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Audio Rack Construction

Happy New Year All!

I'm planning a rack with three wood (maple) shelves using threaded rod as the supports. This will be something similar to Salamander racks. Besides, the metal washers and nuts, I'm going to be using some type of isolation washer that will contact the top and bottom of each shelf.
So...shelf, isoloation washer, metal washer, and then nut.

Questions: 1. When passing the threaded rod through each shelf, should the holes in the shelves not allow the threaded rod to touch, so the only thing touching the shelves are the isolation washers? 2. Besides neoprene, what's a good material for the isolation washers? 3. After leveling each shelf during assembly, I'm planning to add aluminum tubing over the threaded rod and nuts between each shelf for a cleaner look. This would mean that the top and bottom ends of the aluminum tubing would also contact the shelves. Should I avoid this, or additionally add some isolation material between the ends of the tubes and the shelves?
kennythekey
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
I'm back from vacation and had time to contemplate all of your good information.

I've decided to abandon my wall mount ideas for my Table, and place it on the new rack. My Target wall shelf was a failure, so why shell out big bucks for a Finite wall shelf? The Finite was maple with an aluminum anodized back plate, so I was going to add silver aluminum anodized tubing to the new rack. I don't need to do that now.

I have an old Farmhouse, so I would like to hide the industrial look of the rods and nuts. Looks like I will be using an anodized tubing with a colored powder coat instead. I found a local source for this and if their product is decent I will let everyone know becuase it's so inexpensive.

I will also add shot to the tubing but in the end I'm hoping that this eliminates any potential ringing and does not make the sound less lively. Any thoughts on that?
jdoris
972 posts
 
Hi Kenny.

I've got a 1905 home, and the industrial look of brass and maple has grown on me, esp. as they've picked up some patina.

Since you're thinking of covering the the rods, will you still go brass? Some favor the sonics of brass (I'm not confident I could detect a difference), but I'm pretty sure you would save a a good bit on the rods by going stainless or galvi.

I suppose that filling the rods could reduce the possibility of ringing and the like. Note that filling the rods may, depending on the amount of fill needed, add significant weight; my 4 shelf rack is pretty heavy as it is.

One more thought on the visuals: Boos block is now offering walnut and cherry blocks (at a price), which gives more options for matching decor. Again, some favor the sonics of maple, but I'd not be surprised if their ears were much better than mine.

John
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Thanks John,

I've already purchased the maple shelves and hardware thanks to the help from everyone.

The 24" X 18" 1.75+" shelves were $69 each and ony $1 to ship all due to holiday pricing from Overstock.com. I am very pleased with the fit and finish. The 3/4"-10 rods and hardware I got from McMaster. Everything is brass.

I remember when reading your thread from 2006 that you were getting used to the look of the nuts and rods. If I wind up using the tubes I will post a picture. Maybe, you and others will want to use/add them since they come in Slver Satin Aluminum, Black, Dark Green, and Rust Brown. The cost is very low so I don't want to release the source until I first check one out.

We're all concerned about sound, that's why I'm trying to find out if I'm sacrificing some by using the tubes, or if I'll be okay if I prepare the tubes properly.
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Finish question. Regarding maple shelves, does it make any difference for finish...oil, laquer, stain, etc.? For preservation and sound? I just plan to use a mineral oil.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I used multiple coats of tung oil, each one rubbed with fine steel wool, then a thin layer of polyurethane, for gloss and hardness, finished with a buffed out coat of paste wax.
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