You are welcome, the benchwork (and the other stuff you have been doing) really does look very well built, quite nice. Looks a lot better than just ok to me, more like professionally done! As for that grumpy Inspector, maybe he and I need to talk... I think maybe I could bribe him with some Beggin Strips. 
RTR I think he has gone to the dark side and has become a MOMMA'S BOY! LOL
LOL. Mama serves better snacks than you do!
That's a fact!
Mike- I think its fair to say that after seeing everything you have built this year- train room, she shed, bench work, that you sell yourself short on your carpentry skills.
I think this says it all
You my friend are right up there with the best! Hopefully your financial picture turns around soon.
Bob
Thanks Bob, I look at the room everyday and am happy how things are turning out! As for the financial picture, well it is what it is and I just roll with it. It might take me longer then others, but as long as I am moving forward little steps at a time I am happy!
mike g. posted:RTR I think he has gone to the dark side and has become a MOMMA'S BOY! LOL
Oh no, not Darth Tank? He can't control it, it's the overpowering force of those special treats!
And I agree with Bob above on your carpentry skills, very nice work! (My old bubble level allows a little room for error, which I need, plus it's been dropped a few times too. 
)
RTR, I have never dropped my digital level and hope I never will! Thanks for the nice comments! I have come to the thought that Tank is now as you said Darth Tank! Still come to me for treats, but hangs with momma!
I’m with you Mike on making progress as funds and time are available
Mike, the layout is looking great! Your benchwork certainly puts mine to shame, can't wait to see how your layout comes together.
Mike, The progress is great, you have done a great job with the L girder bench-work. I think I want one of those digital levels !! I thought I read a few pages back that you had some materials warp, or move .... I started using some temporary clamps in areas that I wasn't ready to permanently anchor so that changes in temps and humidity wouldn't be able to cause stock to warp or "move" before I had a chance to use it... Just a thought. You can also just put a couple of temporary screws in it also, cheap, quick they can be removed and moved if necessary, and the holes are going to get covered with scenery anyway.
Mike,
Moving right along! I see that you were practicing with some deck shaping. I really like the runway that you made for the airport.
I hope that you didn't fasten the deck yet. It is much easier to pull a lot of the wire before you fasten the deck. Then, you only have to be underneath to make connections. Limiting underneath the table time is always good.
Your progress is amazing, Mike.
I'm quite sure you'll have trains running before too long.
Thanks Guys!
Dustin, the bench work is easy for me, the rest is a challenge, but that is part of the fun!
Chris, the piece that warped was fastened to the end of my bridge lift, it was a old piece of shelf it bowed in the middle and made a hump. So I took it out and replaced it with a top grade 3/4" piece of plywood, everything fits nice now!
Carl, thanks for your kind words on the airfield, I had a lot of help and direction form Mo985! As for the deck top, nothing is fasten down yet, I am waiting to run wire! A lot of people had made that suggestion in the past to others so I just kept that in mind when building!
Lee, thanks! It means a lot coming from a guy who's layout has been magazines!
Mike, train room, she shed, benchwork: all while going to work! You are a building machine. I really like the bridge too.
Thanks Joe! I try to do my best to keep the CEO/CFO A happy woman! LOL
mike g. posted:
Lee, thanks! It means a lot coming from a guy who's layout has been magazines!
Won't be long before you're ready to submit stuff on your own layout, I'd bet.
Thanks Lee, I will be happy if I can just run trains around the room by end of winter! LOL Fingers crossed!
Hi Everyone, I know its been a slow progress and most of you know why. But I did get a little done today as I finished prewiring my bench work before I put the top on. I will be working on the power cart next, hooking up 10amp breakers and then to power blocks on the back of the cart! But at least now I can get more plywood to finish most of the top.
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Looking good Mike.
Looks Great !
Thanks Guys!
Looks Good!! You are getting there. I got in a hurry to lay track and did all the wiring from below. 
Your method is much better! Much easier on top of head also. I think there are still small patches of hair stuck to some of my cross bracing... 
Thanks RTR, but you might wish you didn't fallow this, as once the top and track laying start, I am going to be bothering you for electrical questions! LOL
No problem Mike, I will be happy to help all I can. I actually enjoy the wiring, it's my favorite part. I am far from an expert though, I still learn something every time I get on the forum here. Sometimes some of it even sticks!
Nice work, Mike. I had drilled my cross pieces for pre-wiring too, but gave up and just wired from underneath because I didn't have a good idea of where everything was going. After a few Advil, my head feels much better now.
I'm finishing the double tunnel and control panel this
weekend and should have an update next week on my progress.
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Thanks RTR! I am not good at wiring! LOL
RICHIE, I would have done everything under the table, but it hurt to much on my last layout! I cant wait to see your update!
Looks good Mike. Glad you finally can get some layout work done. The prewiring is a good idea. I do a similar thing, any time I pull a new wire I pull spare along. This way I am ready to go when I want to add something new from Menards.
Bob
Thanks Bob! I was thinking about that, but I want to check something out first. I read somewhere about someone using a low voltage yard light transformer for lighting buildings! I have one and it seams to work on lighting a group of LED's so I am going to do more research!
just check the output voltage before plugging anything in. Don't want to fry any LED's.
mike g. posted:Hi Everyone, I know its been a slow progress and most of you know why. But I did get a little done today as I finished prewiring my bench work before I put the top on. I will be working on the power cart next, hooking up 10amp breakers and then to power blocks on the back of the cart! But at least now I can get more plywood to finish most of the top.
Awesome work, Mike! As someone with no skill to wire a layout, I can only stand in awe of you who do.
Youre really moving with a purpose here, Mike.
Do you have a track plan in mind yet? Maybe you've posted it already and I didnt see it...
Bob, I hooked it up to an LED and it seamed to work fine~!
Thanks Pete, I am trying to do my best. The nice thing is there is so much help on this forum!
Thanks Lee, my goal is to have trains running by the end of winter!
Tom, yours looks so much better then mine, But I am still working at it!
Looking good Mike, but are you sure you need 10 amps? I can weld the wheels to the rails with just 6 amps.
Hi Elliot, I don't know, this is what was suggest to me so I bought one and wired it in! LOL I don't know crap about wiring, but trying to do my best!
Well,you could use the 10 as a master, and have smaller ones protecting each power district. Just don't want you frying engines. Even with 6, I've managed to fry a couple, just takes the perfect derailment.
Thanks for the information Elliot, I will take a picture of what I have maybe you can give me some ideas to put in after that and before the tracks!
Looks great, Mike! We are all here to help each other. I’m all for prewiring too!! I’m also thinking of making pull out scenery in places I need a junction in case of trouble later.
