Hi Steve,
Welcome back! Take a look through here, inculding the "sticky" resource list at the top of the forum.
There are a variety of standards you can build if you are taking a truly modular approach. THis requires that you follow a standard in order to be able to connect to other modules that follow this standard.
If you really only need sectional or "domino" so you can take the layout apart to move it at some point, then your standards can be your own.
In either case, there are some considerations to be made:
- Wiring connections between sections
Trailer plugs are good, and can be had is some fairly substantial sizes (e.g. 10 AWG). They are cheap, robust, and easy to use.
- Weight and size of modules/sections - will you be handling them yourself, or with helper(s)?
Consider that for storage, you might pair them and stand them on end, so 6 feet long is about the longest you want to go. A pair of modules 2x6 boxed together will require ~2x2x6 feet, so do you have storage and transportation that can accomodate this?
Getting through doors is a consideration too, so keep the modules small enough. Even though you are currently planning to house this in a garage, you will eventually have to go through a 24" pocket door in a house...!
A pine or plywood frame, with 1.5 to 2" styrofoam decking is strong, and dramatically cuts the weight versus a plywood deck.
- Height for operations
You will need legs or brackets (see below) at your desired height.
- Shelf type on brackets, or free standing on legs (or something else)?
A fairly narrow module (up to ~24 inches) can be put on large shelf brackets. Wider than that, and you will need legs. The brackets have the added advantage that you have nothing in the way underneath for additional storage, or whatever.
Take a look at the standards for
www.hotrak.ca. This is my local modular club, and we set-up and take-down a good size layout every 6 weeks or so. Usually only takes a few hours to do; most of the construction standards are aimed at keeping the weight low, and the modules portable.
Hope that helps get you started.
Andrew