What to Avoid When Building a Lego City Table

In today's video we're just outlining a problem we created for ourselves when designing and building the Lego City. We decided to use 8 X 4 sheets of MDF timber for our table and build the city all along one wall at the back of the room. Unfortunately, one sheet of 8 X 4 does not fully support 5 baseplates and there's two inches of unsupported baseplates left near the wall. So we decided to share our building problems with you in order to allow you see the problem and hopefully avoid doing the same if you're designing your own Lego City.

[@starhunter2300]

My layout tables are basically a shape in center of my basement. It gives me complete access to everything. My parts storage is on perimeter walls. I have chronic back issues that prevents me from crawling under and up through standing holes. The tables are 30x60 inches and bolted together. I hope you are successful as I enjoy watching your updates.

[@brictronic]

Thanks Steve! The parts storage in my room is all on the floor under the city and it can be a nightmare finding space to build but I'll get there eventually. This Lego City is definitely not being built in a day😄

[@starhunter2300]

I meant U-shaped but you likely figured that out. I'm currently on my 3rd iteration of my city. City building is definitely a constant learning experience.

[@herschdm]

I have been quite busy and haven't seen any of your videos since update 20 and I have to say wow! Your city has turned out beautifully! Thanks for the inspiration and advice as I work on my own

[@brictronic]

Thanks Michael, appreciate the comment. Good luck with your own build!

[@BIGTAYLORNI]

I feel a rebuild coming on???. Lol. Great city layout you have got going mate. Well done.

[@brictronic]

Hahahaha, No! Not yet! I have to finish what I'm building first!😄

[@BIGTAYLORNI]

@@brictronic I've a plan in my head for my city, but it never seems to get started. Lol. Can't wait to see more of your city.

[@brictronic]

The best plans seem to get thrown out as soon as you start laying bricks! Good luck with your build when you get it started.

[@jaigarcia2507]

Super helpful thank you for sharing your that with a newbie

[@brictronic]

Thanks! You're Welcome.

[@cityofbricks]

Wow nice city!

[@Simon-T.]

I wonder why nobody builds on tables with wheels? You could then drag it out to work on the back and wheel it back against the wall when done. Maybe it's a weight issue? I've only just got back into Lego and so have not done a huge build like this yet myself.

[@brictronic]

I contemplated the wheels. It's not really an issue, can be done. But my full layout is U-Shaped so that's only one half, when all built, it won't be able to be moved.

[@billybob-zg4bx]

My thoughts exactly. Along with movable buildings. Think like one of those puzzles that you have to shift pieces around or multi level. Seems a lot of people don’t plan for future additions.

[@lifesabrick5104]

My first decision when I started my city was that I would have to be able to reach every modular at any time for sure. I have a 23 inch wide/deep table so I use the 3 inches behind the modulars for my wiring and then each modular and road plus sidewalk takes 20 inches all on mils plates.

[@brictronic]

Yeah, it's a decision that really needs to take everything into account. The biggest issue for us was the railway track and fitting that in with as many modulars as possible. But next time, I don't think I'll leave anywhere unreachable

[@AnAvgeek]

Cool

[@petermaris9697]

I am going for three plates deep. Maybe three and a half to keep three baseplates for buildinvs and roads and then around the perimeter the train

[@brictronic]

Yeah, it's a struggle with any more to be honest!

[@petermaris9697]

@brictronic I also have a kid to think off. But currently the table is also in the middle of the room. So she can walk all sides. Most of the storage is below the table.

[@mtgoat1016]

Always measure twice and cut once and therefore no thin strip needed for the back wall.

[@H311m4nthegreat]

First city I built was similar, 4 base plates deep. It was annoying af. I redesigned it and now it's 3 base plates deep around the walls and I have middle section. Sort of like this: |```|```| Way better in all aspects of managing it. I have space to walk in between and the tables are connected with bridges for the train at the edge that I can simply remove if I don't feel like crawling I did the best with the space I have available to me.

[@brictronic]

Yeah, the bridges between the gaps with walking space into each part of the city is definitely the way to go! But I'm too far gone now to go back! If I'm ever doing it again, I'll know what not to do🤣

[@H311m4nthegreat]

@@brictronic live and learn 🤣

[@wickedjoejoe8631]

Everything looks good on paper lmfao. You should have left room to walk around the layout.

[@_lex_ndre]

Maybe some of these issues could be avoided by using the international metric system.