Shelf Railings

[Anonymous]

I am building a few shelves to hold my trains on and I was wondering what you would suggest I use to as in a sense "fence posts" to protect the trains in case of an earthquake. I have 1*6's with flangeways cut into them. They're just wide enough for the trains without the railing.
Thanks
Scott

[Anonymous]

Scott, If there is a little room around the edges I would suggest using a 1/4 inch dowel. You could drill a hole for the dowel in the shelf and then use inexpensive braided picture hanging wire strung through holes drilled in the dowels for a fence type of look. Let me know what you think or what type of look your going for. Also are the shelves for just train storage or storage /display. Please advise.

[bman36]

Hi Scott,
I did exactly what Matt described on a layout but used 1/2" dowell with the picture wire. To join the wire end to end I took the metal insert from an electrical connector (small tube) and crimped the wire into each end. Let us know what you make. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hey Brian, I knew I had seen it somewhere before, must have been on those pics you sent me.

[bman36]

Matt,
Might have been. Did I send you pics. of the grocery store layout??? That's where they went on. A little large using 1/2" dowels but they are very sturdy. Also at nine feet off the floor the size is barely noticeable. Sure looks neat though. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Brian, No, on the grocery store layout. The Pics you sent were on your basement layout.

[Anonymous]

I don't have enough space to put the 1/4 inch dowels in. do you know of any way to make it come out of the edge and then turn upward?
Thanks
Scott

[bman36]

Scott,
You can use flat metal straps for this. You will usually find them in Home Depot with the higes and gate hardware. They come straight or bent at a 90 degree angle. The bent ones are called "corner irons". They also come pre-drilled and in various lengths. Simply screw one end to the bottom of your shelf. Drill a small hole in the bottom of your dowel and screw it to strap. Make sense? Hope this helps ya'. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

good idea thanks
Scott

[Anonymous]

Scott, you also could do the original suggestion of dowel but attach them through to the front edge of the 1x with small brads. I would suggest predrilling a hole for the brads first to reduce the chances of splitting.