Hattons is to produce a new range of baseboards.

https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=900&utm_campaign=mar-0729-hattonsbaseboardslaunch&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Klaviyo&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJ0ZXJyeWtlbXB0b25AdGFsa3RhbGsubmV0IiwgImtsX2NvbXBhbnlfaWQiOiAiSkdRZVhoIn0%3D

Terry

Yes, I saw these Terry….. Am I wrong to think they are bit on the pricey side?
Michael

There's plenty much more expensive modular systems and although they would speed things up, I'd rather spend the money on more specialist items, things I can't make myself.

Hattons are however rather shy with specification details and component sizes, although the depth looks to be about 75mm, which is in the right direction, although they don't deliver outside the UK.

Bill

Are you of Yorkshire/Scottish origin too Michael ?  I can think of much better things to do with £350 than spend it on an 8 x 4 sheet of plywood - legs or no legs !!!

I suppose, for those without access to woodworking facilities, they'll sell but my word, they look very expensive to me !

It must be the influence of the Yorkshire wife, Peter!  If I add up the cost of what I would need for even my relatively modest layout, it makes my eyes water!  I'm no carpenter by any means - O level woodwork was the height of my achievements - but I reckon all of mine were equivalent to one of these.
Michael

Custom laser cutting goes for around $1.50 a minute for one-offs. Probably less than 10 minutes for a 2 x4 foot module. I pay around $30 for a sheet of 6mm Baltic ply, 5 x 5 feet. 2 sheets is enough for 3 modules (top, sides, one internal cross member) plus some leftover. So one module is around $35. Which is about £27. Hatton's price - £75. And you still get to put it together. At least they throw in some glue. :hmm
Sans Covid my ply supplier will happily cut to my dimensions for $5 a sheet (cutting 2 sheets at once).

The supplier of the kits I am currently using charges $42 (~£32) for a 2 x4 foot baseboard module in Baltic ply. No glue though. At that price it is highly competitive with DIY.


Nigel

I am fortunate that my very local supplier will cut and deliver free of charge - although the ply is more expensive than you pay, but commensurate with other UK suppliers.  I'm sure there will be people who will pay the price, and I am not knocking them for doing so - a  great way to get up and running quickly - but it's not for me.
Having said that, my new school has a dozen laser cutters, so i may have to go and sweet talk the design teachers!  Who knows what I may get to make in the future!

Michael

I took one look at the price and had to go back to bed!

Two trestles and an interior door would leave over £300 to spend (Oh! That word…) on modelling goodies, and you could stand it on end when Auntie Lettie came to stay…

Shylock Dickson

Never thought of that Doug - you could even build your layout on the back of Auntie Lettie's bedroom door - then maybe she wouldn't come to stay…………………….Q.E.D.  :hmm :cheers

I agree that the cost seems very high, especially when you add up the extra joiners etc. It may be daunting at first, but I was able to create a simple frame with hardly any knowledge of woodwork! 
Depending on the market a simple table may be a simpler option?

With an arthritic back I haven't really got a lot of choice, I'm afraid my DIY baseboard building days are over and the prices seem comparable with other manufacturers on the market.

My 009 layout is two Tim Horn boards with  6mm ply tops, one 800 x 250 mm (£25) and one 600 x 250mm (£20), which gives me a layout of roughly 4' 7" x 10". Postage and packing was £16, so overall cost £61.

I've bought a1200 x 600mm baseboard from Grainge and Hodder, who are a little bit more expensive, for £69.55 and £8.50 shipping (£78.05).

It may seem a lot, but it's only really the price of a couple of OO gauge Bachmann coaches or a reasonably priced locomotive.



Ed

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

I am fortunate that my very local supplier will cut and deliver free of charge - although the ply is more expensive than you pay, but commensurate with other UK suppliers.  I'm sure there will be people who will pay the price, and I am not knocking them for doing so - a  great way to get up and running quickly - but it's not for me.

Baltic ply usually comes from Russia. Last time I looked the UK was a tad closer than the US. Can't be the shipping cost. Must be the VAT!  
Nigel