I am currently working on adding a bridge feature to my current 8' x 16' layout so that i can have more access to the middle of the table and more track length! I have 3 boards making up one section equaling 8' x 12' and one board of 8' x 4' separated. I also have 4 planks of wood about 6' long but this is longer than i would like the gap to be between the boards. I can have photos shortly along with any needed measurements. Any ideas on how i can make this work using the planks of wood i have on hand? Thanks!
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Here are some pictures of my layout and where i am making the bridge. You can see i have placed the planks across the 2 tables just by resting the planks on them. This may seem to work but you can see in some pictures that the planks create bumps at the ends that the track can not easily go over.
Got to love that smart phone camera quality!
Attachments
Cut the planks down to a size you can use and buy or make some sort of brackets or cleats to attach them at the table edges to make the surface level.
Like Flash said-attach a cleat to the table edge on each side the thickness of the plank so it will sit level with the deck.
Go to the center of this thread to see a cleat method with locking dowel pins and micro switches to kill power on the approaching track when it's out. Securely locked when in, easy to lift up and out. cabinet magnets to hold it.
I had a layout similar to the one in your pictures for a couple of years while we were planning to move. But I would recommend doing as the others have suggested, cut to length and use cleats or angle brackets to attach them to make everything smooth and level.
There are lots of great ideas from the very simple to the very complex on this forum. Just do a search on lift bridge. Susan's run room (Forum Member) has some very good ideas. I did my bridge based on her ideas.