Sub-layout wiring creeper

very cool-a depressed center creeper.

LOL I am going to need one!

That looks like a really good idea. I might have to try that if I can find something to use for the chair. I currently use a mechanic's stool, but it's a just tad high. It hurts when you forget to duck at a cross beam...which I usually do at least once per trip under the layout. 

It looks like a toilet.

It also looks like it works well.

The seat in the photos actually came off an old 5 wheel office swivel assembly. 

The seat's old roller base is used for parts trays to be moved around the rather long layout during construction. 

Also, I have hand held caddies which I mount on the frame rails of a rolling automotive over-the-fender style work trays, available at some auto parts stores, so as to set up anywhere along 135' of linear bench work. 

When you raise the tray it slides over top of the layout and takes up very little aisle space.  These hold my soldering equipment, Dremals, screws, clamps, etc etc.

Think of them as a rolling work shop to set at any location.

How about a picture of it in use?  How high is your benchwork?

In class right now, will shoot photo later.  Bench work height varies from 36" to 54" high.  ROW on three levels.  Point to point part way  around the basement hanging off the walls.

Raw bench work shot along South wall.

I'm guessing you can't actually get under most of the benchwork, but rather sit next to it on the stool? 

Moonman posted:

very cool-a depressed center creeper.

WUT?  You couldn't find one of these? 

Actually Tom, I very much like your chair idea. 

George

The pictured creeper allows me to get under all the bench work,  right up next to the wall.  The only exception is an eight foot long X 24" drop valley.  All wiring work is done sitting in an upright position.  I do need to duck my head under the 110 conduit that runs from the wall to the fascia every 8' and some support members.

I did find a couple of shots:

I think I like some of your equipment inventions better than the layout, or at least just as well. 

Thank you I think.  Photo of your layout?

Sorry, my written word is not always taken as was intended. It was definitely meant as a compliment. Unfortunately, the highlight of my layout is the 6'x16' Mianne benchwork, not any of my creations or additions to it. Here's a picture anyway, from the early stages (I don't have a current picture). An expansion was planned from the start, but the train budget went for trains and accessories the last couple of years and is has not progressed much since this picture was taken, other than there are now some running trains on it. And more trains stored below the layout.

RTR, IMO never discount anything you put your heart in, that bench work did not arrive assembled!  Mianne will always get one off to a fast start. 

For most all of us, anything we get done is squeezed between the realities of life. 

I have precious little play time.  This effort of mine is in it's third down sizing but still too much for the little free time I have.  As long as you can run a train you are probably ahead of half the other RRers.

Many would trade their spouse for space you have & that which you have accomplished.  Looking good!

Thank you! You are way too kind!

I really like the Manne benchwork. It is very easy, lightweight (good for an old man) and goes together very quickly. I am new (in the last few years) to permanent layouts and I wanted to get trains running to see what I liked and what I did not like before expanding the layout. My future layout additions will be using Mianne as well. We have a fairly good sized basement, but my wife has claimed some of it for her crafts and my space has been reduced somewhat. That's ok as I couldn't afford to fill it all with a layout anyway, even though I would really like to.

I understand about your time constraints and downsizing. When I was younger I could do things like that, but as I got older and with everything else one has to do to maintain a family, house, cars and other things, there was no way I could have tackled a layout in the limited free time I had left. I also traveled quite a bit for work and that also takes a toll on you after a while. I am now retired and have more time, but with that comes a fixed income and other things that put limits on the trains and layout.

I worked in the construction industry most of my working life. I have always been impressed by tools and devices that people come up with the improve their work and make their routine tasks easier to accomplish more efficiently. When I was just getting started many years ago an 'old timer' always told me to 'work smarter, not harder'. I guess that really stuck and got me interested in all the things like your tool and parts stands and under the benchwork chair. I have been admiring that kind of stuff for many years and that is what prompted my earlier comment.

Your creeper would be great for my layout,

Brent

Is your floor concrete?  Any idea if it might work carpet?

thanks

Wheel sizing:

IME,the softer the carpet the larger the wheel diameter or total wheel count.  I have all my shelving units on furniture movers dollies and find I needed larger wheels to go over carpeted surfaces.  HD has a large assortment of utility wheel sizes.  If you are not near a HD check out Outwater Plastics.

Also, some of my storage cabinets are on a single furniture dolly which has extended frame rails with a total of four wheels.  Most of my shelving units are on a pair of dollies with a total ,of eight wheels.  The eight wheel units move with less friction.  My best experience is with Crain appliance dollies which have 16 wheels and they roll over most anything.

For the benefit of working under a layout on a carpeted floor I would go this route if the four or eight wheel setup would not work easy on your floor covering.  The trick is to get your keyster as low as possible.  Especially if you are of long torso/short leg ratio.

It would be a no brainer to make a drop center shaped seat frame and set it on top of the Crain dollies.  I have several sets of these.  They are fantastic.  Also easy to move any loads anywhere in the house.

Depending on your layout's leg spacing you may be able to rip some sheets of tempered Masonite and place them on the carpet. 

I've used a step ladder on occasion. 

Tom Tee,     Like yourself, I have been using a furniture dollie to get around my layout, though without any "chair back".  This is an improvement I need to pursue.  My layout height is lower, 27", as this is easier to reach across when necessary, and upper track levels can go higher without being too out of reach.  Also, with this low level main height, I lay down on my dollie and can reach up to perform wiring, etc. on the underside.  Perhaps my arms are a bit longer than others, 36/38 inch shirt sleeves, but we all have to adapt to our layouts and what works for us.

RTR,     Like yourself, I too recently retired from managing construction sites all over the United States, and I do mean all over, N-S-E-W.  Away from home for years at a time and away from working on my layout(s).  Now retired for almost two years, but with home related catch-up work, storm related repair/cleanup work, and the day-to-day........  yes, finding the time I would like to have is getting harder, but we all make the best we can with what we have available, correct?  My layout is also in the "rough" stages yet, but is great for running long trains, when I can.  Good luck on best wishes for finishing what you have, looks really good and a great start for what we all like about being in the hobby.

Jesse

Mike.  I too would turn my modules bottom side out except due to them having curved back edges which would not sit steady, I hung them from the ceiling for stability.  Nothing like sitting on a stool soldering "under" the layout.

Texas Train.  In somewhat the same boat, busier than ever, this question begs an answer;  "How did we ever have enough time to go to work?"

texastrain posted:

RTR,     Like yourself, I too recently retired from managing construction sites all over the United States, and I do mean all over, N-S-E-W.  Away from home for years at a time and away from working on my layout(s).  Now retired for almost two years, but with home related catch-up work, storm related repair/cleanup work, and the day-to-day........  yes, finding the time I would like to have is getting harder, but we all make the best we can with what we have available, correct?  My layout is also in the "rough" stages yet, but is great for running long trains, when I can.  Good luck on best wishes for finishing what you have, looks really good and a great start for what we all like about being in the hobby.

Jesse 

Thanks for the kind words. I only travelled in a 4 state area, not as far as you did. Was gone all week, but was able to return home just about every weekend. Sure glad to be done with that now! I don't have the catch-up and storm related work that you have, but I hope you get caught up soon. Due to some physical problems I now have we moved to a mostly maintenance free home a couple years after I retired.

Looks like your layout is bigger and further along than mine and you have a good plan. Looks like good progress to me and trains are running so that is also very good. You have a much more interesting track plan than I do. I want to expand, but I am kind of stuck on the track plan and space to use. Good luck with your clean up and catch up work, I hope you can get back to layout work soon, and be able to do what you want to without something else getting in the way. 

My old arms, and especially the right shoulder, work best when used at desk top level.  It is difficult to work under a layout.  Working with your hands/arms extended above your shoulders for extended periods is very difficult, just about any kind of work.

Safety meeting of the day.   Use extreme caution, under a layout soldering above.  Eye protection is a must.

Mike, sounds like our arms came from the batch, maybe even sequential serial numbers.

Most of my wiring now is over head.  I find dropping my arms frequently relieves the oxygen debt before it becomes more difficult to overcome.

After working with an electrician years ago I saw the benefit of flame soldering  layout wiring. Yes it does require one to be more alert,  however the process is so much faster.  I can strip, prep, strategize flame angle and solder an entire area in no time.

I also pre wire most star wiring or busses (standing up) thru predrilled cross members before installing decking.