Episode 1: Building Good Model Railroad Benchwork For Under $15

[@craiginbatonrouge8161]

I had to check the date of this video… 12 years old and still very relevant and useful. I’m not a carpenter and your video Nick, has me thinking…maybe even I could benefit from subscribing. Calming narratives with awesome background music. Thanks Nick, time to make a table…

[@1AMERICANWORKER]

I have 2 suggestions that will save you some time and work. First,instead of ripping a 2x4 for the legs buy 2 2x2s. I am not a big fan of thin legs so I would use 2x3s for the legs any way.Use 1 5/8 deck screws,they are self drilling and the heads are self setting. Put a wooden spacer were the cross braces intersect and fasten both braces to it. You will be amazed at how much more rigid this will make the bench.

[@planeshavings42]

+Michael Aumick GREAT ADIVSE, THANK'S Duey

[@MariaMora31]

Many thanks, been searching for "building a model railway baseboard" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Piyaliyah Uncommunicative Preference - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? It is an awesome one of a kind product for discovering how to build a model train railroad easily minus the headache. Ive heard some amazing things about it and my co-worker got excellent results with it.

[@iancpulpo]

Great tutorial. I have just finished making this. I used 10mm bolts to secure the legs, so that it could be unassembled easily. I assembled the legs at the back one inch in, which means that they are not screwed to the outer frame, the same with the front ones. Very pleased with the outcome. Many thanks again for a great tutorial 10/10. PS: The wood cost me £48 in the UK.

[@Browneye57]

Simple and effective...like it. Some of them WAY over-complicate this. Since mine is 6x7, I'm using two modules of 3x7 on an el-girder base much like you have here, so it can be easily disassembled and transported when necessary. With locking casters on the legs, it will be super easy to move around or lock in place.

[@marka5478]

Shouldn't the legs be fastened to the table frame with carriage bolts, washers and wing nuts to allow the legs to be detached for moving?

[@kegome89]

Nicely put together video. It was almost like watching an episode of "How It's Made." Good job!

[@lilianamedina6635]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to discover how to build a model railroad layout plans try Megarno Railroad Membership Magician (just google it ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my mate got cool success with it.

[@jeanlouislebourgeois3368]

Excellent Mate Thank you, and the good music in back we tough is Joe Satriani with his Wah Guitar....good!

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@sigzor85 Thanks for the comment, but the reason we did not do this is because we placed the pink foam board directly onto the wood. There was no need for a wood top. The size of the benchwork is 8'X2.5" on the table top. I hoped this helped.

[@carlosalvim5105]

Very nice and easyto build train table. Also would worK nicely for a small slot car track table !

[@kennyjohnson8081]

Great video. The music was OK with me, but others have spoken. "The Grudge" by Tool is 8 minutes and 37 seconds. Just let that last glorious half a minute play free.

[@terrykift2613]

I like this method for my new shelf layout, cheap is good for me. What size furring strips did you use (I assume you meant furring and not firing?). Also, how about t-nuts on the bottom of the legs to level the layout. Keep up the good work!!

[@thedyslexic9936]

I made a table and used 2 1x3s at each corner screwed together first to make an L-shape and then attached to the table...then a cross piece from side to side. wasn't too concerned about bracing lengthwise but might try it next time. the way you have it with doubled up boards on each side of the legs makes it difficult to drill holes for wiring I would think

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Excellent tutorial. Thank-you...

[@KlausGunther]

Im gonna add an extra 1 and a half foot to my width but thanks for this guide, I had no idea on how to start my table!

[@ForvoQuizlet]

Fantastic - 11 years later!

[@planeshavings42]

Great bench work, you do wonderful work, please don't take this as a rub, but having been a cabinet builder for 26 plus years, please take a little advise about screwing into end grain, end grain has very low holding ability, a very simple alternative would be to get a pocket hole drill and drill from the cross piece into the the main board or visa-versa you will add many times more strength, and it's just as easy. Thank's for sharing your work, and please continue to do so, as far as the music, if someone doesn't like they have a simple alternative of pressing their mute button. Duane Hampton

[@cofrbooboo]

Also, if you do have to screw into the end grain it is vital that you drill a pilot hole to prevent splitting. I'd also use drywall screws instead of regular wood screws as they have a deeper thread and will bite a little better. Whichever screw you use and however you put them in use a good wood glue. You wouldn't believe how much stronger the joints will be. And please, lose the music. Very annoying.

[@openeyes-411]

DEFINITELY agree with these end grain comments, especially since the rim boards support the entire table. Another alternative to use if you don't have a pocket jig would be to fasten 2"x2" cleats at the junctions, which would be infinitely stronger as well. Otherwise nice build!

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@HarryComa Im glad to hear it helped. Hope to see some progress videos soon!

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@LocalRailfan I think that DCC on a layout is a preference; however, it depends how much are you willing to spend, how many trains you want to run at a time, and do you have locomotives that already support DCC because if not, you will either have to buy new ones or purchase decoders for the locomotives you already have. I have an HO scale railroad but I think that DCC would be the same for every scale.

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@LocalRailfan No problem. I think you made the right choice by choosing DCC for your layout. Good luck building it. What era are you modeling

[@MrBillCNW]

Thank you your video is very informative and I’m gonna use it to build my Layout thank you for sharing

[@ModelloursWorkshop]

Very good tutorial. Great channel too.

[@donchilcutt63]

I found 1x3's at Lowes that were perfect and yes they were furring strips

[@400exNick]

Thankyou for making this video you gave me alot of ideas for making my new layout!

[@iRECKONER]

I'm brand new to Model Railroading. I don't have a layout yet, ha it's on my dining room table now (I'm single in a 1 bedroom). But now that i've seen this i'll be asking for Home Depot gift cards for Xmas :) Should be fun building these. My living room is going to be invaded by several of these for my new hobby :)

[@larrymonske8086]

sheet screws saves you money on screws and they can be used outdoor too.

[@PinakBERT]

Using a kreg jig for pocket hole screws would prolly be faster. Notching the legs to go under the table would make it stronger as well. The shearing strength of screws is a variable. Then again hopefully its not a lot of weight on top of the table.

[@TJRohyans]

Just an FYI to anyone watching this, the price of wood has gone up in 3 years! Just the wood and screws cost me over $55 today (8/21/13). Of course I also bought 'Select' Pine, so you probably could save a little there.

[@ronaldo23425]

Yeah true. I bought all the wood today for two of these modules and it cost me about $70 at Menards. But I got a 1/2 plywood top and 2x2s for legs (not included in the materials on this video). I used the cheapest quality pine too. Wood is expensive. Great video though, thanks. I didn't mind the music.

[@LocalRailfan]

Thanks for replying. DCC is probably a lot more flexible. To give you some info on my models, I have all KATO locomotives and tracks (engines are DCC equipped) and I have a Zephyr DCC power pack. I am projecting to start my lauout next Winter.

[@rhikdavis]

Is it done yet?

[@gerlandkent6377]

👍

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

Nice, but id have to use different wood. Allergic to pine

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@LocalRailfan If you are not willing to spend a lot of money DCC might not be for you, but keep in mind with DCC you are able to control more than one locomotive at a time and control sound features as well. Hope that helped. If you have anymore questions just let me know and I will do my best to answer them.

[@Elodea]

You might want to correct your Bill of Materials. They are "furring strips" not firing strips.

[@Hockey47Mitsch]

That's pretty good, I might use that method for my layout.:)

[@jlwii2000]

do you cover the top surface of the table in another video? If not, what wood type and thickness do you use for the top?

[@FredRorex]

1st. GreemanBelg-Mute the music if it does not appeal to you :-) Nick. Good vid. It looks like good, basic benchwork. I wanted to email/pvt msg you, but didn't have an option. In the vid, you give a list of materials, but you mis-spelled FURRING Strips. :-)

[@crashj]

Screwed together is easier to modify.

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@sigzor85 Yes you do. Sorry for the confusion. Happy New Yaer.

[@stevenyoung7277]

I noticed that you didn't use a tape measure on the bench top, for all four corners checking for square

[@Hockey47Mitsch]

I don't really have a good layout right now and I will b doing a segment in a week or until I get materials.

[@ModelRailroadTV]

Thank you for the comment, hope to see the progress on your layout.

[@davidcurtis5398]

They make countersink drill. Use one and eliminate one complete step. Better yet use pocket hole screws on the basic frame and forget about all of the work.

[@d.l.hemmingway3758]

I am looking at using some sheets of 3/4 inch plywood I already have, but I guess for the side pieces and the cross pieces I am going to cut from one sheet I would still drill pilot holes, correct?

[@d.l.hemmingway3758]

Had to sell the plywood. Seems some folks thought I didn't have the room to build the railroad I envisioned.

[@mistabigshow]

nice job

[@waldenhouse]

It's not adviseable to screw into end grain either. A hole should be drilled through the side grain and a dowel glued in. Then screw into the end grain so the screw binds into the dowel.

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@metronorthrr4life correct, by 2 and a half feet wide. Thanks for the comment!

[@kennethsmith9956]

Should you use glue and screws or it doesn’t matter

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@rrlcommish I use a program called Sony Vegas and it comes with a plugin called cine-scores. That program generates the royalty free music I use in my videos. Hope this helps.

[@modeltrainteen95]

for the inner supports properly

[@moantler]

Rub soap on screws they'll go in better ans less chance of splitting cross pieces.

[@vaisakhps4u]

moantler interesting points ,if anyone else wants to discover how to get a job at the railroadhow to get a job on the railroad try Elumpa Railroad Jobs Alchemist (just google it ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my mate got amazing results with it.

[@nikohristev4813]

+Vaisakh ps microworks xD

[@planeshavings42]

+Vaisakh ps Rubbing soap or wax on nails or screws is an old house framer or carpenters trick, but actually putting wax in a little of any solvent such as kerosene or cheap paint thinner and dipping the screws or nails into them is easier than rubbing it on them, but but again it seriously weakens the finished structure. Duane Hampton

[@rrlcommish]

Great videos, just subsscribed. Out of curiosity, what is that music playing in the background?

[@jwrailve3615]

9 years later I was just at Home Depot the wood was double that price,

[@bellbottomtear]

Did you add a plywood top or just add the foam alone?

[@LocalRailfan]

This was very helpful. Would you recommend DCC for an N scale layout? Ryan

[@elleryparsons5766]

EveryBody constructs their table I am not playing music when constructing my tables.

[@leeverink32]

the wood is soft enough to sink flush with the wood by them selfes

[@TheOriginalBadger]

And its furring, not firing

[@modeltrainteen95]

so if my layout is 4ft wide what measurements do i need of what size to cut em

[@daveblaedow8419]

You say you use 50 1" 5/8" wood screws but they come in different diameters so what number screw do I use?

[@derekmulready1523]

As a general rule no8 is sufficient

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@bellbottomtear just foam. hope this answers your question.

[@thornwellrichburg9989]

This seems to be an real easy bench to me but I was wondering if I could use the same design to make an O gauge model.

[@edmundsumner7164]

I KNOW that's a crock. No way you found straight 1 x 3's at Home Depot

[@dimpijogi2856]

Not certain about the points made but ,if anyone else wants to learn about how to build a model railroad layout and scenery try Pycanta Model Railroaders Protocol (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my mate got great success with it.

[@eduardoarevalo3769]

I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else trying to find out model railroad track layouts try Panlarko Amazing Railroad Planner (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my work buddy got amazing success with it.

[@donchilcutt63]

Edmund go to LOWES ...

[@bill-nj6fc]

why pilot holes ?

[@metronorthrr4life]

It's 8ft long right?

[@ON8EI]

Thanks but kill the music.

[@ModelRailroadTV]

@mistabigshow Thanks

[@daltonclinton2424]

What size was that table

[@rhikdavis]

2.5 feet wide by 8 feet I think.

[@stephenjames4937]

This is a great, helpful video, but the music is a bit invasive. Lower in the mix would have been better.

[@raoulcruz4404]

Two-Dog James The "music" is annoying.

[@theblytonian3906]

+Two-Dog James Stumbling on this channel, I lstopped the vid immediately the "noise" started. Now I'm leaving. Alternative "how to" tutes abound on You Tube without pointless brand intros and even more pointless jarring background noise. Arrrgh!!!! Subscribe? Let me think about that for a half a nanosecond..... o.O

[@footballboots100]

Two-Dog James The music is fantastic space rock keep it up

[@michaelstanco8508]

I am so Left Wing please don't play that INVASIVE music as my unborn children might be affected Fantastic video nice music too.

[@bobkohl6779]

Not a good choice for music. Incredibly annoying

[@cedrickmoore5459]

Should metal "screws" not always be called bolts?

[@rhikdavis]

Yes. You can't screw a bolt.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Good luck to all finding clean 1 x 3 in 2024. LOL. Most all home center lumber looks like BOAT planking.

[@markfisher4450]

Got as far as 2:00; Couldn't stand the music. Far, far better without it

[@geoffreylee5199]

Poor choice in music, detracts from program.

[@CaptainColdyron222]

Geoffrey Lee go eat a plate of shit.

[@davec9399]

I could not sit through this video due to the music. Absolutely terrible! Out of 7 minutes..I was able to skim through in a minute and a half

[@baronjutter]

Yeah, the music is very distracting and hard on the ears

[@soub7]

don't you guys know how to delete sound on your computer?

[@soub7]

You don't need to listen to the guy, just watch it without the talking. Very self explanatory

[@stephenmcallister2169]

i survived it for you

[@lpmorgan90]

Just sounds like your being superficial... yeah I hate this style of music but the subject is of great interest so I sit through it

[@arminali6464]

interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about building a model railroad layout try Panlarko Amazing Railroad Planner ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my mate got amazing success with it.

[@VA3ELX]

I don't see the point in using counter sink. It's all rough lumber and most likely will be covered with cloth later. Your not making a finished wood table that needs to be neat. Secondly why not just mount the legs at each corner and brace it on the inside corners to make a secondary lower table or shelf for all the supplies and boxes. Using cross members for braces just wastes the space, unless you got lots of it elsewhere. Personally not my choice of table to use on a layout. Can be built cheap, yes, but a little more thought into the design would of been better also.

[@Nerfball6]

He is planning on attaching fascia boards. Not a cloth curtain. That is why the screws need to be counter sunk.

[@Nerfball6]

Also, by insetting the legs, he does not need as many cross supports for the top as it helps prevent sagging in the middle. It also helps to keep the legs from getting kicked if people are walking around it for viewing.

[@cedrickmoore5459]

The music!? You take much medication?

[@candjur1]

Nice video, crappy music

[@ricksmith7810]

Kill the music.

[@p165711]

Annoying guitar soundtrack.

[@ruthiebergese2004]

honestly if i were to do this, the only thing i would do differently would be using a hammer and nails instead of a drill and screws.

[@rhikdavis]

Why?

[@johnpratt1661]

He is making this over-complicated. You don't have to mark both sides of the cross members, just mark the centers and match up the marks. Takes less time to do. Even carpenters will not mark both sides of joists or cross members, they will either mark the centers or one side and place an x or another mark to show where the joists or cross member is placed.

[@plunkervillerr1529]

You can`t bough a 2x4 for $15 .