Advice for situating computer desk under shelf layout

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any practical does or don'ts about how to fit a computer table (with monitor on top) below a shelf layout. I think I'm targeting about 48" height for shelf layout, but how do I space the brackets for the layout so as not to interfere with the usability of the desk? I'm trying to maximize the share-ability of the recently finished basement to appease my wife. Thanks for your help. I'll check back as frequently as I can. [8]

[grayfox1119]

The first thing to remember, is that a computer desk has to have the monitor at eye level of slightly lower. If you are using the old fashion heat monster CRT monitors, be careful of what will be above the monitor. You cannot block the heat dissipation. The new LCD monitors are much better in this regard.
Also, if you need to work on the computer, you will need clear access without bumping ones head on the rail support overhead ( and causing a massive de-railment).
You mentioned that this is going into a newly finished basement. Most basements are pretty good size, why can't you put your layout in another part of the basement? I have seen some very nice layouts in the utility room, storage areas, etc. with just a little foresight and creativity. Have you looked into this possibility? It might be better for your marriage in the long haul.[:D]

[rrinker]

I have my layout set at 48", and I have an old desk shoved under to use as a workbench. No way would I be able to put even a 15" computer monitor under there on the desk. And lowering the desk is not an option, the keyboard would be too low.
I previously had a shelf layout that was over my computer desk, mounted with the metal tracks and shelf brackets. I had the verticals attached to every other stud, s there was 32" between brackets. This layout though was higher than 48". Exactly where I don't remember anymore, but I placed it based on it being higher than my a the time 3-year-old son could reach [:D] When I was there with him, he could stand ont he table and easily participate. When I wasn't there, the equipment was safe. I'm guessing I had it up around 5' or so. The position of the shelf brackets really wasn't an issue in that case.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I just measured my shelf over my computor. It's at 56". The shelf is not for trains, it's for more computor stuff. It seems to have plenty of air space above the monitor.
It will count on the height of your desk and monitor and add at least 6 inches for air space so that the heat from monitor can escape.
I also have my computor in the same room that I intend to make my layout. I thought about going over my computor area, but just once. I decited it was a bad idea. The track would be too high verses all the other track layout. I intend to have my track height at about 34 inches, so it would be quite a clime for any of my engines (all old time 4-4-0's) and I have a 20' x 20' room for my computor and layout.
Even if you can over come some of the height problems, do you have to go around any corners, switchbacks to get back down to your normal track height?
As far as mounting brackets to the wall. What is your basement wall made of ? Painted Brick or concrete, 2 by framing with drywall or plaster?
The thing is most walls have studs every 16 inches, so that is what I would use except over the computor desk. There I would use a piece of plywood or 2 by - depending on the span assuming that you don't want to have a bracket right over the desk and monitor.
I hope this helps a little or in some way.
ennout

[rrinker]

Sorry for the confusion. The shelf layout over my computer was at an apartment I used to live in, there was an 8x8 room off the master bedroom they called a 'walk-in closte' yet it has none of the usual closet amentities like shelves or rods to hang clothes on. So I used it as my office and had the computer in there, and put up a double row of shelves along two of the walls (was planning to expand to a third when I moved), the lower one was an L-shaped switching layout, the upper shelves were to store my collection or Model Railroader magazines and tons of books.
The current layout is freestanding on its own legs, not fastened to the wall. My basement is poured concrete, and I really have no desire t drive that many anchors into it to support regular shelf brackets. If you have a finished wall in the basement, you can attach shelf supports to the studs just like in any other room.

--Randy

[vsmith]

I have what could be called a "standard setup" at my work, the desktop is 30" high with a pull out keyboard tray, and a 19" CRT moniter sitting on top of that. My 12" shelves above the desktop are at 48" but the monitor does not fit under but is out away from the shelves. The only way to realisticly combine the two is to either raise the shelf hight to about 51" which will allow the larger size CRT monitor to sit comfortably underneigth it or if you want the layout at the 48" hieght I would recommend switching to a smaller, but way more space efficient LCD monitor. Thats what I have at my home office. Its only 13" but it hardly takes up any worksurface and makes for a far more usable workstation. My beast of a monitor at work eats up half the desktop. I would go for the LCD monitor and a shelf height of 42 to 48". For me my 48" shelves at work are right at eye leve when seated, although if I was to run a shelf layout in this configuration I would want a slight downward view of the scenerio allow for better depth perception, hence I would install my shelves at 42" so my seated persepective was optimized.

[Anonymous]

The heat from the monitor may be a problem on the CRT's I use a 19 incher and it requires 4 inches minimum on all sides and nothing above it. There may be the problem of electromagnetic energy "pulling" on the monitor Magnets are killers of monitors and computers.

LCD screens have alot less space. These should be much easier than the old CRT's

[Anonymous]

Thanks. These are all good ideas. I'm convinced that I should get an LCD screen, especially since they have come down quite a bit since I first started planning this. Also, I should raise the 48" to above 50" (maybe to 52") to avoid any conflicts and to allow for any lighting I need to install under the shelf layout. I hope this wouldn't be necessary, as I have about 20 can lights in the ceiling in my 20' x 20' area (well lit in anticipation of the train). I have drywall-over-2x4 studs in this room.

I was going to go into the unfinished furnace room and back out to give myself about 4-5 feet of space with no headroom issues, but one of you sparked an idea for me of going into the finished laundry room and using the probably 6 x 10-foot free area in there as a turn-around so I don't need to cross in front of the laundry room door (which my wife was against) and head into the office part of my basement. Also, if I still want to bridge the desk, I guess I can have traditional benchwork supported by the floor rather than the wall and use 1x4's instead of 1x3's, for more stability. Thanks for your replies.

[IRONROOSTER]

My layout is 58" high and has a clearance of 54" under the benchwork. I have a dining room table under part of the layout which I use as a workbench, but there is enough space for a computer monitor without any problem. The traintable above it is 3 1/2 ft by 8 ft with legs at the ends. Now that I've had the layout up for a few years, I find I like the height - gives a more realistic side view of the trains.
Enjoy
Paul

[rrinker]

The nice thing about LCD's is that a 17" LCD has about the same viewing area as most 19" CRTs, so it will save you a couple of inches of height while not sacrificing the viewable area. I know now that having used a 19" monitor for the past 4 years, I really dont want to go back to anything smaller. Of course I do software development and I REALLY need the screen are for the umpteen toolbars and other things that go along with the actual form I'm creating.

--Randy

[Jetrock]

Another benefit of LCD monitors is that, because they are lighter, it might be easier to just fold it out of the way when not in use, and raise it back up when not working on the layout, than to try to find a higher "compromise height" for the layout.

48-54"high is good layout height for access and use, but you'll want to be able to take it off to work on it. My shelf layout is about 50" high and I can take off each module and put it on my workbench to actually do things like scenery and wiring.

[vsmith]

If your planning on standing while operating then what your describing is good. If you can get a second turn around and make a loop then I would go for a lower layout so you could enjoy watching it while your sitting working on the computer. Otherwise at 54" all you will see is the underside of the shelf. That may be OK with your wife, but not necessarily for you. Good Luck with it.

[ndbprr]

Best computer desk I ever saw was one where the monitor sat on a sloping shelf under the desk in the leg hole and the center was routed out with a piece of glass. Never could find another so you may have to do it yourself. This business of monitors at eye level is BS in my opinion as everything I ever did from first grade on was and is looking at the desktiop with the exception of computers

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

Best computer desk I ever saw was one where the monitor sat on a sloping shelf under the desk in the leg hole and the center was routed out with a piece of glass. Never could find another so you may have to do it yourself. This business of monitors at eye level is BS in my opinion as everything I ever did from first grade on was and is looking at the desktiop with the exception of computers

I saw that kind of desk years ago, but haven't seen any recently. I have seen pictures of control centers with monitor screens built into the desktops at an angle.

All of the ergonomic articles I have seen on the subject say that the top of the monitor screen should be no higher than your eyes - never have seen any limitations on how low. Personally, I put the monitor as low as possible.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Thanks. More good ideas. I particularly like the idea of adjusting a typical 30" desktop height to sink all or part of the monitor below the table top. Seems like every other time I look up at the monitor, my fingers lose their place on the keyboard. I like that idea. But my wife thinks I won't get much work done if I can sit and watch the train while I'm working. Might do it anyway!

[simon1966]

Most LCD monitors have a VESA (no idea what is stands for!) mount on the back. The VESA mount lets you use an articulating arm to mount the monitor. My company sells these to mount LCD displays on walls in medical offices and hospitals. It is a great way to allow movement of the screen and placement for viewing. Perhaps this might be a solution for your situation also?

I am planning on using an LCD on an arm above my layout to display Decoder Pro and other train applications.