Legs?

[JCasey]

I used cantilever supports for my new HO layout as suggested earlier, if you want to see what I did check out the photo link below. Hope it helps, good luck. JC

http://www.railimages.com/gallery/johncasey

[orsonroy]

Legs for a shelf layout? Whatever for? My three level around the walls layout is supported with U channel shelf brackets, and it's holding up fine. Most shelf brackets have a load rating of 300 pounds. If you attach one to each stud, you won't have any problem with support. My brackets are 12" long at most, and are successfully supporting benchwork that's 2' deep in places (I do have legs under my lowest level, where it widens out to 3' in a yard). On top of the brackets I've got 1/4" Lauan plywood and 2" pink foam, and the layout's amazingly rigid. And since I'm only using a little wood (the 1/4 ply) there's virtually no chance of expansion/contraction problems (at least there hasn't been in the year some benchwork's been up).

True, you shouldn't lean on it with your full body weight, but that's something I can live with. I'd personally suggest removing the 1x3s, adding shelf brackets (at less than a buck apiece at Menard's) to each stud, and topping them off with 1/4" ply and foam. It's fast, easy, and actually cheaper than traditional layout construction in the long run. You'll have track and basic scenery contours down much faster than the old-fashioned way!

[Anonymous]

if you build 2x4' framed sections for the benchwork top, you can put diagnonal (36-48" would do for your hight) supports every 3-4'. preferably every 4' with a 1x4" board (flat) on the top of the support to hold the ajoining modules. for better support, you could run a 1x4" (flat along the front of the supports.

This would give you the ability to do each section as a module on a hieght that's easier to work with, 54" is pretty high to try building on. once you have a module finished, place it in position and bolt it to it's ajoining modules. if you are worried the modules could slide off the front, then place a simple 1x2" to the front of the support to make a lip.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Paul's right, do the diaginal so you won't have legs to the floor to hit with you feet but still enough strength to support you weight leaning on it. Just be sure to space your braces out close enough for support but take in to concideration
bookshelves or storage underneath.

[IRONROOSTER]

While big shelf brackets will work you could also use 1"'x3" diagonals from the studs to the front edge of the shelf.
Enjoy
Paul

[mike33469]

I'm building my 1st shelf layout, it will be 24" wide along all 4 walls of an 11' x 12.75' room. The layout will be 54" high. My question is what is the best way to support it? I've attached 1"x3"'s around the room attached to the studs. Now what should I do about legs ? I'm concidering shelf brackets instead of legs. Any suggestions ?