Welcome, Dip!
We had an Axiom owner get-together last Fall, and yes, Ian's a great guy!
Years ago, I built this to "float" my VP150 over my DLP TV. I wouldn't dare trust a VP180 on there as it is, but maybe some modifications (i.e., "four legs" instead of two) might work for you?
I wouldn't trust a shelf that wasn't in the studs. That VP18- would be front heavy and, I believe, likely pull any mount out of the drywall. Maybe a wall-mounted shelf with two front "legs" resting on the TV stand to support the front?
