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In search of DIY Audio Equipment Rack Materials

I'm looking for audio rack hardware/materials which I cannot locate even after exhausting every resource available to me.  Perhaps someone is able to help out here.

I've designed an audio equipment rack similar to the product made and sold by Mapleshade.  I liked the looks and the materials.  I didn't like the cost - at $4,600.00.  Whether it is worth it, or not (some love them, others don't), it's not for me.  Nonetheless, it is a design the average guy can imitate at home for an affordable cost, and it would not cost too much for the materials.  Plus, the aesthetics, while subjective, appear to be generally pleasing.

I'm not duplicating the 2" (or 4") joined, specially cured Maple shelves (I have found what I believe is a superior wood  product that looks great, maybe even better looking!), but I do want to use the all-thread supports if I can locate brass hardware similar to that of the Mapleshade product (see link below).  Perhaps the company has the brass hardware specially made?  Thanks for any help with this.  

I have read of some of the drawbacks to this type of design in terms of stability and resonance characteristics. I believe some of these problems can be mitigated by modifying the materials (better shelf material, much better, sophisticated coupling materials [or more properly de-coupling, as the case may be], and so on).  And, with these modifications employed, the finished product could be very, very nice and suitable for somewhat "high-end" audio equipment for under $1,000.00.

Here is a link to the site with photos as you scroll down.  Thanks again.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?s=b6bb40c42902d38e082ea5a607424f16&t=35351&pa...



nolojunko
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Back when I made Nimbus Sub-Hertz Platform all the brass rods and brass hardware were sent off to the cryo lab for treatment. Otherwise they tend to ring, which is not (rpt not) a characteristic I value. Better safe than sorry.
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,669 posts
 
for brass ( and stainless) try a ship-boat hardware outfitter. second find a local machine shop and get then to turn out some nuts for you in brass ( supper cheap and you can get them made to look how you like). 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
@miller: Yes, prices for 3-shelf and 4-shelf run from $3K to $4.5K. I'm in the wrong business.


That's nuts. See my post on the recent stable turntable rack thread for a rack that is a whole lot cheaper, works a whole lot better, and even looks better. 
Then if you're still married to the idea of wood, as much as you want up to and including the whole thing can be covered in quality wood veneer of whatever specie(s) you desire which if you do it right will be very hard to tell from solid wood, and still be under $500 all-in. 

But if you don't care about performance and are just plain infatuated with those round nuts, buy yourself some brass nuts, round em off with a bench grinder, sand em down to whatever gloss you want, done. Or hunt around Grainger for the one you like. 
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