Couldn’t you could actually ground the layout with a cable to the dirt outside in the unlikely event your layout got hit by lightning?
I think if you insert the very short screws so the protruding point are inside the channel formed by the sides of the studs, its unlikely you will be drawing much blood while working under the layout.
Wayne
Bob Hayes:
I just called Homedepot and was quoted a price of $2.98 for an 8’ by 2 1/2" steel stud (equivalent to a 2 x4). The online price for wood studs from Lowes’ (Homedepot does not publish wood prices on line) is $1.87 for a 2 x3, and $2.87 for Fir, $2.98 for Pine 2 x 4’s.
The MR article mentioned painting the studs and drywall. I would heartily recommend this or put the silicone sealant on any exposed screw points. Disregarding the bloodletting issue, penetrating galvanized steel with a fastener is going to expose some unprotected steel to the air and create a localized high stress point. Any rusting that occurs will initiate at these points and cause the joints to weaken. Exposed unprotected joints would be better is they were made with corrosion resistant nuts, bolts, and washers instead of the self-tapping screws.
A bit heavy on overkill, I think.
Model railroaders whose layouts have a history of falling apart due to rusting nails should heed the advice. Also in situations with extremely high humidity and under large compressive loads, such as a live steam layout in a perpetually flooded basement or outdoors.
In a normal household situation, in a reasonably dry basement, with normal layout loads, screws without any additional protection will suffice & you can reasonably expect your steel framed benchwork to outlast comparable wood framing. Barring the collapse of your house, or the raising of sea levels, your layout will stand for centuries.
If nuts, bolts & washers were necessary, then this construction method would be prohibitively expensive. It’s not necessary in home construction and isn’t in your layout.
Wayne