Loft Preparation

Before I can build a circuit I need to convert my loft from the dumping ground the previous owner(s) had used it for into an extra room. It is however not going to be an "habital room". The loft conversion involves:

• Clearing out all the stuff that had been there.
• Add light and power (and check the existing wiring).
• Strenghten the rafters.
• Lay insulation
• Fit a loft ladder
• Box in the cold water tanks

Each of these activities had some dependency on the others. This is how I did it. NOTE: This is not a set of instructions but how I chose to do it. If you decide to copy me, on your head be it. Some things I have done might be against the building regulations in your area/country.

I will add some narrative when I have time, for now look at the pictures and guess how I did it. I have now split this page to make it quicker to load.

Electrics

When working (or playing) in a loft you need light, and power for the radio, power tools and eventually the transformers to power the circuit (or a battery charger). This all requied electricity. This stuff can kill you, or burn your house down, so if you choose to copy me, be careful.

Loft Hatch

In order to get into the loft easily, especially with my tools (workbench!) or with cars in my hand, I needed a larger loft hatch, a ladder and a trap door to stop the drafts.

Insulation

To keep the house warm in winter, and keep the fuel costs down I am taking the opportunity to insulate the loft, before the floorboards go down. I have done a lot of work to allow me to put down a decent amount of rockwool insulation.

Floor Boards

The most important part of the loft conversion, the surface to build the slot car circuit on! I have used tongue and groove chipboard boards designed especially for lofts.

Water Tank

The cold water tank in the loft is only crudely insulated and will look out of place unless I box it in (still allowing access). This will be one of the last of the currently planned jobs.