DIY rack: pics

Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

I thought I would share some photos of my DIY rack which I completed about this time last year. As you can see from the above photo, the rack was directly inspired by those finite elemente pagode racks currently being imported by Immedia Sound. At the time I finished my rack, the pagode racks were not being imported by anyone (not that it would have made a difference, since I probably wouldnâ€™t have been able to afford them anyways) so I had to make do with my â€œpoor manâ€™sâ€ version.
What I really like about this rack is how it allows the music to flow right through without dulling or muddying up the sound. Clean, natural and snappy is how I would best describe it. I also tried to keep after-market "isolation" devices to a minimum.
The chain of vibration dissipitation is as follows: component => shelf (wood plus metal) => ball-bearings (metal) => support shelf (metal plus wood) => aluminum T-beams => floor. (And, I guess back again.) I haven't notice any "ringing" caused by echoing vibrations reflecting back to the components. But, then again I have this rack situated in a room adjacent to my listening room.
The component shelf is made of two pieces of 3/4" plywood glued together with a galvanized steel sheet glued underneath. This rests on three ball-bearings (two back, one front). The ball-bearings rest on a galvanized steel sheet which is glued to the interior of the support shelf.
I tried out various coupling schemes for between the shelves and supports (sorbothane pucks, cones and ball bearings). I wound up liking the ball bearings the best. Easy and cheap.
All the materials were easily obtained from local lumber stores, hardware stores or internet sources.
Since I did not use finite elemente's more sophisticated tension support system or shelf isolation I came up with the simplest alternative: bolting the T-beams to the support shelves. Again, easy, direct and very sturdy.
It took me a couple months to decide on how to build, design (i.e., how far apart to make the shelves, what materials to use, what finish, etc.) and complete this rack. I'm a pretty deliberate and slow DIYer. I think taking my time really limited any major mistakes from happening. Each shelf is true to within, I think, one or two milimeters. Therefore each shelf is level with respect to each other. Which is pretty good considering I did all of the work in my kitchen using hand tools.
I have posted more photos at www.fototime.com, including a couple construction diagrams and instructions if you are interested in building one. The total cost for materials wound up being ~$400US. Not too bad I think.
Just click on the link and enter my e-mail address (jose_r66@hotmail.com) under guest login. Then just click on the album titled "DIY Rack."

more pics (Open in New Window)

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Topic - DIY rack: pics - Jose R 15:19:20 01/16/02 (6)

A thing of beauty,and with hand tools too.(nt) - Gordy 19:56:21 01/17/02 (0)

Very impressive! - Kwon 10:17:31 01/17/02 (2)

Re: Very impressive! - Jose R 11:28:40 01/17/02 (1)

Very nice rack (and a bit about roller bearings) - bdiament 10:37:49 01/19/02 (0)

Muy bien... excelente!! - Goodwine59 17:10:50 01/16/02 (1)

Re: thanks alot...(nt) - Jose R 11:30:11 01/17/02 (0)

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