I am about to start building my benchwork and my research has shown that we often over-build our bench. My 'empire' is HO. I am going to use Fir as the frame with a 1/2" Birch plywood - all covered with 2" of foam. My layout goes around the room and will be 2' wide and have runs of 10 and 12 feet. I plan on using cross pieces every 16" inches. So my question to those who may know: Could I use 1x3 Fir? It is almost half the cost of 1x4. .. James
I used 1x3's for the current layout, and by adding 1x1 (Ace Hardware tomato stakes) "cleats" at all points where two boards contact each other. Mass produced the cleats using a miter box. Attached with wood glue and clamps. Very impressed with the increased rigidity which is required for the section with the access opening.
When I built my layout I used a 1X2 L-girder style and glued 2" pink foam to the top of it. Now granted I am an N scaler but the same should work for HO. The beauty about this type of construction is it is VERY lightweight. My dad and I can fold 2 2'X8' modules face to face and pack them by ourselves with no trouble at all.
James- I don't know of any reason why one by three won't work. With 2" foam bonded atop, it should be plenty rigid. Boxcab E50
Agreed, and I would even question the use of the plywood below the foam. If this layout is unlikely to have a knee put through it from the bottom surface, the 2" foam supported every 24" by a joist of some kind, including your fir 1X3", will be plenty strong. You are merely adding weight by placing 1/2" ply under the foam. If you want a mounting surface for staples or for switch machines, you can just use cleats of plywood, or use 1/4" or 3/8".
