The N-Trak
standards call for a height of 40 inches to the top of the rails, with a +/- 1
inch adjustability rate for the overall height.
So taking into account that the height of Atlas code 80 flex track (the
standard for the 3 ‘community’ tracks in N-Trak), sitting on top of cork
roadbed is ~ ¼ inch, and the plywood top of each module is nominally 3/8 inch,
I decided to make the legs 38 inches.
For height adjustability, I used 3/8 x 2 ½ inch lag bolts with tee-nuts
fitted into 7/16 inch holes drilled into the ends of the legs. These are shown in photo 1.
1.
Next, I installed
each of the legs in, using ¼ x 2 ½ inch bolts w/washers and tee nuts. On the outside of the frame, I drilled
approximately ¼ inch with a 1 inch wood boring bit so the heads of the bolts
will be recessed. See photo 2.
2.
In photo 3, I
decided to come up with some scheme to transport the legs, so I decided to use
some more tee nuts and attach them to the outside edge of the module
frame. I don’t know if this will work
out when it come time to actually move them around, but I figured it may help
me to avoid forgetting the legs. Also
note that I marked each corner and the leg that goes to that corner, since the
bolts holes are not in exactly the same place for each leg.
3.
In photo 4, I’ve
finished fitting the legs to all of the modules and have test fit them
together. Let me just say at this point,
that the floor of my garage is not at flat and level as I thought, but, I
suppose no floor really is.
4.
A few lessons
learned here: 1) I’m not too enamored
with tee-nuts. I suspect that they will
not remain permanently affixed to the holes they are now in, especially given
the soft nature of pine lumber. I might
recommend washers and wing nuts as a preferred solution. (plus,
no tools required). 2) Leveling multiple modules when joining them
together can be immensely infuriating. I
did get things pretty level and the ‘joint’ end lined up well, but it takes
some effort, and patience.