Q: How do you ship, and what are the costs? Do you require a deposit?
A: We ship using FedEx, and rates vary depending on size, weight, and distance. Once we receive your order request via email, we will respond within 2 business days with an estimate for your review with the total amount of your order including shipping. At that time, you can choose to place your order and we will begin processing it. We require a 10% deposit at that time, and the balance is due before we ship your package. Orders are shipped on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays only, excluding Holidays, to avoid peak shipping times and added cost. All payments will be processed through PayPal’s secure site.
Q: Can I pick up my order?
A: Yes, we offer local pickup from California, and we also offer fully assembled sections for pickup only, at an additional cost of 30% of your order.
Q: How can you offer such low prices?
A: We are able to offer low prices based on our tiered pricing formula which takes into account the amount of material only. Our labor remains the same whether we cut a board 12″ or 59″, so we pass that savings onto you and only charge what is necessary. Our Benchwork is sized and built strong enough for any layout condition, and we also utilize 1×3 lumber instead of 1×4 lumber on smaller sections. Our 1×3 and 1×4 benchwork kits and components also utilize hand selected kiln dried lumber, and 3/4″ plywood long runners, which is essential for strength and stability. Read our brief description about lumber and its strengths below, and you’ll see how oversized lumber is an unnecessary added expense.
Q: Do you offer custom layout design?
A: Yes, we offer our Benchwork Design Services for more complex benchwork designs at a very low price and also help with choosing our exclusive Staggered Joint Construction design for greater strength and flexibility. Details and links for both can be found on our Main Benchwork Page.
Q: Do you offer track planning services?
A: No, we do not.
Q: You offer custom risers, how is this accomplished?
A: You would need to send a scale track plan to us with desired grades. By using our program, we are able to determine the increment of rise for each cross piece on your layout of choice. We can also calculate the risers on curves and locate where additional cross pieces are needed for riser attachment.
Q: Why aren’t prices for the extras or options listed?
A: Prices are not listed simply because there are too many variables to consider such as complexity and number of risers, complexity and size of drop sections etc. We will provide pricing based on material and number of cuts that aligns with our pricing plan philosophy of providing affordable benchwork to you.
Q: Do you offer modules for clubs or Ntrak etc?
A: Yes, we offer both Fully Assembled T-Trak Modules and our EZ-Fold NTRAK Module Kits. Use the links for more details and pricing.
A BRIEF DISCUSSION ON LUMBER SIZING AND WHAT AFFECTS THE STRENGTH.
As I mentioned above, I have been building Model Railroads my entire life, and also have been a framing carpenter for well over 35 years, so I have extensive knowledge of lumber and its properties when it comes to load bearing capabilities. All maximum lumber spans are based on a simple cross-sectional area of the lumber and known strength properties.
For framing purposes in any modern home, a standard 2×4 with a cross sectional area of 5.25 inches can span 7′-3″ while carrying a 20 lbs. per square foot load. A 1×4 has a cross sectional area of 2.625 inches, or half of a 2×4, so it’s safe to assume it can carry half the load, or 10 lbs. per square foot. A 1×3 has a cross sectional area of 1.875 inches which is just a little more than 1/3 that of a 2×4. It is safe to say that it can carry a load of 7 lbs. per square foot.
So, as you can see, the load capability of a 1×3 is not that much less than a 1×4 of the same length, and in shorter spans the difference is negligible because you will never see those high loads on your Model Railroad Benchwork.
Another difference in our Benchwork is that we provide clear orientation of what edge should be the top. This is important when it comes to strength, as all lumber has a natural crown which should face up, and if placed upside down this negatively affects its strength.
You can be assured that your Model Railroad Benchwork purchased from Model Railway Techniques.com is more than adequate for any Model Railroad base you may need, and you get the added benefit of saving money also. James, Model Railway Techniques.com
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Last Updated on 8 months ago by James from Model Railway Techniques
