Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners A/V rack

I am in need of an A/V rack for my beginning system and not much in the retail market suits my fancy. I remember someone at this site had posted pictures of his (or her) homemade rack that was pretty cool.

Any information that anyone can provide will be much appreciated.

So cool, that I'm looking for the information for myself. The system consisted of 3 threaded steel pipes (from Home Depot) as legs, steel flanges that screwed onto the pipes to hold the shelves and make them adjustable in height, and MDF board for the triangular shaped shelves. It is expandable to hold as many components as needed. I think it was a design that was modeled after some outrageously expensive European design for sale on the internet.

Do a google search for DIY Flexy Rack. You'll get lots of ideas.

The TNT FleXy Table®: DIY audiophile rack

DIY Flexy Rack- Construction

AWESOME, Ajax. Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Wow The Mayor comes through again. What a great rack. I have been looking at all these different av furniture vendors and they are all so expensive. I like it too much.
oz

I built one of these racks after looking at the flexi rack on the internet. I used 4 rods instead of 3, and used pine shelving at 2' x 2' instead of the MDF. I also chamfered the corners and added a nice routered edge. Put casters on the bottom and stained an varnished it. It's about 5' tall and has 10 shelves. My brother has asked me to make one for hima and so have a few of my friends.

I didn't bother with the rubber washers or the anti-vib paint. And after talking with Mr. Loft, I am glad I didn't bother.

I also but a piece of 1/4" plywood on the back to help hide wires and put in electrical plugs for each shelf.

I think the whole thing cost me about $300 and a day in my garage with my power tools.

I read about the TNT Flexy not too long ago and plan to build one myself soon. I'm still not sure what material I want to use for the shelves; Marble looks awesome, but difficult to work with and expensive. Not to mention how heavy the rack would be in the end.

In reply to:

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I didn't bother with the rubber washers or the anti-vib paint. And after talking with Mr. Loft, I am glad I didn't bother.

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Why? The voodoo factor?

No...no Voodoo factor here. I spoke with Allan about vibraton and if it is something I needed to be concerned with. He said really only a factor when when using a turntable. I understand the physics of anti-vibration add ons, like putting a brick on your CD player or buying expensive rubber feet. I am just not convinced you can hear a difference.

The paint and washers would have just added expense and time for construction. So I decided to omit them. I can always add them later.

Makes sense. The anti-vibration stuff would be for peace of mind in my case, as my stereo is on a "floating floor." When the music gets even a little loud everything vibrates like crazy.

Yes, I hadn't thought of that, I am in a basement so vibration is not an issue.

Photos, please! We always like pictures here!

I am on a busniss trip in Montreal but I will take a few on the weekend and post them.

I am planning to build another one for the other side of the TV this week, Just to balance the room out.

Hey that means I can fill it with more audio video gear (assuming the wife doesn't kill me first)

VERY NICE Flexy Rack! I love the way you angled the front corners and routed the top edges of the shelves. Gives it a more "finished" look. The black caps on the tops of the threaded rods is a nice touch, too. Bravo!

Very nice!

That IS very nice!

Makes me wish I had done that instead of using the Bell'O I have. I'm always paranoid of the glass shelves, and I could have made it taller and in Beech to match my speakers.

I remember hearing of this design awhile back, but was afraid it would look too "homebuilt". Yours is evidence that it can look excellent!

i love me custom built entertainment unit, i built it and the desk to match the speakers the legs beleive it or not are made of fence posts with a threaded rod though them for stability, along with some 1" spaced tapped holes for easy adjustment of the shelves...

Indeed, Darren! Very nice. When I first saw that photo, I had no idea the stand was homemade. Great idea, tucking the threaded rods inside fence posts. Are those chain link fence posts?

yes, i bought a couple long lengths then cut them all equal, they are mounted to the top and bottom shelves with circular wood "washers" i made, hard to explain, but it is very secure, and only cost like $100cdn to make, i got the idea from something similar i saw at walmart, however the legs were plastic and it was much smaller, and it was $120cdn!! cant take all the credit though, my dad helped me with most of it...him and his garage full of toys

Wow, I wouldn't have thought that was a stand you made either Darren, it's gorgeous! I agree that the use of the fence post is quite appealing, softens the 'industrial' look the threaded rods promote.

Extremely good job young man!

Nice stand, Darren (and nice avatar... Rise Against!)

Bren R.

That system deserves a better, bigger tv darren, don't you think so?!

The fence posts also give it a very sturdy look. I like it.

Not to take anything away from the rack, cause it is awsome, but dude, I need to know more about that wall!!!!!! Who did that? That is really what you need to show off!!!!

hmm, cant afford new tv, im getting two qs8's then im saving for a car, tv will come next year, i need a car more than a tv. also my dad painted that mural when i was like 10, yes it is quite amazing istnt it?

way nice rack.. i got the WAF to deal with. not possible in my theater room.

ah, to dream!!

bigjohn

Our solution for the audio rack was to buy a server rack off of ebay. Were were able to get it for ~$300 and it makes a great rack. I under stand that it may not be viable for everyone but, if you are doing new construction then I would highly recommend a server rack. Here is a unfinished picture...

darren. could you take any close up pictures of the rack, or your desk? what kind of wood did you use, and what sizes did you use?

I'm in the final stages of completing my A/V rack, a flexi rack with "upgrades". I added casters and a kick plate so that they are not visible from the front.

One issue I'm encountering is that it seems a little wobbily being 4' tall and 2' square. In order to strengthen it and hide cables, I'm going to add a rear panel (1/8" sheet plywood) to attach to each shelf. Only problem is, then the shelves are, essentially, immovable without taking the panel off.

Anyone else have this issue and how did you deal with it?

i would take closer pics, but i got no digi and my mom is getting made about wasting all the film on pictures of my room lol, i have too take a couple pics of my custom qs-8 stand still, so maybe then i will. oh everything is made out of mdf beech, which adhesive tape that you iron on all the sides

raz_la - You might just attach the top and bottom shelves to the plywood. That should stiffen up the structure pretty well, but still allow you to adjust the middle shelves.

Another thought would be to securely attach the top and bottom shelves, but then just put one or two screws in each of the other ones. This way it would be easier to pull out the screws and adjust the middle shelves.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

Thanks, Wegiz, those are good ideas. I knew someone here would be able to enlighten me!

I'll attempt to post some photos when I complete it.