DIY rack

[jaym481]

A while back I decided I needed a proper audio rack, and after perusing the commercial offerings I thought I could knock something together for a price more in line with my own budget. As it turned out, I learned a lot about what it costs for this stuff.

In any case, I was looking to build a three shelf, double-wide rack, that could support the slate slabs I have as shelves, as well as the weight of the gear. I went with aluminium extrusions, bought through Faztek Canada in Montreal.

The project took shape a couple of months before Christmas, but the parts arrived after I'd received the announcement of our move to the UK, so I've only now assembled the frame. I thought I'd share:

The pile of parts
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/Rackextrusions.jpg

During assembly
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/DSC_0077.jpg

Finished product
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/DSC_0083-1.jpg

Cross-section of the extrusions
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/DSC_0078.jpg

Tomorrow the shelves will be placed, and hopefully I'll get some of my gear set up. I'm a bit sick of listening to music on my computer speakers.

[jaym481]

The plan is to apply strips of Sorbothane to the frame, and place the slate slabs on that. The amount of Sorbothane is calculated using their calculator, so this should provide isolation of the shelves from the frame. The slate is a bit rough, so I'll probably have to do some finish on it eventually (depends on WAF, I suppose). The slate was a snooker table, and is 40mm thick. I got it for free when the owner realized that rebuilding the table was going to cost thousands (the original frame was trashed). I originally intended to use it for counter tops, but the size wouldn't work, so it was cut into slabs.

Should be a good support, if it doesn't crash through the floor (without equipment it's going to weigh in at over 400lb).

[The Grand Wazoo]

This looks great Jay.
It's nice to see some individual thinking. So is it going to be cheaper than the boughten versions you were looking at?

[Thing Fish]

Looks interesting.

[jaym481]

This looks great Jay.
It's nice to see some individual thinking. So is it going to be cheaper than the boughten versions you were looking at?

It's still going to be significantly cheaper than the commercial offerings I used as design inspiration. A couple of examples:
Steve Blinn Designs (http://www.steveblinndesigns.com/pricelist.html) and Adona (http://www.adonacorporation.com/av45cs4w.html).

Had I not got the stone for free I think the cost would have doubled, though still come in at 1/2 to 2/3 of the cost of equivalent racks from those companies. Assembly of the frame took me a few hours, mainly because I had some trouble with the configuration of the fasteners at first. Once I'd sussed that, it didn't take long.

My rack will measure 48.5"w x 20" d x 32.5" h. The frame itself is 44.5" w x 19"d x 31" h.

[jaym481]

Some more progress, though I think I have a problem in the threaded footers. The rack wobbles, all at the footers.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/Rack1.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/Rack3.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/Rack4.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/Rack2Mar.jpg

The frame is solid as bedrock. The footer bolts just seem to be a bit too long.

I need to sort that before I put a TT on there.

[Ali Tait]

Looks good. Nice bits of slate you have there.

[Ali Tait]

Does it make it sound any better?

[jagdesign]

Great effort. We've got loads of that stuff at work, might knock something up!

[realysm42]

Does it make it sound any better?

This.

[aquapiranha]

Looks great, well done!

[jaym481]

"Does it make it sound any better?"

Good question. In absolute terms, it makes it sound infinitely better, because I can now set up my gear and not listed to streaming radio through computer speakers.

Does it sound better than having everything sit on a nice distressed oak sideboard? I have no idea, nor can I say the music sounds better than it did on my previous rack, which was a welded steel jobbie, with hollow corner posts (could have filled them with sand or something, but never did). However, the previous rack got the "you aren't bringing THAT thing with us, are you?" The move from my secluded "man cave" to a flat where the audio gear has to fit the decor has had a profound effect on my setup.

And it was a project that didn't involve power tools and massive amounts of sawdust or spoil. Another thing I'm no longer permitted (shop/garage was lost along with the cave).

I'm wondering if I should oil the slate, or seal it with something. I tested a small patch using 3-in-1, and it darkened up quite nicely, but I'm also a bit partial to the lighter grey.

[realysm42]

I'd personally leave it as it is, it looks great in the photos.