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During the first session I reviewed my benchwork concepts with Don Rigling (he's addicted to working with wood). Don volunteered to help me build the "L" girders for the framework. I got the 5/8" (19/32") plywood at Lowe's (pre-cut to 3" and 2" wide strips). He and I spend several hours at his house Saturday making up the L's for the benchwork. Don made a jig to hold the 3" wide strips vertical while we screwed an glued 2" wide pieces to the tops. We then loaded the girders (one spliced to 17'9") on the top of my Honda Civic and I headed home. Don then pre-made the legs, so that we would have all the elements to assemble the basic "L" girder during Monday's work session. This was a great time saver. During the Monday night work session we attempted to assemble the benchwork. After 3 hours of work, we realized that we had not leveled the first critical piece correctly, causing us to cut the legs wrong (too short). This problem could not be corrected easily, so Don took the legs home to make extensions for the 4 leg sets. Later that night, I realized there was another problem, where the main piece connected to the wall framework. I now new I had 2 problems: 1) the layout was not level, so I had to construct it all over again. 2) I had a management problem and it was me! I need to manage more and do less work. Also, I needed to prepare more activities so that the group could work in small teams (1-3 guys). The second work session was not a success. Don came through again, this time on Thursday night. With new extended legs in hand, he and I made the adjustments to the assembly, and proceeded to set up most of the "L" girders for the layout. Our small team of 2 had succeeded in doing what the Monday crew of 5 could not. Now, we were set to complete the benchwork. Additionally, the success Don and I had, confirmed that well managed small teams would produce a better layout. Moving forward, I'll try to manage/lead the work sessions more. At the 3rd work session, we were able to complete the basic benchwork, and install one more 8' section of backdrop. I should say, at most of these sessions, Jim Stewart has been working to improve the backdrop joints by adding Squadron Putty and sanding. This layout will have some 70-100 feet of backdrop with 10 36" high seems, so this is no small task.
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