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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
 
Thanks George.

Yes, I've got everything but the tubes and they'll be here soon. I'm going to have a machinest cut them because they need to be precise and I don't have a band saw or lathe.
Everything is brass and maple but the tubes are anodized aluminum with a powder coat. I'm going to fill them as advised with lead shot for mass and no ringing. I bought the acorn nuts for the top, so I'll see how they do for now.

I have a Mapleshade platform with IsoBlocks for my table, so I'll use that on top and take it from there. I'm using the HeavyFeet with a 3/4"-10 tap for the supports. I won't use the feet for leveling but will level the shelves instead, so the feet will get maximum thread. I'll only be using two of the four shelves right away. I was going to get a headphone amp but the rack has delayed that purchase.

I'm really enjoying this and get to make it look the way I want while still saving money. From the good and consistent advice from everyone out there, I'm pretty sure it will sound real good as well. You can't ask for more than that!
jdoris
972 posts
 
Hi Kenny. I like walnut oil for the finish. In general, I'd go for oil for ease of application and touch up; walnut oil seems to create a hard finish. John
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Thanks John, from the paper that Theaudiotweak provided the link to, it appears that you should steer clear of plastic based solutions.
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
I'm ready to drill my shelf holes but have a question. What's a good way to support the heavy maple shelf on the drill press for the corner holes? Right now, my drill press is only set up with the standard (small) metal work base.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
If you are going to fill the space between the tube and allthread, I'd use an expanding foam.
Lead is toxic and a nightmare to work with. The expanding foam has the advantage, from a physics standpoint, of coupling the rod to the tube which increases rigidity. This may actually provide better damping than simply adding mass.
In my stand, I use Teflon washers. A hard, slick material. I also make sure the allthread does not touch the wooden shelves, which are also of a unique composition / construction.
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