Need some audio rack designs...

[MSkeezer]

Anyone know where I can find some good audio rack designs? I want to build one myself(trying to follow in dad's footsteps) and need some help. I'd really like something as basic as possible as I don't have much woodworking skills. I did manage to build some decent acoustic panels that turned out ok, so I have a little comfort in doing this. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

[Shizelbs]

Pump.

I also would be interested in such a project.

[Gaara]

Just build a flexy rack, doesn't require much skill to do and comes out great. here (http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html) is the link, I've got a picture of mine in my system, and am in the process of building another one.

Very flexible, you can build one that is two, three, four, five(mine), six...racks, you can have a three, four, or five leg design(mine), you can have standard shelves, staggered shelves, whatever you want to do with it.

Jared

[Early B.]

Build a stackable rack where each shelf is a separate unit like the one pictured below. I have a similar shelf and it's great when you need to take your system down and put it back again.

[unc2701]

+1 on the flexirack. I did it w/ hardwood & hung the whole thing from the ceiling and it looks awesome. Total cost was under $100 for 6 nineteen inch component sized shelves and 3 fifty inch widescreen TV sized shelves.

[dorokusai]

I think the DIY Flex type rack is a cool idea....easy and cheap. You can also customize it by using different woods, sleeves for the rods, different hardware, etc.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html

[MSkeezer]

Awesome ideas. Thanks a ton.

[Shizelbs]

Agreed. I know what I am doing this weekend now.

[BrandonR]

It's made from solid Sapele and Purpleheart. I purchased the isolation spikes on the net. Was a lot of fun to do and can't wait to get everything in and begin using!!!

http://www.pbase.com/brandonrowe/audio_system

[AndyGwis]

Nice DK integrated.

[zingo]

The Flexy table is a good design, and REAL easy to do. You could do the whole thing in half a day, then spend the rest of the day to brag to your friends about how handy with tools you are!

[mhartman29]

Anyone know where to get the threaded stainless steel bars? I stopped by Home Depot today, but no luck.

[BlueMDPicker]

AKA: All thread rod. Should be available in most building supply (or plumbing supply) stores.

[mhartman29]

Great, thank you!

[BaggedLancer]

Anyone know where to get the threaded stainless steel bars? I stopped by Home Depot today, but no luck.

Plumbing section, they HAVE to have it....probably one of the most commonly used items in plumbing other than pipes and fittings.

[nspindel]

How's that scotch BrandonR? Always interested in new scotches...

[strider]

Anyone know where to get the threaded stainless steel bars? I stopped by Home Depot today, but no luck.

Try McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/). They have a great selection of threaded rod (some also call it all thread); any thread/diameter/material you should need. Also any hardware like washers, nuts. Much cheaper then HD, even with shipping, which for me has been overnight every time without extra charge.

[Lasareath]

http://boltz.com/showitems.asp?deptcode1=504

[avguytx]

I keep looking at racks I like and it reaffirms that I am going to build one! The prices are just too much for me to want to shell out. Plus, I can even buy BDI and a couple of other (more basic) furniture lines for cost and I still don't wanna pay it! I gotta get started on a Flexy rack as soon as I get this friggin demo vehicle out of my garage.

[BeRad]

One idea I would like to do someday is Get the shelves cut out of quarter inch clear safety glass. Then have blue leds shining from the side (drilled into the wood that makes up the sides of the rack). This will give the front edge of the shelf a blue glowing effect.

[Lasareath]

One idea I would like to do someday is Get the shelves cut out of quarter inch clear safety glass. Then have blue leds shining from the side (drilled into the wood that makes up the sides of the rack). This will give the front edge of the shelf a blue glowing effect.

Like my Mouse Pad?

[mhartman29]

Has anyone done this with the all thread as described on the tnt flexy table site? I picked up some all thread and I'm questioning how good this will look in the end. I love BrandonR's version, but that wouldn't be as easy to do.

[avguytx]

If you get the basic all thread, I would paint it black or some matching color. You can always touch up the scuffed spots after you screw it all together. Or, get the black coated stuff that's all ready to go. That's what I'm deliberating on myself as I want the black all thread.

[mhartman29]

That's a good idea. I was considering that as well. Does anyone have any thoughts about adding a back for wire management?

[strider]

Has anyone done this with the all thread as described on the tnt flexy table site? I picked up some all thread and I'm questioning how good this will look in the end. I love BrandonR's version, but that wouldn't be as easy to do.

Yep. Check mine out here (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59592&highlight=rack).

[mhartman29]

I remember seeing yours before. Absolutely stunning. I just spent the weekend trying to stain some birch plywood that I bought for the shelves. I wish I had 1/4 of your wife's skill to make mine look like yours!

Speaking of my setup, does anyone have any ideas how to stain the edges of the plywood? You can see the various layers of the wood and it isn't taking the stain very well. I'm hoping to find a way to cover that up.

[strider]

I remember seeing yours before. Absolutely stunning. I just spent the weekend trying to stain some birch plywood that I bought for the shelves. I wish I had 1/4 of your wife's skill to make mine look like yours!

Speaking of my setup, does anyone have any ideas how to stain the edges of the plywood? You can see the various layers of the wood and it isn't taking the stain very well. I'm hoping to find a way to cover that up.

You and me both. She'll tell me the steps, what to use, and expects me to follow. I'll stand there with the brush in my hand for an hour or so, staring at the project, mouth agape, 'itl she comes down and does it for me. I also ask a lot of stupid questions, repeatedly. I do the same thing when we're painting the house.

I don't know how well you're going to do staining the edge of plywood. You might try either some edge banding from a veneer supplier or getting a couple of pieces of solid birch in the correct thickness, cutting to fit, and gluing to the edges. Check out boywonder's thread on veneering Monitors in the Vintage Speakers section, what he did on the face of the cabinets is similar to what I'm talking about.

[unc2701]

I've done both the above with pretty good success. If you use veneer, make sure you take your time & trim it well- otherwise it chips when you drag your gear on & off of it. Using the solid wood is more expensive, but I can do it just as fast as the veneer & it adds some strength.

[mhartman29]

Just a FYI for anyone in the same situation as me (staining plywood). I found some iron on veneer at HD called BandIt that seems to be working well so far. It was easy to apply and I can then stain the edges of the wood so that everything matches nicely.

http://www.band-itproducts.com/index.php?do=commerce:commercial_products:wood:edg ing:preglued

[Bill Ayotte]

Mmmmmmmm.....Now I have something to occupy my time, and a reason to make a mess in the garage....I'm thinking about designing some small speaker stands, like 6-10", for use on a desk or dresser. Steel, lost likely...

[zingo]

Lasareath, as much as I think your mouse pad is the coolest thing ever, I was un aware that people still used mouse pads. Ya learn something every day.

[BrandonR]

The veneer option would probably be the best for the plywood edges. As for the staining itself I might suggest trying an oil-based stain. I have used "Mohawk" brand with pretty good success. The oil based will give good even coverage but more importantly it won't cause the grain to raise up and result in all the bumps. You may have to go to a woodworking store to find as most found in HD or Lowes like Minwax are probably water-based. Hope that helps some.

Take Care,

Brandon

[mhartman29]

Nearing completion on my unit. I will post some pics if you promise not to compare it to anything that strider has done!

What did you all use for feet on the all thread? Just plain rubber feet? Did you use anything to absorb vibrations?

[unc2701]

File/grind them to points, then put brass discs under, if you've got hardwoods.

[strider]

File/grind them to points, then put brass discs under, if you've got hardwoods.

This is what I did as well. Used a bench grinder and was surprised at the results. Another option would be to cap them off with acorn nuts. Not quite as fine a point as grinding, but much easier.

[unc2701]

This is what I did as well. Used a bench grinder and was surprised at the results. Another option would be to cap them off with acorn nuts. Not quite as fine a point as grinding, but much easier.

I've done that as well, but I ground the acorn to get more of a point- was definitely not cool when one popped out of my vice grips and went flying around the garage.

[skipf]

If you don't like the look of exposed all thread, just cut some tube to the lengths required and slide it over the all thread. You can get tube in just about any material desired, brass, stainless, anodized alum, etc.

[SBrown712]

I really like the looks of these racks. I may have to give this a try myself. Why wouldn't you use furniture grade plywood instead of MDF and veneer? You would have to use something like Badit or a veneer on the edges but cut it, drill holes, stain it and put it together and you're done.