Genesee & Wyoming - The Bay Line

[Blazeman]

Bought a sheet of masonite at HD some years back. Wanted it ripped to 8". Was told store policy not to go less than than a foot for safety reasons, even with the saw being in a vertical stand which would take out any risk of fingers getting knicked.

Now if you would visit a more locally owned place with a mill service, you should be able to find them more accommodating although you would be charged something for the time involved. Maybe even worth it to drive elsewhere, (Mobile?) for that service assuming you have a way to bring it home.

[poppy2201]

I sort of had a small case of "cabin fever" and decided to take a road trip.  I had heard about a place about 50 miles from me that may have Baltic Birch plywood.  They didn't have any 18mm thick in stock at this time and to check back in a week.

I know, I could have called and saved a trip but I wanted to see how big of a operation they were and get a chance to meet the staff.  I must say I was impressed at the size in such a small town.  And the price was right, the last sheet they sold was at the $41 mark.  They probably will be my source for the plywood.

[poppy2201]

Bought a sheet of masonite at HD some years back. Wanted it ripped to 8". Was told store policy not to go less than than a foot for safety reasons, even with the saw being in a vertical stand which would take out any risk of fingers getting knicked.

Now if you would visit a more locally owned place with a mill service, you should be able to find them more accommodating although you would be charged something for the time involved. Maybe even worth it to drive elsewhere, (Mobile?) for that service assuming you have a way to bring it home.

The last layout I did have the BB store rip the masonite at 12" and no charge for ripping it.

[LKOrailroad]

If you have a Menards store nearby then check there. I bought real nice 3/4" 13 ply birch ply from them for $39 / sheet.

[poppy2201]

If you have a Menards store nearby then check there. I bought real nice 3/4" 13 ply birch ply from them for $39 / sheet.

Your suggestion is good but not within my reach.  The closest would be Owensboro, KY about 530 miles away.

[poppy2201]

I would like to thank nscalemike who pointed out a possible math error in a post I made in another thread.  I went back and checked my spreadsheet of cost comparisons for building the benchwork.  Sure enough I had fallen victim to the "old copy and paste dilemma".  I had forgot to change the divide by factor in three of the cells.  So I do only need one sheet of 4x8 plywood to construct my benchwork.

So, the final analysis of just the wood needed:

#2 or better whitewood - $74.88
Select Pine (no knots) - 177.06
Cabinet-grade Baltic Birch Plywood (ripped) - $41.00

Of course I haven't worked with the plywood method yet but you can see the difference in cost but no doubt there is no other route to go.  Don't ever think you can't do it and have to settle for whatever is available in dimensional lumber.  Do as I did if you have to and seek out someone who can perform the task for you.  Even if you have to settle for birch plywood at the BB stores and have them rip it for you.  Price per foot needed for construction with this method far exceeds any other and you are left with a more stable and straight product and a solid foundation for your pike.

Consumer Warning:  All of this is based on my local pricing, your mileage may vary.

[poppy2201]

I'm still looking at all my options in regard to plywood.  For the experts out there, would 5/8" Baltic Birch ripped to 3" wide be sufficient in regard to strength.  My modules will consist of a 36x48, 36x36, 30x48, 30x42 and a 36x30.  Legs will be 40" high and L-shaped.

Any input would be appreciated.

Regards,
Charles

[Philip H]

That should do well as a framing structure - especially if you go foam base and not more wood.  I tend to favor light construction - not a light as Ed mind you - ever since I saw Jim Ftizgerald give a benchwork construction clinic in Orland a gazillion years ago standing on a 3 inch tall box beam made of shirt cardboard.  Birch plywood will give you great stability dimensionally as long as you are reasonable in the load it needs to carry - and your module dimensions look reasonable.

[nscalemike]

My opinion is that would be fine, 5/8" v 3/4" isn't much difference.  If I recall correctly you are working in N-scale.  Weight typically is not the problem and I think the stability in 5/8" will be the same.  That being said, I'm not sure you will find 5/8" birch much less cost wise than 3/4".  If the issue is availability then I would go with 5/8" birch ply over dimensional lumber any day.  And 3" wide should also be fine.

I'm not an expert but my personal experiences have been good with any type of birch plywood.

Mike

[poppy2201]

Thanks Mike.  The issue is availability of 3/4".  I can get 5/8" Baltic Birch in 5x5 sheets.  The price locally (I have to drive 50 miles one way but that's okay) is $27 a sheet and I will need 2.  If you break that down it comes to 40 pieces and $1.35 per piece.  I'm going to need 36 pieces of that length.  Way better than #2 whitewood which is hit and miss with quality and way, way better than select pine.

I remember that Jim Hediger used 1/2 inch birch ripped to 3" wide to build a 4x8 table so I think I should be fine but just wanted some verification.

Regards,
Charles

[poppy2201]

That should do well as a framing structure - especially if you go foam base and not more wood.  I tend to favor light construction - not a light as Ed mind you - ever since I saw Jim Ftizgerald give a benchwork construction clinic in Orland a gazillion years ago standing on a 3 inch tall box beam made of shirt cardboard.  Birch plywood will give you great stability dimensionally as long as you are reasonable in the load it needs to carry - and your module dimensions look reasonable.

Thanks Philip.  I guess you posted while I was typing.  Road Trip!!

[poppy2201]

Road trip over.  Don't think I'll do that again anytime soon.  The 5x5 Baltic Birch would not fit inside my minivan.  Only had a 51" clearance to get it inside so I had to strap it to the roof and drive the 50 miles back and drop it off at my friends place doing an average of 40mph.

The birch looks good and we will probably get it ripped tomorrow afternoon.  Can't wait and probably start actual construction this weekend.  Yay!!

[poppy2201]

This is what my friend and I did this afternoon - ripped the birch plywood into (36) 60" long pieces:



Weekend project - start the benchwork.

[Dave Schneider]

Road trip over.  Don't think I'll do that again anytime soon.  The 5x5 Baltic Birch would not fit inside my minivan.  Only had a 51" clearance to get it inside so I had to strap it to the roof and drive the 50 miles back and drop it off at my friends place doing an average of 40mph.

The birch looks good and we will probably get it ripped tomorrow afternoon.  Can't wait and probably start actual construction this weekend.  Yay!!

Sounds like a slow trip. Was having it ripped once at the store an option? Since you are not building furniture with it I suspect it would have been fine. Just something to consider if you need to do this again. Looks like you have a good start. Nothing like a big pile of wood to get motivated!

Best wishes, Dave

[LKOrailroad]

Nothing like a big pile of wood to get motivated!

Plus if you are like me it makes a wonderful air freshener. Ah, the smell of fresh cut lumber in the morning.