Hi all,
I have a slight issue. I'm currently planning my new layout, and I plan to build the first section 18 inches wide along one wall. The problem is, I didn't want to attach it to the wall, as it isn't "finished" and my parents might want to finish it at some point. I also want the ability to move it around, as it will be build in manageable, moveable, sections. I was going to build it on legs similar to Luke Towan's tutorial:
https://youtu.be/7St1jVmuV2M
The problem is, along that wall is a baseboard heater that sticks out a few inches, so I can't just build legs on the four corners. My friend suggested that I just put the legs back a few inches so the layout fits against the wall. Is this the best solution or am I missing something easier and better?
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
A lot of tables and benches are built with their legs set back so that people dont hit them when walking by. No reason not to on your benchwork.
Good luck,
Richard
Yup, just set the legs in. I will tell you this though - at only 18" wide, it's going to be wobbly no matter how solid the legs are. You will likely want to put a couple of metal L brackets in to anchor it to the wall. This is easy to cover up if later the wall needs to be finished - just some spackle to cover the hole, like if there was a picture hung there. I had no problems doing this on my previous layout even though I was living in an apartment.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy makes a good point. On a wider table, setting the legs in three or four inches works well. On a 1½ foot table, three inches will be quite a bit, and as Randy said, make the table unstable.
I'm not an expert, but it seems that making the table an L shape would stabilize it quite a bit if you're going to inset the legs several inches.
York1 John
I set the legs in on my benches so I wouldn't stub my toes.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Even though I had an L shape at one end where my benchwork was narrow, it was still wobbly at the far end. By the L end it was stable, but get down to the free end and it still was wobbly even though the legs didn't budge - they just lifted off the ground. SO I only needed 1 L bracket into the wall - just those little metal angles you find in the hardware section near the door knobs and door hinges.
It's ok to set the legs back a bit to clear the baseboard heaters. It's also good to set them back a bit on the front too as you will likely kick them with your feet otherwise.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Thanks for the help everyone, I believe I will set the legs back. The layout will eventually be an L shape, if not have an L on either end, but for now it will just be the 18 inches. I may attach it to the wall as well.