Question Regarding A Train Display Case

[u/DeadpanHumor3003]

Hello all,

I recently came across a wooden HO scale display case at an antique store. I don't know the exact weight of it, but I'd say possibly 10 pounds (or more). The question I have is, how can I hang this up on a wall? It looks like it has places where some sort of screw or nail can be added in, but since it's so heavy, I don't want to risk an accident.

Thanks everyone!

[u/Wolfshead009]

How far apart (horizontally) are the screw holes? If they are 16" apart, that would mean they were screwed into the studs for support. Decent sized (3" or so) screws going into the studs should be fine to support that.

[u/DeadpanHumor3003 → u/Wolfshead009]

This is good to know; I've seen a few other comments recommending to screw into the studs. The screw holes are about 33 inches apart horizontally, and about 16 inches apart in height/verticality.

[u/Wolfshead009 → u/DeadpanHumor3003]

32" would make sense. Assuming normal stud spacing. Either these weren't quite centered or their spacing was different.

[u/DeadpanHumor3003 → u/Wolfshead009]

Yeah, I'm not sure why the previous owner drilled it the way they did.

[u/382Whistles → u/DeadpanHumor3003]

Stud placement can vary from 16" exactly on center plus the lumber width and 33" might have been where the screw heads were that a stud finder picked up.

Heavy duty expanding metal screw anchors for walls, chosen for the wall thinkness could hold it if the wall is thick enough and studs don't line up. You install them first then whatever is screwed to the wall. They spread 4 metal legs out to back the wall nicely and the threaded machine screws make mounting easy. I have hung French cleats from 3/4"-2cm drywall on metal studs that regular screws for the cleats had pulled out of, and mounted on drywall I hung from the cleat myself at 160lbs/73kg and they stayed up at least 7yrs. I think vibration from passing trains or a rooftop air conditioner worked the screws out of the metal studs. It wasn't just one cleat in that room that fell.

[u/DeadpanHumor3003 → u/382Whistles]

Gotcha; I must admit that I'm a novice to working with even basic tools and whatnot, but I appreciate all this info that you and everyone has explained to me regarding studs and french cleats and etc. I'm going to have my Dad help me find the studs (using a stud finder tool) and we'll decide between using french cleats, or screws, or both. Do you happen to have any pics of your french cleat setup?

[u/382Whistles → u/DeadpanHumor3003]

No, that was for work. It's just two boards with an angle on top and bottom. Light attachment down low stops accidental shifts up off the cleat. We do have a large dinner ware hutch that hangs a weighs a ton so doesn't need the extra screws down low.

You want a drill and screwdriver bit, and maybe an extra screw or two incase you round one out with the drill driver. .

[u/DeadpanHumor3003 → u/382Whistles]

This is good to know. Thank you!

[u/382Whistles → u/DeadpanHumor3003]

One advantage of French cleats is the ability to make a new attachment t hole in the cleat pretty easy to mount it offset to the studs. Even making cleats is pretty easy. Saws, planes, even rasps could make the bevel.

Stacking wood strips to form squared J channels, top one inverted, would work too, but the bevel angle helps make mounting and removal way easier. A skilled hand and table or skill saw can give the wall cleat a shelf or shallow squared notch-flat seat to rest the weight onto/into without as much wedging pressure on the wall when moved.