[EddScott]

I've begun work on my table but can't make a decision on the height.

I've bought all the word I need to build a table to the height of 80cm. Seems quite low for an adult but OK for kids and the small chair I have in the loft is about right for 80cm.

However 100cm seems better suited to an adult and feels a bit more "Natural" - the downside to this is MORE wood!

The track will be in the loft on two tables. One table is 240cm by 120cm and another is 320cm by 100cm. The tables will be arranged with the 100cm being next to the 240cm giving max straight length to fit 340cm.

This now throws up another problem I'm undecided about. I had intended to do a bit of scenery once I'd decided on a final layout. However with the depth of 120cm it will be hard to get to the back of the track to build any scenery without getting on the tables. The tables will be backed up against the far wall and I can't get behind them. I'm now not sure if I want to build a table quite so deep.

The final problem I have is that if I decide to reduce the table depth it means the racers will move closer to the weakest part of the loft floor. Currently the racers stand on top of an ajoining brick wall which is very strong. However part of the table and that racers (if I reduce the depth) will be stood on the weak point of the loft (you can see it move a fair bit by walking heavily on it) . This is not so good. I am toying with the idea of bracing the table to the wall to remove the amount of weight on the loft floor. This needs alot of thought to work properly as at some point I will be clambering on top of the table to make the scenery.

Sorry for the long post, if anything I'm just thinking out loud on how to proceed.

 

[Triggy]

Mine is going to be 1 metre with approx 200mm raised sections. Middle of the road between your dimensions, should work well. This enables me to store equipment and materials under while giving reach access to hard to get to sections.

PS my track will be in my ground level garage.

 

[Kai]

My clubs track is 57cm high from the ground.
When the track is deep from where the drivers are standing, the track has to be low, and for the marshalls its easier to bendover

than to stretch the arm and body to reach the cars.

 

[pault86]

I agree with Kai, you don't want a table that is too high, especially if you are going to use elevated sections and bridges. These always partially obscure the track that is underneath, but if the table is not too high the viewing angle remains pretty steep so you can see more of the obscured track.

I used folding utility table from an office supply store to get past the table-building stage quickly - just topped them with plywood. The tables were 73.6 cm high, 29 inches. Using these tables brought a number of unexpected advantages in building the layout. The biggest was being able to leave space between them so it was easier to get to the portions of the layout near the center of the platform.

Pictures of my track construction showing how the tables worked out here.

Paul
Circuit TrustChrist