Ditch the church tables?

You probably are thinking on the outside and lowest.  Generally one has the widest loop on the outside and works up and inward as in the pciture below.  The 72 (diameter) track will take a minimum of 75 inches width across the layout.  That leaves you no edge at all - the track ballast would run right to both edges.  80 inches works better.   Inside of that outmost loop, and up one level, is a 60" loop, then in and up again to 48" and at the top of set of 36" loops that overlap. 

Regardless, designing a layout is a lot of fun, so enjoy your scheming and dreaming.

Designing a track plan is so very individual that I wouldn't tell anyone what I think.

 

For the tables, lumber benchwork is the norm, but new wood is expensive.  And you say that your skills lie elsewhere than carpentry.   I say, if the 2 tables worked well, feel free to use whatever you want.  My first big layout had all or parts of a sewing table, a desk, cinder blocks, a wooden bed, a microwave cart and scrap lumber.   

Michael,

 

The tables can be useful for part of your layout.  When I think of tables like that, I think of yard modules.  I'd probably use foam board as a scenery base but whatever works for you.  The only concern I have with tables like that is that they tend to move around and not give as firm a base as you might want.  You don't want an earthquake every time you nudge the table.

Thanks all... Lee - genius. Wish I had the money to hire you for my track crew!

4x8' church tables

 

Those are large tables.

 

  --jcr

I use 2.5 x 6 ft plastic folding tables. Real easy to setup and take down when needed. My last setup, which used a few extension bridges, was 8 x 18 ft.

I would say the answer to your question lies in how strong the church tables are. If they are wobbly and thrown together, they should be rebuilt or tossed. If they are solid, non-folding, non-shaky pieces of work, go ahead and use them. You say you aren't real comfortable with carpentry, so that's a factor. Personally, I like to do woodworking and my layout is built like a piece of furniture - but it took me a couple of years to do the benchwork. To each his own. If the tables are strong enough and don't wobble, no reason not to use them. 

I use four folding tables that I locked together semi-permanently for a layout. Works well..It is a major advantage in either dis-assembly and \or relocation if you incorporate compression electrical connectors and add a break between track sections at the tables edge where they butt together. You might want to check on some club's modular standards for ideas..

"Church Tables"...

 

Had to laugh at this.  My wife is Properties Mgr. for our church.  We have a pole barn full of 8' and 6' "church tables".  They're from a bygone era, albeit with folding legs, held together with bubble-gum (no kidding!), duct tape, and the-grace-of-God.  Sometimes I think they're called 'church tables' because of the remains of a hundred or more potluck dinners embedded in the surface!!  And, yet, we keep getting calls from parishoners and word-of-mouth 'friends' wanting to borrow them for garden events...grad parties, anniversary celebrations, etc..  

 

So when you commented on your church table situation, I gasped with the image of our derelict family of 'church' tables. 

 

Yes, you certainly are due for something better.  And, this time, GO FOR IT!!

 

BTW, our fellowship hall now has modern, indestructible, easy-to-clean folding tables.   And THEY are not for loan!!

 

Thanks for a light-side thread!!

 

KD

 

 

I use 2.5 x 6 folding tables as well.  5 x 14 (two tables side by side and end to end and one sidewayson the end) and another off the side for a yard.  I am thinking, after watching a video on how to build layout that if I took foam board and glued it to the tables, or screwed it to them, then it would be the same as building wooden benchwork, only more moveable.  Plastic talbes would probably allow drilling holes for wiring, I even thought of screwing plywood to the top before the foam board.  I too am not looking forward to making table legs.  I do not have the tools, nor the skill.  My prior layot was 4x 12 with 4 feet screwed out with 2x4s and sat on saw horses.  It was heavy due to 2x4s screwed along the sides and bridged to the 4ft portion byt overlapping more 2x4s. 

Here's my "Church Table" layout from last Christmas - 120 sq. ft. on 6 2.5' x 8' tables:

Rob, what an awesome and inspirational idea!!!

As any member of a modular group can tell you...semi-wobbley tables all joined together with clamps equals a sturdy (enough) layout.

The church across the street was selling them for $10 apiece. Metal legs, layered wood tops - heavy! I only bought 2. At the time I didn't have room for more. I thought it was a pretty good deal.I drilled holes right through them to accommodate wiring.