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DIY Stereo Rack

I want to build a music system rack but get a headache after trying to chose what route to go. Is the hardest densest wood like ash or walnut best. Or something softer? I was thinking of using countertop cement for shelves. My thinking being the harder it is the easier vibrations transfer. Cement being not so dense may not transfer vibrations so readily. If styrofoam was stronger why not use blocks of it for super vibration isolation? Thanks for any insight you can provide. Bob
guiddog
ketchup
700 posts
 
Here's mine. I used maple with stainless steel tube and threaded rod for the uprights. The tubes are filled with sand and are totally dead. This is not for everyone as the construction required a good deal of machining (this could never be built with basic hand tools), but if you can do that sort of thing, go for it. If not, wood slabs with simple holes drilled through them with threaded rod will work.

Building racks is not a science. Nobody knows what material is "best." Choose what is available and what you can work with and have fun.

http://forums.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1142743470&read&keyw&zzyou=enjoy=mystuff
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Ketchup - that is beautiful work.
mesch
3,529 posts
 
Ketchup, great stand. Both the process and the result must be very satisfying.

I agree that the hardwood shelving and threaded rod approach seems one of the most easily built, cost effective, practical, vibration free options. I was going to go this route, however got a budget Target stand which I filled with sand (took a long time as sand was poured through the threaded spike holes) and replaced the plywood shelves with 2” maple.
ps
769 posts
 
I used butcher block from Ikea put together with 1" solid threaded steel rods, big hex nuts, and steel washers. Herbie's Audio Lab persuaded me not to use rubber washers under the steel.

Legs are tapped 1/4 x 20 to accept spikes de jour. Currently using Black Diamond Racing Cones because I had a set in my parts bin. The rack is super-solid, and if I could figure out how to post a photo or two, I'd do so. It looks pretty darn cool.

I was able to cut the steel rods using a hack saw but it was a lot of work. I had a local cabinet maker drill the holes for the rods because I don't have a drill press, and also cut the butcher block to size.

It was a fun project, but time-consuming. Saved a few bux, tho'.
markus1299
252 posts
 
I purchased some red oak butcher block slabs from Boo's Blocks in Framingham. 1 1/2 x 19 x 43. Really nice stuff. I'm working on the sides now. Brass angle iron shelves that the butcher block slabs drop right into. Should be nice when I'm done but it has been a lot of work.
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