Well finally the top layer of the layout is going up dad and I started this before he went to work this morning 45 minutes. I finished the front frame while it was up. Its supported with 2" clear (as clear as I could get) pvc piping used for central vacs. But on the wall its supported by a 1"X4" so far its holding greatly. Heres a couple of photos. any comments welcomed.
why didn’t you use adjustable shelf supports attached to the wall before you put up the second level? they would give you a clear view with nothing in the way and come in many different lengths to span the lower level and are very strong. i’m using them to support my lower level and also the upper level on my layout when i get around to adding it. then i’ll still have room for bookshelves and storage above and below the layout.
retsingalmrt,
It’s possible that the clear tubes are just temporary - just to see how the upper level is going to look.
Tom
Since you asked for suggestions…you state that the back of the upper level is attached to the wall through the 1x4. If that’s the case, then you can eliminate the PVC pipes against the wall. They’re simply not needed.
Here’s my idea for eliminating those bulky PVC pipes from the front. Go to Home Depot, Lowe’s, it doesn’t matter as long as they sell electrical supplies. Buy some 1/2" compression fittings for EMT (thin-wall conduit) or for Rigid pipe (thick-wall conduit) and also buy the corresponding type of conduit to match the fittings you choose. Drill a 3/4" hole (for the EMT type)in your lower bench top where you want the legs. Cut the pipe about 1" shorter than the height from the lower deck to the bottom of the upper deck. Attach the compression fitting to the pipe, drop the fitting and stand the pipe vertical and plumb. On the backside of the upper fascia, you could clamp the EMT or Rigid with a 2 hole conduit strap.
You now have a non-intrusive support that can be painted to look like a power pole and you also gain a path to get wiring from beneath the lower level up to the top level!
I hope this helps…
Don Z.
Couple of issues with some of these suggestions
the rear wall has no support. They are sliding rear walls so any support at all would cause issues we tested that. theres only a 1"x4" on the side wall and that doesnt hold to well by itself.
Second of all not to keen trusting anything smaller than 2 inches holding the basic 4’x8’ up and the pvc pipes arent really in the way of seeing anything.
All suggestions are great I maybe able to tell the financer this and see if he wants to change it but He likes this and feels more comfortable and safe.