Plywood top and sides

Hi All.  When I returned to model railways I was so keen to get started that I didn’t bother to read “how to”.And I went for regular timber, because I could screw it all together , how wrong I was, and with a 12 mm board on top. but something I read said about using “Plywood “ for the sides,but, plywood doesn’t hold screw so well, or does it??? At least the plywood supplied by a local timber merchant ( Peckham ). I suppose if I was to scrap the tops?? I could make the sides out of that, and if I was to have “open plan “ with the board only supporting the track, it could make it lighter. Would someone please tell me how??  Best wishes. Kevin

Not sure what you are after here Kevin, as I thought that you were modifying one of your existing puzzle planks into a branch terminus. Are you now producing a new baseboard instead?
There is plenty advice on open frame baseboard construction on here using plywood and I read some good advice on Padster's baseboard thread you posted on just the other day.

So what exactly are your plans now?

Bill

Hi Bill. Thank you for your reply . Of course you are quite correct I am working on modifying one of my puzzle planks, in the meantime whilst the glue dries, I was thinking about one of my original baseboards. When I was much younger, l was “like a fart in a colandar “? maybe i have gone back to my younger days but remaining old. The extension is coming along okay , but I am working on a  design for a , new to me, fiddle yard, I would have like to make a “Sector Plate “ but it isn’t practical for me.   Best wishes. Kevin

Well in that case, for a fiddle yard, stick to your tried and tested framed board method Kevin. In fact, you might even be able to hook up  the other puzzle plank to use as a fiddle yard and save some time and expense.

 Have fun,

Bill

Hi Bill.  Thank you again. I had already considered that, but, when I constructed the second board I made it a different height, not making it “future proof”.    Best wishes.  Kevin

Hi Kevin - regarding ply and screws, you're right, ply doesn't take kindly to screws into the grain.

The best way, IMHO, is to glue and screw some softwood "blocks" in the corners where you want a joint.  You then use these as bearers for the screws.  Just a small block is required and it adds little to the overall weight.

Hi Petermac   Thank you for reply. Please excuse my ignorance,  but if I screw the blocks in the corners, will they not be in the be in the way of the legs. Because that is where I put the original legs.  Best wishes. Kevin

Yes they will be Kevin ……………………………. :hmm


If the legs are a permanent fixture, you could simply use those as the "blocks".  If they are removable, you'd need to move them in from the ends by the size of the blocks and either bolt them through the side bearers or make a slot for them to locate into.

Hi Petermac.   Thank you again. In the meantime I had better finish my Shunting Puzzle .  Best wishes. Kevin