Thoughts on optimizing cookie cutter roadbed?

[MK]

-- it's designed to move if I ever decide to leave the Peoples Republic,

As in New Jersey?

[NtheBasement]

Datum surface... must remember that term. Much more elegant than what I’ve been using. 

@Sokramiketes's layout is named the GD&T.  It features the Flatness Monster and the biggest town is Concentricity.

[Lemosteam]

Note that Pete did not mention 1/4” plywood. Lauan is laminated, but it is not plywood, per se. Lauan is very smooth, much less expensive, can be cut with a knife, and is very strong and flexible. It is primarily used under floors to smooth out the subfloor and protect from nail pops.

Lauan is exactly what I would use for a girder/riser layout, unless one had to walk on it.

Here I used it in cookie cutter mode for my switchback module.

[Point353]

I have a double level N also .. mostly a series of "modules"  1x4 or 2x4 and 4x4 end loops with yard areas solid plywood tops -- it's designed to move if I ever decide to leave the Peoples Republic, or easy to throw into the dumpster when my ticket gets punched.  The only place I would ever need to climb on the benchwork is around some utility lines but the 24" width makes it fairly easy to those items.

Can you work on the underside of the upper level - to replace a switch machine, for example - without leaning on the lower level?

[John]

Can you work on the underside of the upper level - to replace a switch machine, for example - without leaning on the lower level?

Yes and no .. depends on the location .. approximately 20-40% is 24" wide -- with 12" above ..  the remainder is 12" lower level, 12" upper level ..  my lower level is 40-44" elevation . so it's not that difficult to lean in ..

[peteski]

Note that Pete did not mention 1/4” plywood. Lauan is laminated, but it is not plywood, per se. Lauan is very smooth, much less expensive, can be cut with a knife, and is very strong and flexible. It is primarily used under floors to smooth out the subfloor and protect from nail pops.

Exactly.  https://homeguides.sfgate.com/luan-wood-99466.html

[Angus Shops]

Holy cripes! I was  local lumberyard today for a completely unrelated reason and had a look at lumber prices. A single sheet of 3/4 T&G ply is over $100.00! But I did see a few sheets of 5/8 Birch ply for $41.00 and sheets of Maple and Oak for a bit more. These must be old stock, but I suppose the lesson is have a good look at what’s on the shelves. $41.00 per sheet for the Birch seems like a good deal.

[CRL]

The price of construction lumber has gone waaay up. The lumber mills were largely shut down due to Covid. Also, demand spiked due to very low mortgage interest rates. We got our new home largely built and missed most of the price increases, but we did have some delays due to supply chain shortages. My new neighbor who hasn’t started construction yet is suffering sticker shock big time & isn’t happy about it.

[wazzou]

The lumber mills were largely shut down due to Covid.

Nope.

[CRL]

Maybe not in your area, but they were in several areas.

[wazzou]

I really doubt it as they were deemed essential businesses.
I’ve been buying lumber from Sawmills for nearly 30 years and none in my area, ***The entire West Coast, Inland NW (Idaho-Montana) British Columbia, Canada and other mills I deal with in areas like Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas...etc, were ever closed due to Covid.

[pedro]

It’s a commodity, subject to many market forces. Contracts are signed many months in advance. Prices are approaching +200% increase due largely to unanticipated demand due to COVID shutdowns. (Not talking about the mills)  Real estate is off the charts; new home starts + remodeling as people flee the cities or hunker down and take on major remodeling projects; rebuilding homes lost to the fires/hurricanes last year; people with newfound  “hobby time” taking up DIY projects, woodworking (or building layouts!) are all spiking demand.

Don’t expect any relief from this anytime soon. Just like the gas prices that don’t come down when oil futures dip.

Anyone want to talk ammo prices next? At least you can still find lumber to buy...

[Sokramiketes]

@Sokramiketes's layout is named the GD&T.  It features the Flatness Monster and the biggest town is Concentricity.

The datum is the rule and guide of all modular model railroading. The square, to square our actions. And the compass to circumscribe all minimum radius.

Be taken and accepted by all brothers and fellows.