Replies

1. 
   jeffn7 | Jan 22, 2003 01:22am | #1

   I believe Rockler sells tracks and wheel assemblies for library-style step ladders, I would bet that you could adapt that for your project so that the forward case rolls on these tracks. Weight should not be an issue as these are intended to hold the weight of an person.

   Or you could use some heavy duty fixed casters rolling in a homemade track.

2. 
   BG | Jan 22, 2003 01:42am | #2

   Jude,

   Many different configurations of the type you are imagining are used in medical record storage.  You might want to do a goggle and see what you can learn from those companies that supply these storage units to healthcare facilities.

3. 
   johnhardy | Jan 22, 2003 01:54am | #3

   I'd have several concerns with this project:

   1. Can the structure support this load, on a per square foot basis? I've got visions of the house sinking in that area or other such problems.

   2. An 8 foot tall bookcase, filled with books, will be very heavy. I'd make sure that whatever you use in terms of hardware can handle the load and that the load could be carried by the ceiling support structure.

   3. The moveable bookcases, as heavy as they are, will still need to be moved by people. Will you and/or your wife be able to move them reasonably? An aid here might be to create the moveable bookcases in a very narrow fashion, say 2 feet wide. That way you'd move less weight each time ... although you might have to move more cases.

   4. Another option, instead of sliding bookcases, is swing out bookcases. If the system has 3 logical sections in the front (3.3 feet per section, for 10 feet total), you could either have 3 swinging sections or you could have a left and a right section which swung out. This might be easier on the hardware end and on the physical end.

   John

4. 
   Sprucegum | Jan 22, 2003 02:48am | #4

   A fully loaded bookshelf weighs 20-25 pounds per running foot, a 3 foot shelf = 75 pounds, 6 shelves in an 8 foot wall = hey this is getting heavy!

   If you could reserve the heavy stuff for the back shelves and restrict the front ones to light loads a door hinge style might work for you. I will try to post a picture of my secret storage to show you how it works for me.

   It's not what you chew, it's how you chew it
1. 
   Sprucegum | Jan 22, 2003 03:07am | #5

   This is where I store the fruits of my labors , my other hobby:-)

   Sorry about the huge pics, guess I haven't figured that out yet.

   It's not what you chew, it's how you chew it

   Edited 1/21/2003 10:39:03 PM ET by Sprucegum