[Boatanchors] Seeking Shelf Advice

[fkamp at comcast.net]

Freeberg, Scott (STP) wrote:
> I'm in the process of adding some new tables to the shack and I'd like some shelf advice.  The new tables will allow me to have more stations wired up and available for use.  Right now more than 1/2 of my stations are on the shelf in the back room.  I'm hoping to bring most of those stations into the shack so I can use them.
> 
> I've moved nearly everything around in the shack last weekend as I put in the three new radio tables.  I've got two tables along a wall, and a third table butts up against the 'wall tables' and becomes an "L".  I'm thinking of adding a shelf above one or two of the tables that will handle a heavy AM station like my Valiant/NC-300 or the Hammarlund HX-50/HXL-ONE/HQ-180 station.   What I'd like is the least amount of shelf possible, meaning not massive, not a hutch, not cubby holes.  I want to see radios, not wood.
> 
> There is a studded wall behind the tables. 
> 
> I've seen some examples of folks using a wall stud mounted shelf for heavy stuff.  While I can't imagine a heavy AM station being totally supported by a wall stud shelf, I see the photos of Brian Harris's station, and he's got a ton of heavy iron on those wall mounted moveable shelf brackets.  Its the type where you screw in vertical channel on each wall stud, then a bracket slips into the channel, and you put a piece of wood on the bracket.  Are any of you guys using that type of arrangement?
> 

I have used that kind of shelving in the past, but 
never for even moderately heavy equipment.

Perhaps there is heavy duty hardware available 
today, but the stuff I used was pretty light weight.

I use shelves that are securely supported by the 
table top they sit on.  Take a look at the station 
shelf I built at 
http://k5dkz.home.comcast.net/woodworking.html
It is the second picture from the top.

This is a shelf within a shelf.  The lower shelf 
is angled to tilt the rigs up toward the operator. 
  Both shelves are supported by the table top. 
The top shelf is sturdy enough to securely support 
the heavy linear amp.

With the side support legs access to the back of 
the radios is restricted, but I can get to the 
cabling by pulling the desk forward from the wall.

The good thing is that there is no danger of the 
shelf collapsing.

Regards,
Frank Kamp
K5dkz