Fixed Shelves vs. Adjustable

Use the "golden rule".

The He who has the gold makes the rules.

My 2 cents... Go with the fixed shelves. One section for standard and another for O. Even spacing will look better in the long run. Make enough to grow into. It's no fun to come back later and try to match what you did years before.

I'd go with the fixed shelves also. That's the plan I'm going with once I start to remodel the basement my trains are currently in. Planning on several "shadow box" types that are 8'x6' with the 1x4 shelves spaced roughly 5" apart with grooves routed in them for the flanges. I'm planning on mounting the shelf boxes to spacer strips 3/4" thick on the cinder block walls just to allow air to circulate behind them so I won't have to worry about any kind of warping. The walls have already been Drylocked and I may just leave them white and maybe paint the boxes a dove gray altho I do like the look of a cream or ivory for the shelves.

 

Jerry

Definitely going with fixed shelves after further consideration. Here is the plan: Will have (3) sheets 4'x8' mounted to wallboard so we will have a run of 24' long by 4' high. We are going to frame it like a picture frame around the perimeter. Then each board will have shelves mounted to it that are 4" deep with a tiny lip so the trains do not roll off.

 

Essentially, I could remove each panel from the wall without really tearing up the drywall to change shelf configuration if needed. It would still be a big project but certainly doable with minimal wall damage.

 

I am just a little worried about the poplar boards warping or sagging under weight of engines. Also, we will have to have a very strong fastening system for the shelves.

 

It would be a disaster to see a whole section fall off the fall and lose some nice engines!

 

 

How are you going to attach the shelves to the panels?

Well, good question! I must first admit that I am not actually doing the work myself. A carpender who just built a built in wall unit in our living room is doing it. He did mention fastening it from the back of the board but he wants to be very cautious of its ability not to warp. He does some pretty fine work so I am sure he is pretty skilled.

 

It would not hurt to get some suggestions though for sure if that is where you are going. Did you have some suggestions?

 

Thanks...DenverO

quote:

Did you have some suggestions?

 

Were the shelving units mine, I'd have concerns about the shelves being fastened from the back only, with no brackets underneath.

Being that the shelves are only going to be four inches deep, I guess you will be OK.

 

I'd go with using both glue and screws to secure the shelves.

I'd also want to be certain that the panels are strong (thick) enough to withstand the twisting force that the shelves are going to create.

 

I can only suggest that you make certain that your carpenter is aware of the weight that will be placed on the shelves.

C.W.

 

Thanks for the suggestions with Glue/Screws combo. We are actually going to pick a few different engine, weigh them and do a worse case weight scenario on a test shelf. Hopefully, it will work out.

 

I will post pictures on this thread when they are complete. I have a pretty good vision of the look so hopefully it will come together and STAY together.

 

DenverO

Adjustable shelves have the advantage to be adjustable. However, after being adjusted and set once, they usually are never adjusted again. Just a thought. Also I put in fixed shelves. David

David, I did end up going the fixed shelf route. They ought to be done in about a week and a half and will post some pictures then.

Shelf weight and shear force are always an interesting discussion when talking about trains that are relatively heavy.  I found the extruded shelving to be O.K. for me, used #10 X 1 1/2" screws with good results.  Wall studs were 24" OC.
I believe that it was $1 per cut to have the shelves cut  to fit.  6 ft is standard length, I think. It has been a while since this project.

The shelves fill quickly.  Thought was,:There shouldn't be anything in a box.  Most recent pictures.

Most recent shelving section added.  These sections came pre-cut to fit.  I do a layout before ordering pre-cut  shelving so that I know how many screws will support each shelf. 

8 to 10 pounds average per unit/locomotive adds quickly. Shear force and attachment to the wall is a very important consideration with any shelving. 

An earthquake would sure make a mess.

 

Ken