has been applied, the final paint finish will come later. A backscene board has been cut, and the fiddle yard will be boxed, and a shelf at the back between the lighting supports will carry the controls. Some curtains will complete the picture. Now I can get on with the scenery and keep it safe.

DSC03999.JPG.9e320374244501450c051e6358330893.JPG

 

Edited by Ian Morgan
re-inserting images

  • Like 1
 Share

7 Comments

Recommended Comments

  • RMweb Gold
bcnPete
  • RMweb Gold

Interesting to see a deep pelmet and I like the way it appears to float over the layout - is that decoration along the front edge or do they function as something else? (aside from the fixing holes)

Link to comment
  • RMweb Premium
Ian Morgan
  • RMweb Premium

Yes, the front will get a paint job to resemble a station awning, using a black marker pen, probably. The rest of the woodwork will end up black. I always end up being over generous in height for lids. I did build it before I got the lights, though. Still, the extra depth will hide even the rear lights from direct view.

Link to comment
  • RMweb Premium
Ian Morgan
  • RMweb Premium

The square cutouts in the bottom edge of the lid fit over the trestles when the lid is on the layout, and you can see the bolt holes at the four corners for attaching the lid to the layout for transport. I will drill vertical holes in the ends of the two support arms to drop a bolt into to stop the lighting gantry sliding off the ends during an exhibition.

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
bcnPete
  • RMweb Gold

its just you start off by saying woodwork is not your speciality...but there's some pretty nifty cutting been done to the front edge...clearly you are pretty good at it ;)

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...