I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how to best build a hook and securing mechanism for a staging cassette that will hang off the layout into space (i.e. not supported by a surface beneath). It clearly needs to be weight-bearing and keep the cassette aligned. Some googling in other forums gave me this mock-up:
which might be a useful starting point. I’m planning to have a few cassettes of different lengths, and at least one that will act like a small yard (that one probably will need a folding support leg.) Does anybody here use hanging cassettes for staging and, if so, would you share your design?
My casette system is a carfloat. I built one and have another kit on the to-be-done shelf. The apron protrudes a bit from the benchwork, and the base is supported on a folding shelf. It is hinged at the layout end. Here it is folded down.
And here it’s lifted up. I didn’t have the leg installed yet, so I’m holding it up with one hand while taking the picture with the other.
The casette is the complete package of carfloat, foam base and masonite edging.
Finally, the base gets a lthin coating of tinted Envirotex and details are added to the carfloat.
