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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, I just rubbed the oil in with a cloth. I'm in Colorado where it's pretty dry, so I better look into the steel wool.

The worst part of this project, is cleaning the brass rods that I got from McMasters. I spent about twenty five minutes last night on one rod and I'm still not quite done. I did the two-stage dishwasher soap/Brasso cleaning that produced many blackened rags. Makes me want to seal the rods instead of letting them oxidize again. For me, it's always most difficult to finish those final details, but I am looking forward to the assembly.

The only negative I see with the nitrocellulose based laquer is that it's highly flamable as it's a relative of dynamite. Windows open, turn off the electric heat...and it's winter!
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Finally finished the FlexiRack!

I'm very happy with the way this project turned out. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

Here's a picture...no surprise that it looks like others in the forum. http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1265411095.jpg
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Nicely done! Thanks for the picture.
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markeetaux
135 posts
 
Absolutely beautiful work. The only question I would have is why didn't you match the trim on your speakers.
I'm in the process of building my own speakers stands and the first thing I thought of was matching the stain color on my speakers.
kennythekey OP
593 posts
 
Thanks, I do have one issue but it's not the rack.

The rack is rock solid when the shelves are perfectly leveled. You almost don't need a level because as you adjust the nuts, as soon as the next shelf finds level...you can feel the rack lock-in like it's cemented in place. I love it.

The problem is when I put my Mapleshade turntable platform on top. The platform is not level but the top shelf is. Either the platform isn't true or the Isoblock feet aren't exactly the same height...hmmm. If I adjust the top shelf to compensate for the platform then my rack is not quite as solid as it was. I don't want to adjust the feet on my turnatable because it sounds best with the feet screwed in all the way in. Any ideas?
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