To answer these needs, we’re looking for a project that...
is inexpensive and simple to build, wile still being something
we can be proud of;
allows us to try new things without getting too invested –
emotionally or financially – in the outcome;
allows us space-deprived and time-deprived folks the oppor-
tunity to focus our energies on small, manageable projects
that can be put away during times when other things de-
mand our attention;
maybe even gives us something we can show off on the man-
telpiece without demanding the rest of the room as well.
Sure, like a diorama, but a usable one, as it were.
That’s a pretty tall order. How?
With T-Trak modules, that’s how.
If you’re unfamiliar with T-Trak, it’s a system of modules, each
roughly the size of a sheet of paper, snapped together to allow
you to form your own table-top or shelf-top layouts, or brought
together to meets to form much larger layouts. While the latter
social aspect of T-Trak is certainly great, I’m presenting T-Trak
here for how it allows you to do the former.
What can you do with modules that small? Quite a lot, really.
We Americans are fond of “bigger is better” but in terms of
our goal here, smaller really has advantages. Let me strongly
encourage you – at least to begin with – to embrace that petite
aspect. You really can do quite a lot of modeling here, despite
the size. And I cannot over-emphasize the importance (and
pleasures) of resisting the urge to “go big”... at least right away.
Construction
There are many ways to build T-Trak modules. The tradi-
tional one is to use 1/4” plywood to build the basic module
