I wish I could post a .wav file here . . .
Anyway, I had built a large tosion box for the kids’ HO train table this summer – it’s great, but . . .
It’s roughly a shallow rounded triangle, about 11′ x 5′ at the extremities. Top and bottom surfaces are 1/4″ MDF; internal ribs are 1/2″ MDF; total thickness is 4″. All edges curved, covered with 1/2″ bending plywood, everything glued and nailed and 3 coats of WB poly.
Plastic track is pinned to it and to glued risers.
Stiff as hell, light, yadda yadda.
BUT-
Boy is it noisy. With the sun coming through the window on it, every cloud passing makes it creak. It creaks when the sun goes down. now, with the heat hitting it behind me, it sounds like someone trying to break in the windows.
Weird.
Just sayin – it could happen to you on something more important than a train table.
Forrest – with earplugs
Edited 10/29/2008 7:05 am ET by McDesign
Replies
Put some piano wires on it. Then it can play a tune too.
Will drilling some vent holes in the bottom, help at all ?
That would change the cracking from a soprano to an alto.
Actually, there are holes in the bottom in various places to run wires, and I made no attempt to run the ribs all the way into internal walls - that is, I don't think there are any sealed compartments.
Forrest
It's not the box, it's the tracks expanding. This is a real problem in hot climates, watch for them to buckle on a real hot day !
Greg
Hmmmm! So I should have used some kinda' spring clips instead of nails, like real track?
Forrest
Now I know what the dial up guys complain about alla da time, took 3 minutes on wifi in DEN airport for that pix to download.
It's the altitude, silly!!!
Or move it away from those windows...
LOL! It only fits there!
View Image
Forrest
Edited 10/29/2008 2:43 pm ET by McDesign
Sounds like it's time for an addition! We'll call it the "Rumpus room bump out".
I wonder if injecting foam insulation in would help?
Brian
Nice job, undo the tracks and fasten them with a clip that allows the track to expand and contract.Try placing the table away from the windows and any heat,I think you will find the noise has abated.
mike
with his current setup (larger than that) it would take hours to take it up and put it back down
I'm just sayin'
Keep the trains running all the time and it'll sound like the Chattanooga Cha-Cha.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....