Just picking up on Hugh's suggestion I have created this new thread for Layout Legs.
I'm aware that some bracing will be needed before the final outcome can be assessed. However, there is quite a lot of play in the hinges ( I have made H shaped legs, hinged to the baseboard so that they fold underneath) and this will likely increase when I take the pins out of some of the hinges : those hinges that will support the cross bracing. The layout is to be 1.2m high because of my back so any play in the fittings creates considerable movement on the layout.
I was at the Nottingham show at the weekend and took more than the usual amount of interest in legs ! (and there rests the defence case your honour ).
There were a lot of A frames used but also on a number of layouts there was a slot in system whereby the legs slotted into the baseboard and were secured by bolts and wing nuts. These looked quite stable but I'm not sure how they would be intially set up other than by two people. The show was very busy and I didn't get a chance to ask the operators about this - I just wondered if anyone used a similar system.
Bob
Bob
I got the legs for Angst from IKEA from their Antonius range, (which, after some days searching, I find they seem to have stopped making).
I'll take a photo or two for illustration sometime. The legs are steel and they provide some stability to the layout by taking the centre of gravity downwards.
I too have resorted to Ikea trestles but I have used wooden ones with a height adjustment. They also have a very useful shelf near the floor. They are meant for desks and allow for a front to back tilt, which begins to suggest a new slant on layout design! (Pun intended!)
My over engineered A frames seemed to do the job at NGN. With the layout being L shaped it made a very sturdy structure. Even when the whole thing was barged by over enthusiastic there was no danger of movement. I might find a way of attaching the baseboards to the legs to make it even more solid.
If I was building them again I would find a better way to make them portable, at the moment I use an electric screwdriver to remove the screw that holds the cross piece onto the leg frames. I did use magnetic catches initially but they were a bit flimsy.
Nobody ever liked my legs before. ;D
John W
John,
I'm sorry to tell you this but I have been looking at other legs as well, not just yours !
For the sake of sanity I have attached a picture I took where we are both looking at your legs !!
On a serious note, many thanks for your help.
Bob
Right - got some photos of Angst's legs.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhnorwood.co.uk%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Flegs01.jpg&hash=653b390d8eb23ae2772922bc08329860aff8a1c9)
One pair - made from a pair of Antonius legs and one horizontal. The layout rests on the wood on the top. The legs are telescopic and have levelling feet.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhnorwood.co.uk%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Flegs02.jpg&hash=7e3dda68a1d87387b7ec8ed6da42a66ae6ab61a7)
Here we have two pairs of legs fixed together with a cross-brace. The shelf serves to support the transformers and also sets the two pairs of legs parallel to each other.
There is one further pair of legs that attach to the left of these.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhnorwood.co.uk%2Ffiles%2Fimages%2Flegs03.jpg&hash=75c674a36acc10391c826a7f32fa2178c910486f)
This is a close-up of the quick-release catches I made so that the legs could be put up and taken down quickly. The aluminium angle and perforated strip I got from "Hobbies"
The layout is held in place on the top by the use of three two-part nylon blocks used to make furniture from chipboard. The river Angst is put on at the front and also helps keep the structure rigid.
Techno legs!
John W ;D