recommend buying tools with power cords. So I bought a
corded Ryobi power drill ($39.99, Home Depot prices). You may
need to pick up a drill bit index ($19.99) or a masonry bit as
well, but in my case I have drywall and I was able to use brass
screws to make pilot holes.
The second expenditure is fasteners: a box of 2" brass screws
($7.50, HD) and a box of 50 wall anchors ($11.69). I'd add a
stud finder with deep penetration and electrical detection
($19.99) to guard against driving screws into power lines.
Otherwise, my pilot holes were made by first driving a pilot
screw into the wall and then inserting a wall anchor only if I
didn't happen to find a stud. This work was entirely accom-
plished with my drill, the Phillips apex bit, and a 16" tape mea-
sure ($8.48).
For shelving I selected 12"x14" metal shelving brackets for
$2.99 each at Ace Hardware. I ultimately needed 17. Make
shelving from a sheet of 4'x 8' sheet of plywood ($25.64) if
your store will cut it down into 12" strips by whatever length
you need to make it around the room. You may have to add a
2'x4' handy panel ($5.98). One of my 6-foot shelves has to span
the window, so I used a 1x3 to reinforce it ($2.99) and a hand
saw with miter box ($7.96) to cut it. The handsaw will indeed
cut the plywood, and while it may be a bear to do it this way,
the savings is in the sweat equity!
We need a base underneath our railroad so we can model
scenery that is below grade. While many will swear by only
blue or pink fine-grain foam, I figure if white coarse-grain bead
board is good enough for Woodland Scenics, it's good enough
for me. Having used it more than once before, it's no better or
worse a material than any other.
Third Place Layout for $500 -
MRH-Jul 2013
