Tables/Mounts for 4x6 layout

RobertInOntario

Active Member
Well, I've been doing some measuring in our basement tonight trying to figure out a new location for my 4x6 layout. My previous/related thread on this ( http://forum.zealot.com/t156625/ ) explains more.

Tonight, I found a small corner in the basement where we didn't think there was enough room for the layout. By eyeballing this corner, you wouldn't think there is room. But, after measuring it, I've found out there is! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: I could possibly have the layout set up permanently in this corner.

While I'm still considering mounting the layout on saw horses, I think it would be more stable to set it up on a table. FYI, the ceiling in our basement is quite low, well under 6 feet, so this rules out attaching the layout to the wall via hinges (because it would be too low to the ground -- I want to keep it up higher where the kids can't tamper with it).

So I'm now thinking of finding a basic dining table (or something similar) to set the layout on.

Any suggestions or thoughts? A guy at an LHS tonight suggested an old ping pong table.

Thanks in advance.

Rob
 

scubadude

Member
I remember the ping pong table we had when I was a kid was kind of wobbly. I think you might have to shore it up before you used it. Also, if it's in a corner, the back would be hard to reach...my layout is L shaped 30" wide, and I can barely reach the back corner. Maybe pull it out a ways from the wall....other than that, go man, go.....:thumb:
 

RobertInOntario

Active Member
I remember the ping pong table we had when I was a kid was kind of wobbly. I think you might have to shore it up before you used it. Also, if it's in a corner, the back would be hard to reach...my layout is L shaped 30" wide, and I can barely reach the back corner. Maybe pull it out a ways from the wall....other than that, go man, go.....:thumb:

Thanks! Good point about the accessibility if it's right against the wall. I'm hoping it will be portable enough to slide out if I need to move a stalled train, etc. I'm also hoping that most of the scenery will be done by the time it's moved into that location. And yes, I don't think a ping pong table would be the way to go -- I think any good table (or even the saw horse option) would be good. FYI, the layout will be nestled between two walls and a very large and solid shelving unit that's bolted to the wall, so that will give it extra support.

Thanks again,
Rob
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Robert,

A few suggestions. If you don't want to move it around a lot, try these folding table legs.

If you do want to scoot it around fairly often, I'd suggest building a 1x3 frame under your table (it's just a plywood tabletop, right?) with 2x2 legs, cross-braced with 1x2, and casters on each leg. I'd get threaded-shaft casters and put a t-nut on the end of the 2x2s so you can level the table.

If your tabletop is strong enough, you could put threaded-pipe mounting plates on the underside, and used threaded pipe for legs.
 

RobertInOntario

Active Member
Robert,

A few suggestions. If you don't want to move it around a lot, try these ... If your tabletop is strong enough, you could put threaded-pipe mounting plates on the underside, and used threaded pipe for legs.

Thanks, Squidbait. I especially like the idea of getting a collapsable table -- the kind you see in school gyms or church halls. That would be perfect as it doesn't cost a lot and it folds up. I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier as I often fold up and carry these tables around at church. Thanks for looking up these two items at Cdn Tire and Home Depot.

I might want to put some blocks of wood or make a frame under the layout to make it even higher.

Rob
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Robert,

You may want to put a frame under it anyway, just to give it a bit more rigidity, especially if it's just plywood.
 

60103

Pooh Bah
Rob: sliding the table out to get at a derailed train may result in more derailed train and some on the floor.
 

RobertInOntario

Active Member
Robert,

You may want to put a frame under it anyway, just to give it a bit more rigidity, especially if it's just plywood.

Yes, it is a sheet of plywood but it does have a very crude frame under it (I'm no carpenter!). It's fairly basic and only slightly improves its rigidity. I still like the idea of setting it on another frame (or something similar) to make it higher.

Thanks again,
Rob
 
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