Advice on Ping Pong table for portable O layout!

[zethington]

Just wondering if anyone has attempted to use a ping pong table for a very portable layout.  My problem is that my spare bedroom is in an apartment and only 10X12 and would like the folding option that ping pong tables have at 5X9 ft.  I was thinking of putting green carpeting on the boards and use velcrofor accessories and scenery.  I saw this use once at a train show.  I know some of you out there have tried this and would like feedback on this option and any possible problems with this idea?

Target stores have a huge sale this week on these tables at $129.00 ...so nows the time to but if im going to do this.

Thanks again,

Abraham

 

[riverrailfan]

A lot of layouts have been done on ping pong tables. If you are looking to make it fold then your accessories will have to be removable. You may want to look for used though. You may cut the price in half if not more. I found one for $25 but the wife said I wasn't putting a xmas layout in the dinning room this year.

[chuck]

If you want to do this, get a table with the tubular trapezoidal legs that fold up under the table from the sides, they last longer/hold up better than corner legs (like a card table).  Be prepared for noise.  The table will resonate a lot, even with carpetting.    Also remember that these tables aren't meant to hold a lot of weight,  they are jut stiff enough to not sag under the long term affects of gravity.   Heavy trains/accessories will strees the table top as well as the legs.  A "portable" table that can hold up well may not be very "portable" long term.

[Jumijo]

A couple of hollow core doors would give you roughly the same sized table and be stronger. But you could also configure them in different ways, such as an L-shape or one long table. Add even more and your empire grows any way you like. Also, I would imagine they might not be as heavy as a ping pong table. They would be easy to store and transport too.

Jim

[lionelsoni]

My layout is plywood stiffened by perforated steel angles.  If the ping-pong table sags too much, you might use the same trick.  Fasten the steel underneath the table with carriage bolts; the carpet will hide the bolt heads.

[zethington]

Thanks for all the advice....I never thought about the support function of these tables and maybe adding that extra support under the table would help.  I plan on using smaller 027 engines and switchers since im planning on using 031 and 042 curves and switches.  I plan to use the green carpeting so as to install light lamps and figures to stay standing  up using velcro under each item, I viewed one layout using this method in a recent trainshow, but he used two 4X4 pieces of plywood that were bolted together, really nice set up.

The possibility of using extruded blue foam is not an option due to the fact that the table folds with not much clearance for a thicker baseboard.  I plan on using filler sections of track between each side of the table top board since there is a distinct 1/2 inch gap once the table lays flat.

Abraham