DIY Stereo Rack

I've made a few system racks and amp stands for me and a few few friends using different solid hard woods and laminates over the years.They were all nice and did the job but the last set I made for me out of Plexiglas turned out the best the weigh alot no vibrations from subs getting to my system.The only problem is the Plexiglas is a little expensive but if you can find a dealer that will sell you small 2'buy 2'pcs its alot cheaper. Anyway just a thought check my system for picks.

Thank you for all your input. This will be a big help building my rack. Bob

Slipknot1 and I did a rack for my system that uses all McMaster-Carr hardware and maple shelves from perfectplank.com(thanks Trelja for that source).
I agree with others that the key to the rack is easily adjustable shelves that are easy to level. Threaded rods and bolts/washers above & below each shelf are they way to go.
If anyone wants to check my system page
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1036941919&view,
you can see photos and a post with a parts list. Cheers,
Spencer

If you want an alternative to using exposed threaded rods as the posts, try t slot aluminum extrusions. You can put the threaded rod through that and sandwich the top and bottom shelves together. If additional shelves are needed, there are accessories you can get or be creative to put them in.

Guiddog - I've tried some of the hardwood materials suggested above and also granite and MDF.

The problem I found with all of them is they all tend to vibrate at some point in time if they are not "treated".

One solution is to construct each shelf as a "sandwich" - i.e. between two layers of shelving material place a layer of the foam rubber material used to line drawers - the stuff with all the holes.

The sandwich significantly reduces vibrations in both layers.

Another approach that is easier to implement, is to get a sheet of sorbothane and apply it to the underside of the shelf. Provided the underside of the shelf is smoothly finished in some manner (like urethane) as the sorbothane naturally adheres by vacuum, so it can easily be removed without leaving any residue.

You can easily experiment with the alignments i.e. either the square sheet aligns with the front/sides/back of the shelf or at an angle might be more beneficial.

Re-applying a sheet may cause it to lose it's tackiness, so simply wash with plain water under the tap, or better still wipe with isopropyl alcohol to restore it.

Either of these treatments will significantly reduce the vibrations in any shelf.

A 1/10" thick sheet of sorbothane sheet is all that is required - Thicker may not improve it's effectiveness - but will cost you more

Sorbothane sheets are available from Amazon/Ebay for around $25 for one square foot and is widely used by the HVAC industry on furnaces, plenum's etc. to curb noisy installations

Good luck with the stand :-)