Benchwork mounting

[CSXFan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Z
The vertical leg with the C clamp is a temporary brace. The strongest way to use these braces is to make the brace go down the wall a distance equal to the width of your layout deck. If your deck is 30" deep, you want the leg to go down the wall 30" also to form a right triangle. If you use equal length legs, your cuts will be at 45 degree angles. If they are of different lengths, then it's time to break out the trigonometry calculator.

Thanks for the tip, I was wondering how to make it the strongest and that looks like the easyest way.

[Don Z]

CSXfan,

You're on the right track (pardon the pun) using the angled bracket to support your layout. Here's an example of how I'm supporting my layout in the same manner you want to use:


The vertical leg with the C clamp is a temporary brace. The strongest way to use these braces is to make the brace go down the wall a distance equal to the width of your layout deck. If your deck is 30" deep, you want the leg to go down the wall 30" also to form a right triangle. If you use equal length legs, your cuts will be at 45 degree angles. If they are of different lengths, then it's time to break out the trigonometry calculator.

Don Z.

[CSXFan]

Those are pretty good ideas. Thanks!
Would I be able to lean, stand, and jump on the benchwork without problems? (I tend to do that when I'm frustrated [:D]) The last thing I need is for my benchwork to collapse as I'm laying the last piece of track down!

I know my plan is a little wide but it was all I could do with the space I have. I will have a liftout for building and maintenance in the widest part. The layout won't be too high off the floor and I don't mind working on a stool either.

[spidge]

I liked the wooden home-made brackets.


see my link below for more.

[JCasey]

Jordan,
Here are a couple links to articles by Lionel Strang which show two different methods for supporting benchwork. I am using the second method, the cantilever method (pict included) which is very strong.

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/527rehbo.asp
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/389evpgm.asp



Hope this helps, John

[CascadeBob]

You may want to look at an article by Don Spiro on page 72 of the October, 2005 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman in which he describes building a layout attached to the wall with a heavy duty shelf braket system made by Dorfile and available at Home Depot.

I am also preparing to start an around-the-wall N scale layout which I plan to attach directly to the wall with screws or lag bolts into the wall studs. I've not yet decided whether I'll use legs on the free edge or angle braces from the frame to the wall studs.

You should be careful how wide you make your benchwork. Usually when it is accessable from only one side, as in a wall-mounted layout, it should not be more than 24" wide, with 30" the maximum if you have only scenery components along the wall that will not require maintenance. The widthto use is also a function of how high the benchwork is off the floor. The higher it is, the narrower it should be because of problem of reaching the back portion of the benchwork, unless you don't mind working on a step stool.

Hope this is of some help,
Bob

[CSXFan]

Hi all,
I have started the benchwork planning phase and I need some help. The layout is an around the walls type and I was wondering what the best way is to mount the benchwork to the wall. I would like to keep the underside of the layout clear of legs so I can use the space for storage.

Here is the outline for the bechwork


This is what would like to do but I don't know if it will be able to support the larger sections


Are there any other strong / inexpensive / easy alternatives that you would recommend? Thanks for any help!