I need some good reasons to convinse my parents into letting me replace the sawhorse under my 4x8 table with some solid 2x4 frame work. Any suggestions?
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Plead for the safety of their money and new life skills for you. Allow me to write your speech. Maestro, violin please...
"Mom, Dad, I know we've talked about this before (if you haven't, skip that line), but I would like to address the issue of my train table (one last time.) You see, although the sawhorse's are working at the moment, my layout lies in peril of an accidental bump, which could destabalize and compromise not only the layout, but my safety as well. If such an occurence would happen, think about the money it would cost to repair the table and any number of the costly engines and rolling stock, and the psychological affects which would be incurred. If you would allow me the use of a saw and some money for wood, I could build a simple but stable table. In the process of building the improved layout, I would be learning basic carpentry skills which I could carry with me through life. Thank you for your time and consideration. I shall be waiting in the car for a ride to the local lumber store. Humbly, your loving child (insert your name here.)"
Print that out and read it word for word. If that doesn't help, you could throw yourself to the ground and wail. Worked for my nephew a couple of times.
Good luck!
All I can say is be honest and tell the truth to them.I have had my house for just over 9 years now and I just cut a hole thru my garage into the breezway it was a tough decission but 2 years ago I lost my right leg and have been home for the past 9 months with nothing to do and I wanted to get a hobby so i decided to get back into the trains.I may be a little slow but when I have a good day I can say thanks to the trains,Oh I'm only 44 years old Scot Pensgard
Thanks for the responses guys! I ended up talking them into getting just a 2x4 frame around the table and some beefier sawhorses that I can screw the table to. Oh, and I may be allowed to cash in on some of that Fastrack that Menards has on sale too! 
So the speech worked?
Glad to hear things worked out for you!
Is your frame around the perimeter only, or do you have some pieces in the middle?
In my experience, two pieces running across the width of the 4 by 8 sheet, spaced evenly, are good to have.
I got a 2x4 frame around the perimeter with 1 brace in the middle. Its rock solid, not going anywhere at all! It weighs about 175 pounds!
Why stay with sawhorses? Do you need to move or stow away the table from time
to time? If you don't, then four 2X4 legs with diagonal bracing would make every-
thing nice and sturdy.
Hoppy
quote:I got a 2x4 frame around the perimeter with 1 brace in the middle. Its rock solid, not going anywhere at all! It weighs about 175 pounds!
Sounds good!
Originally Posted by HOPPY:
Why stay with sawhorses? Do you need to move or stow away the table from time
to time? If you don't, then four 2X4 legs with diagonal bracing would make every-
thing nice and sturdy.
Hoppy
I have to add my voice to Hoppy's here. What is the purpose of staying with the sawhorses, you might ask yourself. If it is portability, may I suggest you consider constructing 2x4 legs and attaching them with "carriage bolts" (I was told that's what they are called,) as you can see illustrated in these two photos of some of the underside (side-skirting has been removed temporarily) of my layout. Those legs have made a platform (mine is 3/4" plywood on a 2x4 frame) very sturdy (mine has been up since 1995 and includes many, many excursions by me walking atop it) and , yet, these sections are portable whenever I remove the bolts.
Just a thought.
Frank M. of Layout Refinements
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