Shorter or Longer Lengths of Plywood?

[PSFRR]

I have an N-Scale shelf layout built on existing wooden shelves which run around the four walls of my home office. I want to expand the width of the shelf space to allow for a third track and more display space. I plan on mounting plywood on top of each shelf, extending the shelf width by approximately ½ inch. Each shelf is now approximately 12' long x 8" wide. 

 

Questions: 

 

1)        Should I purchase plywood in 12 foot sections, i.e. 12' x 8.5"; or should I purchase smaller sections, i.e. 6' x 8.5", in order to minimize the chances of warping?

 

2)        Should I purchase plywood for this? Other wood? Suggestions?

[Doughless]

I'm not a carpenter, but I would think the deciding factor on size would be how easy it is to transport and work with.  Personally, I wouldn't want to tote around a 12 foot length of PW.

Length should not matter in terms of warping.  Its how the PW is supported.  Since you're mounting it on existing bench table top and only protruding 1/2 inch, adding the extra PW should not affect warping (assuming your existing layout isn't already warping).

[dehusman]

Plywood normally comes in 8 foot lengths so it will cost you MANY more $$ to get a 12 ft long piece (if you can find anybody that carries it).

Your most economical option will be to buy a 1/2 sheet of plywood (4 ft x 4 ft) and have them cut three 4 ft x 8.5 sections (why not throw caution to the wind and make them 4 ft x 9 inches). You will end up with  large scrap piece.

[MisterBeasley]

I'd also be concerned about getting the plywood into the room and installing it.  Then, consider getting it out again to move or rearrange the layout.

You might consider foam rather than plywood.  It's much lighter and with plywood already underneath it you can make it work with only a half inch layer.

[BATMAN]

Can you show us what the shelves look like now and how they are mounted? Depending on how they are mounted I would consider buying the same type of material as wide as your expansion will be and glue the strip along the back edge of the existing one. A good carpentry glue will be stronger than the wood itself. It would also be cost effective as you can just buy the size of strip you need.

[IRONROOSTER]

For a 1/2 inch extension, I would glue a 1x1 (actual 3/4 x 3/4) to the front.  Or you can screw it on.  If you use hot glue, you can later reheat the glue to soften it and remove it.  Depends on what future use you might want to make of your shelf.

As for plywood.  The best is baltic birch 13 ply 3/4", it will do very nicely for shelves.  You can use it instead of the existing shelves.  4x8 or 5x5 seem to be the standard sizes.  The big box stores don't carry this - their birch, if they have it, is generally 9 plies or less, as well as not Baltic birch.

Paul

[BATMAN]

If the actual shelves are laminate particle board, the back edge is likely exposed. Buying a 1" wide laminate strip to add will also have an exposed edge and the two can be glued together nicely.

Gluing the strip to the front will not look good IMO. If it is on the back of the shelf, it will hardly be noticed. A lot depends on the kind/ style of brackets holding up the shelves.

 

[floridaflyer]

Gluing a strip on the back seems like a really good solution. It would depend on where you want the added width. If you are going to add the extra track to the front then the strip would go on the front(assuming you are not going to move existing track). But either way adding a strip is far less expensive and easier than adding a wider surface all the way around the room.

[rrinker]

 You can GET 12' plywood sheets - but a 4x8 sheet is PLENTY heavy and somewhat unwieldy. I'd hate to try to move around a 4x12 sheet.

 1/2" overhang that is supports with an 8" wide piece underneath that - so it sounds like there is an existing 8" wide shelf and an 8 1/2" wide piece fo plywood is going on top should not need any additional support - that 1/2" is not goign to sag. Heck, CENTER it on the shelf and you have 1/4" overhang on each edge - absolutely not going to sag. 

                                  --Randy 

[riogrande5761]

No question, 12 foot long sheets would be crazy unwieldy.  I'd rather go with 8' sheets for sure.  It's really a no-brainer.

[doctorwayne]

to the MR Forums, PFSRR!

 

I'd go with adding a strip of wood to the existing shelves, glued and screwed on either the front or back.  Buying a sheet (or sheets) of plywood to gain a half-inch of depth on shelving is not a wise use of your money, nor of your time, as you could accomplish the task with less work and less mess using the strips.  They'd be a lot easier to handle, too.

Wayne

[BigDaddy]

Ditto on the welcome.  Your posts are initially moderated, which may be why we haven't heard from you. 

We don't know your shelves are made of nor how they are constructed.  EDIT  I reread your post and I now think you want to replace the shelves, not add something to the top or sides.

I'm not a n-scale guy, is 8.5" enough room for tracks and scenery?  Another couple inches would get you a lot more room for structures, and landscaping. 

I am amazed there actually are readily available 12' sheets of plywood. 

[BATMAN]

BigDaddy

I am amazed there actually are readily available 12' sheets of plywood. 

I have a 5/8  5' x 10' and 5' x 12' sheet in my garage now. Came from a guy that makes big real estate signs. We have a specialty plywood shop near here that sells big sheets. They are not cheap.

The largest sheet you can buy is 9' x 45'. Now that's a plywood Pacific!

[doctorwayne]

BATMAN

....The largest sheet you can buy is 9' x 45'. Now that's a plywood Pacific!....

Once you get it in the door and carry it down to the basement, just add four legs and it's track layin' time!

Wayne

[zstripe]

I would go with adding a piece to the existing shelfs on the backside. Go to a lumber yard or big box store and ask for ''parting stop" 1/2 X 3/4 use the 3/4 side for Your extension.......so You have 3/4's instead of a half. Either glue or use finishing nails to attach. Much easier to do than messing with plywood for that size.

The link is for an example. Just get the pine wood one, does not have to be painted or have the fancy edge. I see they call them parting bead now..instead of parting stop, which I have always called it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kelleher-1-2-in-x-3-4-in-Treated-Pine-Parting-Bead-Moulding-TRP320PR/202071738

Take Care! 

Frank

 

[hon30critter]

Hi PSFRR:

Welcome to the forums!!     

I'm in agreement with the others who have said that using 12' sections of plywood is overkill. If you only need 1/2" then adding a thin strip to the existing shelves would seem to be the way to go.

I'm also in agreement with the suggestion to consider adding more than 1/2". If you were to add two or three inches the additional space would give you a lot more options. One would be the ability to run the tracks at a bit of an angle from the front edge of the shelves. In other words, you could add some gentle curves to the tracks in a few places. That will make the scene more interesting visually. You would also be able to add more variations in the scenery and/or add more structures or a road or an extra siding.

Just my  worth.

Cheers!!

Dave

 

[PSFRR]

Thanks for contributing to my first-ever post! I was overwhelmed with over 15 instant responses, all of which immediately contributed to my knowledge and thinking. Thanks to all and to Model Railroader for making this possible!

 

Paul 

PSFRR 

[PSFRR]

Thanks! I'm all for non-crazy and wieldy. My brain needs no-brainer solutions!

 

 

Paul

PSFRR