How wide can a "shelf" layout be?

[fwright]

WickhamMan, it looks like they make 20" shelf brackets so then you wouldn’t have to bother with extending them at all. If you only have 4" cantilevered over the end of the bracket, you should be fine.

Even if you can’t find the 20" and have to go with 16" I wouldn’t worry too much, you’ve still got 2/3 of the 24" on the bracket. A little plywood might go a long way with this type of design though, to reduce sagging between the brackets. (Then just put your foam on top.)

This also leaves someplace to run your wiring, out in front of the brackets.

Check this out: http://www.reganspace.com/Trains/bench%20work%20and%20backdrop.html

A possible issue to be aware of with shelf systems and layouts is non-square, non-vertical, curved walls. Happens more often than one would think - or maybe I’m just lucky.[banghead]

The tip of your shelf brackets are attempting to be a level, straight line in space, and starting from a base that t’ain’t necessarily so. It make take some adjustment to get the bracket tips right. Having to shim the vertical tracks is not unusual - at least for me.

yours in wall banging

Fred W

[nucat78]

A possible issue to be aware of with shelf systems and layouts is non-square, non-vertical, curved walls. Happens more often than one would think - or maybe I’m just lucky.

The tip of your shelf brackets are attempting to be a level, straight line in space, and starting from a base that t’ain’t necessarily so. It make take some adjustment to get the bracket tips right. Having to shim the vertical tracks is not unusual - at least for me.

Heh. Good point. But it’s still less carpentry than building benchwork supports, if carpentry is something you’re trying to minimize.

Actually, I’ve found virtually all my walls to be vertical, but none of the corners are square…

[tgindy]

I’m considering using shelf brackets for my next “around the room” layout. Does anyone have a good feel for how wide a layout I can make using this type of support system?

I would heartily recommend a 4-part shelf layout series using shelf brackets from the September-December 2005 Railroad Model Craftsman by Don Spiro…

09-2005 Part 1 => 8 pages - “Things to think about before you build”

10-2005 Part 2 => 7 pages - “Benchwork construction”

11-2005 Part 3 => 7 pages - “Track planning”

12-2006 Part 4 => 7 pages - “An alternative approach to backdrop painting using model photos”

The Dorfile Shelf System is used in Part 2 and quoting from two pictures on page 73: The components (above) of the Dorfile shelf system: note the brackets are not the single arm type usually used on adjustable shelves, but are “doubled over.” This eliminates sideways deflection and twisting under load. Use a level when installing the rails.

A second two picture quote on page 73: The shelf rails and brackets (above left) are easy to install and adjust for height. The author used a simple frame of 1"x2" around the perimeters of the plywood shelves, along with a crosspiece near their middles. This frame with the odd cutout is for a section of the layout that runs on a high fill. The missing piece will be placed on shelf brackets lower than the adjacent benchwork.

The widest shelf width was 24 inches, and not all shelf widths were 24 inches. With the way the shelves are supported, and how it is securely fastened to the wall, the actual supporting weight in a sense is not something to worry about.

The construction techniques used here, and the extensive use of forced perspective with the scenery & buildings are really going to come in handy, and; w