I have been browsing the internet for ideas or plans on how to build a pop-up shelf. What I’m trying to do is build a shelf that will pop-under my layout table for my transformers, etc. That way, I can have a space when not runing my trains. I have limited space and need to come up with some idea how to do this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m hoping you all understand what I’m trying to do here.
[:-^]
Hi Jon,
Take a look at computer keyboard trays. There are alot of different styles, but all with roll under hardware that could be adjusted or extended for your use. A couple of these should make a nice control panel base.[8D]
Johnboy out…
Both look good to fill your description. I have thought of a similar situation, a simple drawer type arrangement. It wouldn’t pop up, but it would be simpler and less expensive. A piece of plywood with tracks on the sides to slide on, a stop to keep it from comming out too far. A full height back that would stay 5"-6" under the table would keep it from tilting downward. The open space between the drawer tracks would let your wires move easily without tangling.
Just a simple option,
Good luck,
You might also want to look at an office supply place, and pick up a cheap roll-away printer stand. It would be on wheels, but not attached to your layout. You would be responsible for not pulling out wires when you move it, but it would be possible to roll it out of the way in different directions, which might prove useful when wiring directly above it.
But, have you thought about running with a tethered throttle, or even wireless? That would free you from the transformer. I’m running DCC, and my power supplies are tucked into a shelf under the layout. I never even see them. Once I hit the power switch, all my interactions are from the fascia-mounted turnout panels and the hand-held throttles.
I have thought of using a drawer from a small night stand. I’m keeping an eye open for one at yard sales and when I go to flea-markets. I plan to cut the night stand just below the draw runners and mount what’s left under my layout with a hole at the back for the wires to exit the drawer along with maybe a notch in the draw face.
Try yard sales or a used furniture store or a Goodwill or Salvation Army store for an old microwave cart or serving cart.[:)]
You can just buy the drawer slides at a hardware store. You don’t need a whole drawer - a piece of plywood will do nicely. Mount some framework beneath that layout, attach the slides and you’re done. They usually come with mechanical stops to keep the drawer from over-extending and falling out. Nightstands, by the way, typically just use a wood frame - no metal sliders/rollers at all. That’s fine if all you’re keeping in there is your teeth, but for the weight of transformers, that wood-on-wood mounting isn’t going to work as smoothly as you’d like. Nightstand drawers don’t have mechanical stops, either, so if you pull them out too far you could end up with a case of Transformer Toe.
Go to any hardware store and ask for Drawer Guide Hardware.
They are about $4 each.
Hey guys want to thank averyone who answered my posting and especially WaxonWaxov. That one was what I was really looking for. Now if I could only find one that a little less expensive. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks. Have a great day and keep on railroading.
No problem. It helped that I had thumbed-through the Rockler catalog about an hour before I read your post.