View Full Version : anyone using ikea lack tables for hifi
im sorely tempted to buy some,ive heard lack tables are great for suspended tt,im thinking of using this, http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20105341/
with the coffee tale cut down for the tt. http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20011413/
Loved my Lp12 on one back in the 90s. I still ise them on and off today but the construction of the legs has changed a bit over the years. Not Sure it will make any odds though and I'd still expect a good sound with an LP12 at least.
yes i have read that the legs are not solid any more just the first 2 inches,but for under a tenner its worth a gamble i think.
brian2957
09-01-2016, 21:06
Jamie , I bought the Lack bench and a table the same colour . I pinched the legs off the table and used them on the bench , making the bench much higher . I use my server , Rega Brio R and Rega DAC on top and love it . You can't cut it though as it's hollow inside . However because of this it has similar characteristics to Torlyte .
You can then use the legs from the bench for your turntable :D
These are supposed to be very good too.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141542464783?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Jamie , I bought the Lack bench and a table the same colour . I pinched the legs off the table and used them on the bench , making the bench much higher . I use my server , Rega Brio R and Rega DAC on top and love it . You can't cut it though as it's hollow inside . However because of this it has similar characteristics to Torlyte .
You can then use the legs from the bench for your turntable :D
That's a brilliant idea.
brian2957
09-01-2016, 22:02
We aim to please Jon :D
This was originally Garys ( gazjam ) idea :)
I’m using LAC coffee tables.
I also found that the legs are hollow so I popped down to B&Q and found some square pine timber which fitted inside the leg perfectly.
So cut to 5 inch lengths and glued inside the leg with resin worked well and allowed spikes to be fitted to each leg.
Hope that makes sense.:scratch:
Like them.
Cheap and easy to add to as the HIFI pile grows.
IKEA 'lack' tables are a decades old Audio Rack idea.
I have some in my loft space. Hey! Cheapest tables etc., money can buy as my excuse.
My Kids broke one once.. surprisingly/astonisingly flimsy lashups.
Consequently I've never put any audio gear on them.. seemed as too risky TBH.
Linked table at least looks like Furniture.. likely far more acceptable to the housemate ;)
brian2957
10-01-2016, 17:28
I've been using the Lack bench for several years now and I've had a valve amp and a big heavy Sony ES amp on it without any issues .
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/brian2957/IMG_20151011_165241904_zpsv2zbziro.jpg (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/brian2957/media/IMG_20151011_165241904_zpsv2zbziro.jpg.html)
What you see on it in the picture are a music server , a Rega Brio R amp , a Rega DAC , a Sony Blu Ray player , and a Virginmedia box . I had the Plasma TV on it for a while with everything else on the shelf underneath . Seems pretty solid to me :)
I also use Electric Beach Rockin'Rollers under the server to very good effect http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/electric_beach_19/m.html?ssPageName=STRK%3Anull%3AMESOI&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2654
cheers brain,a pic says a thousand words as they say,that wall layout is the same as my room,damn that bloody sofa eh!
brian2957
10-01-2016, 17:58
The wife picked it mate :rolleyes: Previously I had a single big leather recliner but my daughter uses the room when I'm working to socialise with her friends .
The picture doesn't tell the whole story Jamie as this is an extension with a V-shaped wood clad roof .
However , I'm pretty happy with the sound I've got in here :)
yep me too..... bought 6 x lack square tables ......drilled the top plates and filled with urathane foam the aerosol type...did same with the legs. They become very stiff but remain very light. 2x top plates were used as bases to sit 2x tables on top the remaining two had there legs cut to about 1/3 height and sit on top of the full height ones ....yes I know a pic speaks a thousand words....
brian2957
11-01-2016, 22:48
Nice idea with the foam Pete . I may give that a go . :)
keiron99
01-04-2018, 15:34
I know this is a bit old, but I'm looking to create a couple of 'racks' out of Lack tables.
Can anyone advise how to cut the Lack legs? I'm not much of a woodworker. IN the past, when cutting lengths of square-ish (eg 2 x 2) timber, I always go wonky despite my best efforts!
Any advice, please?
best thing to use is a cheap b&q chop saw or practice your cutting by hand:)
Remember they are hollow. You need plug feet to fit in hole. I got mine on either eBay or amazon. They cut easily using a circular saw on bench. I lined mine up at right distance clamped and cut them at one pass
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plastic-Square-Table-Chair-Leg-Feet-Tube-Pipe-Ends-Insert-Cap-Black-Bungs-CHOOSE/191960574527?hash=item2cb1bdea3f:m:moM9n6x_0j-lIP3CJyoJD5w
These are similar
And this is how mine turned out
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180401/9a9283fb0cd7e96ae6bbe6a9fe901348.jpg
rigger67
01-04-2018, 16:26
http://www.audioappraisal.com/build-diy-hi-fi-rack-using-ikea-lack-tables/
Here's my system sitting on lack tables, with legs reduced where required. I have been using them for over 15 years now. They're great as they are strong but feather light and store no energy.
23199
Audio Al
02-04-2018, 13:20
The top and the shelf are hollow , not ideal for anything weighty
can take a lot of weight tbh..i can stand on mine. trick with leg screws is to put the screw in chuck of drill and drive it in deep.
Sherwood
02-04-2018, 14:06
My tuppence worth ...
The Lack tops are good because they are low mass and non-resonant. Problem is the legs. They are also made of a compressed fibre and the method of attaching to the top is weak (single self tapping screw liable to loosen over time).
Although I no longer have it, when I was working overseas I cannibalised a few lack tables to make a hifi support. I replaced the standard legs with an open lattice pine framework and a three point mounting system for each top. The footprint of the frame was slightly bigger than the tops (three in a row) so that the top of the Lack tops were level with the frame uprights. This bigger footprint afforded greater stability and the three point mounting further helped with stability.
As someone else has commented, the Lack tops are like a poor man's Torlyte. For that reason I find that they work better when resting on spikes rather than rigidly coupled with screws. A one pence coin glued to the three mounting points stops any spikes from sinking into the soft material, and a small indent in each coin made with a metal punch creates a neat dimple to stop the tops from slipping.
Geoff
Ninanina
02-04-2018, 18:20
I only use a Lack table for my printer and it only cost me £7 for the oak finish
They are so lightweight but do seem very strong but I hadn't thought of putting any hifi on it, great idea
I've just purchased some of these M6 inserts for my Maggie bracket/plinths
http://i.imgur.com/Fzz3cbk.png (https://imgur.com/Fzz3cbk)
These are the unheaded version but they are also available with a flange. They are self tapping with a hex drive
I don't know if they would screw into the Lack legs so it can take M6 spikes/feet etc
Simon_LDT
03-04-2018, 11:04
Here is my rack made from Lack tables:
23209
23210
Back when I made this (around 2014) the legs were hollow except for a solid block near the screw end. The tables are hollow except for each corner there is a solid block of chipboard/mdf. I intially just had them sitting atop each other with blu-tac but decided to go all out and use spikes which have adjustments. I'm now able to level each tier independantly. To add strength I ordered some solid hardwood blocks, cut to fit inside the hollow legs. These were a slight tight fit (could have done with being .5mil smaller!) but I also squirted tons of gorilla pva glue inside. I also drilled countersunk holes for the spike shoes to sit inside each corner.
I've a lot of weight on it (amps are 13kg each, turntable must be at least 15kg with the added plinth). No problems so far and it's been standing fine ever since I built it. Not sure how the weight is distributed but I would guess at the 4 corners mainly, hence why I made sure the legs are now solid wood (albeit with a cheap paper/board exterior finish :D ).
If you haven't access to a circular saw, try a mitre saw as that is what I used to saw in a straight line.
Sherwood
03-04-2018, 11:10
Here is my rack made from Lack tables:
23209
23210
Back when I made this (around 2014) the legs were hollow except for a solid block near the screw end. The tables are hollow except for each corner there is a solid block of chipboard/mdf. I intially just had them sitting atop each other with blu-tac but decided to go all out and use spikes which have adjustments. I'm now able to level each tier independantly. To add strength I ordered some solid hardwood blocks, cut to fit inside the hollow legs. These were a slight tight fit (could have done with being .5mil smaller!) but I also squirted tons of gorilla pva glue inside. I also drilled countersunk holes for the spike shoes to sit inside each corner.
I've a lot of weight on it (amps are 13kg each, turntable must be at least 15kg with the added plinth). No problems so far and it's been standing fine ever since I built it. Not sure how the weight is distributed but I would guess at the 4 corners mainly, hence why I made sure the legs are now solid wood (albeit with a cheap paper/board exterior finish :D ).
If you haven't access to a circular saw, try a mitre saw as that is what I used to saw in a straight line.
An alternative is to ditch the standard legs and buy some timber from B&Q. They offer a free cutting service.
Geoff
aquapiranha
18-05-2018, 12:33
When I used to work for a Linn dealer many moons ago, they would recommend lack for their turntables
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180518/9a2063e8078eab4d778b99c6a3169515.jpg
Got my tt on a cutoff lack sitting on a ikea table.
I cut the legs and fitted rubber inner boots. Also covered top in slate for less resonance as being hollow it can vibrate
I bought six tables, threaded inserts, wood (to go in the hollow legs), spikes and footers.
The bottom two tables, the legs are the same length while the remaining four are different heights.
Still have legs left so can alter if/when I change gear.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/gninnamag/Hifi/20180422_170207_zpsadkzv0ec.jpg
Phil Lawton
05-07-2018, 21:26
Here is my rack made from Lack tables:
23209
23210
Back when I made this (around 2014) the legs were hollow except for a solid block near the screw end. The tables are hollow except for each corner there is a solid block of chipboard/mdf. I intially just had them sitting atop each other with blu-tac but decided to go all out and use spikes which have adjustments. I'm now able to level each tier independantly. To add strength I ordered some solid hardwood blocks, cut to fit inside the hollow legs. These were a slight tight fit (could have done with being .5mil smaller!) but I also squirted tons of gorilla pva glue inside. I also drilled countersunk holes for the spike shoes to sit inside each corner.
I've a lot of weight on it (amps are 13kg each, turntable must be at least 15kg with the added plinth). No problems so far and it's been standing fine ever since I built it. Not sure how the weight is distributed but I would guess at the 4 corners mainly, hence why I made sure the legs are now solid wood (albeit with a cheap paper/board exterior finish :D ).
If you haven't access to a circular saw, try a mitre saw as that is what I used to saw in a straight line.
Simon
Looking to replicate this for my own system, but how did you position the spikes and shoes accurately?
Simon_LDT
06-07-2018, 00:26
I did each level individually, marked the exact centre point on the underside of the legs, drilled the hole and screwed the spikes on. Then just placed the shoes loosely on the shelf below, sat the spikes in place and then moved it by hand until I was happy both tiers are in line. I then just used a pencil to draw around each shoe and used a Forstner drill bit to make a pit for the shoe so it can't move. I had to buy a drill bit specifically for this task to get the right diameter.
Phil Lawton
06-07-2018, 07:49
Gotcha...I figured that that might have been the case.
I was thinking of making a template from the first shoes installed and using that for the remainder, but a one-by-one alignment would work just as well.
Audio Al
06-07-2018, 11:01
Im not convinced the Lack tables are good for hifi as the top
is hollow construction with folded cardboard between the top and bottom :scratch:
I use two coffee tables ( yet to be reduced in height ) for my gear, here’s a photo showing the lower table taking 60kg+
[ehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180706/e3029c3af293ed9fafda6f0c45bb4333.jpgmoji4]
WESTLOWER
06-07-2018, 11:31
Im not convinced the Lack tables are good for hifi as the top
is hollow construction with folded cardboard between the top and bottom :scratch:
Indeed, that sounds like a flimsy foundation..
Sherwood
06-07-2018, 13:58
Im not convinced the Lack tables are good for hifi as the top
is hollow construction with folded cardboard between the top and bottom :scratch:
That's precisely why they work: low mass, non-resonant. I think they work best with turntables and vibration sensitive equipment such as valve preamps. When I have used them I ditched the legs and made an open lattice wooden frame to support the Lack "tops".
Geoff
Audio Al
06-07-2018, 14:25
That's precisely why they work: low mass, non-resonant. I think they work best with turntables and vibration sensitive equipment such as valve preamps. When I have used them I ditched the legs and made an open lattice wooden frame to support the Lack "tops".
Geoff
Mmmm :hmm:, not convinced myself
Mmmm :hmm:, not convinced myselfThey're very cheap, buy one and try it [emoji6]
Audio Al
06-07-2018, 15:16
They're very cheap, buy one and try it [emoji6]
I had one and it fell to pieces thats how I know they are hollow and have folded cardboard inside
Sherwood
06-07-2018, 15:58
I had one and it fell to pieces thats how I know they are hollow and have folded cardboard inside
Poor man's Aerolam. The honeycombe construction makes them light and rigid. They are strong under compression but will crumple and rip with lateral pressure.
Geoff
Simon_LDT
06-07-2018, 16:20
Well there is a lot of weight on my 6 tier lack rack and it's been standing since late 2014 now...
I've seen a video where somebody is standing on the honeycomb insides showing its strength. I reckon there is near 60kg on mine in total. However I have filled the hollow legs with solid beech wood blocks so each corner is stable.
Sherwood
06-07-2018, 16:27
Well there is a lot of weight on my 6 tier lack rack and it's been standing since late 2014 now...
I've seen a video where somebody is standing on the honeycomb insides showing its strength. I reckon there is near 60kg on mine in total. However I have filled the hollow legs with solid beech wood blocks so each corner is stable.
I speak from experience. I had someone trip and hit a Lack table sideways on. The legs just sheared away even though the person did not completely fall over. It was enough to rip four great holes in the top where the legs screwed in. That is why I just used the tops.
Geoff
When I had the matching Pre amp to my power amp here as seen in the photo above I reckon total weight on both tables would be around 80-90kg.
Jac Hawk
17-07-2018, 20:44
It's funny how many of us are using Ikea for HiFi furniture, i use the Besta https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/storage-furniture/tv-media-benches/best%C3%A5-tv-bench-oak-effect-spr-29061229/ basically made out of the same stuff as the Lack i think, but it's modular in that you buy the legs (which are solid and height adjustable) separate as well as the shelves and doors if you want them, i got mine off ebay for a fiver
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