jt, I’m getting six of the 4-compartment 27-1/2" x 27-1/2" x 13-3/4" EKET’s, stacking them three high as two separate racks (a 12-pack of connecting hardware is available for securing multiple EKET’s to each other for stability, a real good idea). For the base of each stack I’m going with the 27-1/2" x 13-3/4" birch "underframe". Since the 4-cube EKET is 2 compartments wide, I too thought it might not be supported enough in the middle for the weight of LP’s by the long span of that underframe, as the frame has a foot at each of its four corners only, not in the middle of its 27-1/2" length. What one can do is get two of the shorter underframes, which are 9-7/8" long, rather than one long one. Two of the shorter frames side-by-side are the same length as a single longer one, but there will then be support in the middle of the EKET provided by the two "inner" feet of each underframe---the two 9-7/8" underframes will meet in the middle of the 2-compartment wide EKET, providing support there. I took a look at the longer underframe, and it appears plenty stiff enough to not bow under the weight of even a fully-loaded 2-cube wide EKET. But for anyone wanting to take extra precaution that option is available. The legs of the underframe, by the way, have height-adjustable feet, for leveling. The longer underframe is priced at $15, the shorter at $10.
New Ikea storage unit great for LP's!
Desiring new racks for my LP’s, and hearing that the Ikea Kallax was popular with collectors, I went to the Ikea in my new city to check it out. I found the Kallax to have one enticing quality: very large capacity for very little money. Other than that, it didn’t fulfill my desires. At 15-3/4" deep, LP’s are too far from the front edge of the rack. Even worse, the rack is open on the backside, having no rear panel! It is meant to be a room divider, not an LP rack or bookcase. I’m guessing owners don’t mind, as the rack will usually be placed up against a wall, that wall then acting as a rear panel. But I want my LP’s to be inside an enclosed structure, not an open one, if for no other reason than to keep dust away from the LP cover opening. The lack of a rear panel is also at least partially responsible for another problem with the rack: it is not very structurally stiff and strong, being a little wobbly, able to move side-to-side. Ikea has other similar racks---the Bitrade, Valje, and Nornas, but they too fell short of my requirements.
So I kept looking. There are some fine LP racks out there, but I consider the prices ridiculous. Last night I went onto the Ikea website, again looking at their storage units. There was a brand new one named EKET pictured, and it looked like it might fit the bill, so today I went to Ikea to have a look. I do believe I have found my new LP racks! The EKET comes in several different sizes, from a single 13-3/4" cube to a 4-cubicle box. The 4-cubicle version measures 27-1/2" x 27-1/2" x 13-3/4" deep exterior, each cubicle having interior dimensions of 12-7/8" tall, 12-7/8" wide, and 13" deep, perfect for LP’s. Priced at only $50, the EKET 4-cube model provides over four linear feet of LP storage. And it has a back panel! It is also considerable more stiff than the Kallax, which gives me piece of mind. There are a couple of accessory options, including a set of four adjustable feet ($5!) and a 4" base platform, also height-adjustable ($15). Another is a set of screw-on clips which hold multiple units together if they are stacked one atop another. Three of the racks and a base platform end up being 86-1/2" (7’ 2-1/2") tall, perfect for me.
The Ikea EKET is best LP storage deal I have found, so if you have enough LP’s to make their storage an economic concern, check it out. It will leave you more dough for the LP’s themselves!
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- 50 posts total
- 50 posts total