Building your own high end turntable stand?


I have been looking for a reasonably priced, heavy, sturdy, rock solid turntable support and apparently those words don't "fit" in my budget....so...I thought I would try to build my own. Was thinking about a thick marble top??? Does anyone know where one could find plans or at least good guide lines to use? I want this to just support my VPI and be waist high....no other electronics to generate vibration or noise....any ideas????? Has anyone built their own or has a good idea as to what would work and is willing to share their imagination??? I hope to hear back from a few members...I know its not going to proform as well as one built professionally but I can't afford 2 or 3 thousand dollars on a stand.

thanks, dean
dean_fuller
Hi everyone, I saw the following item at a "designer" store recently and thought that it might be a very good support for my Rega RP3, but I would like to get some feedback before purchasing.

Do you think a big concrete brick would be a good support for my turntable, or an I better off with a wall mount instead (or a wood-based solution)?

Here's an image of the item, it is very heavy although not 100% filled with concrete (otherwise it would have been unmovable).

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/10058933755_9ac5b59d54_b.jpg
Odedia

Go to Amazon.com and get a Peerless Adjustable Component wall Shelf for AV EQ for 38.00 bucks will support up too 100lb you can then mount some Isolation cones upside down and then either make your own shelf top or use a 2" to 4" thick cutting board from E bay for around a hundred bucks. O r you could make one like I did out of 3/4" Birch plywood top and bottom with a 3/4" particle board center and picture framed the outside edge with 3/4" solid Maple I glued the three pieces together with liquid nails instead of wood glue with the though that it would help Isolate each piece of wood from each other better that Elmer's glue. The three piece shelf ways about 35lb and my B&O 4002 weight about 26lb, I am going to add a 2" thick solid Maple cutting Board (30.00 bucks) with four (12.00 bucks) super balls in between the two boards for isolation another 30lb for a total of 91 lb.'s
Approx. 140.00 bucks
@Markfina, thanks for the wall shelf info. This looks like a very flexible solution. I made my own wall shelf mounted TT rack out of some steel from old speaker stands, but might try this one as an alternative since it is such a great price. Have you had any problems with the arms flexing any under weight? How flexible is the mounting location as you match the wall rack up to the stud locations?
Odedia & Markfina - Both of you gave me an idea. Why not build a form out of plywood and shape it into something aesthetically pleasing and then cast it out of concrete? Some 2" wire cloth internal for stress and breakage resistance, add some inserts for spike feet, and go to a marble store that sells marble kitchen counters but dig through their trash bin for a suitable piece. It would look very cool and be very effective. What do you think ??
This is a very solid system for the money it has a series of holes that run the length of the wall bracket that you use to find the studs for your lag bolts, with a cover that snap over to hide it and the arms can be leveled individually with the adjustable screws that are part of the arms it is a very well thought out bracket. Amazing most engineer's have their head up there rear or the bean counters screw it up, I have had no problems with it holding the weight.When I get a chance I will try and post some pictures. The uses of this bracket are wide open you could build your own wall mount system with these brackets along with cutting boards for shelf's that would look really cool and rock solid no more large amps without enough air space above them just install the brackets at the height you want for each piece of equipment that you own adding another new component no problem add another bracket very flexible.