DIY: Advice on Hi Fi Rack

[Vivek Batra]

Hi FMs

I need your help in making a rack myself, I got some quotes for some racks and they are quite expensive and not easy to ship as well, so though of now doing it myself.

I have currently no clue what all options are available in the market. I am interested to have wooden shelves around 1.5 to 2 inches in thickness. The problem I am facing with the wood is that its hard to get seasoned wood at my place. I inquired about Sheesham/Teak but thats not seasoned. Do you know where I can get seasoned wood plankes? or whats the replacement for that? I want to avoid the ply board and veeners.

I am ok to have thread rods as supports, but again not sure where they are available, or have to be custom made in workshop. I have something like the below rack in my mind but not that wide. The pure thread rods are bit rustic/industrial looking, are there any coverings/housing for the rods? I would be very grateful to you if any one could guide me on how to start on this.

To summarise, I am looking for advice on the following (What/Where to buy)

1. Shelf material
2. Support rods/covers/housing for rods
3. Feet/spikes
4. Wheels may be

Reference image (shared by a FM)



My Requirement

Thanks
Vivek

 

[raghupb]

For hosting audio-video components you first need to decide:
1. Width (1 or 2 or 3 component wide) each component is 18" wide with side allowance of at least 1"
2. Height (1 or 2 or 3 component tall) each component is 4-9" tall with top allowance of 2"
3. Depth (ideally at least 18")
4. Wood or glass (wood is tricky if you need one piece planks of 18" depth and 1-2")
5. Ply/veneer is a widely available and easy to work with
6. Support rods (threaded or not) or wood/steel partitions
7. Plan for 1 or 2 components in the future apart from what you already have
8. Cable management

I think I have shared this with you earlier, but here it is again.

Showcase your audio/video setup here!......

My pursuit..half way in progress, will be adding a sub and hdmi wireless extenders as the audio is sad to grab from projector to avr, can't run cables Echo dot, Broadlink Rm Pro IR+RF blaster Zone2: Mackie CR5BT, Philips 24" TV + Pi2 Inlight 8x6ft motorised screen FireStick beams to big...

www.hifivision.com

Made of ply and double sided veneer with hardwood trim
Entire assembly is assembled with wood nut (inserts) and bolts

Cheers,
Raghu

 

[Vivek Batra]

For hosting audio-video components you first need to decide:
1. Width (1 or 2 or 3 component wide) each component is 18" wide with side allowance of at least 1"
2. Height (1 or 2 or 3 component tall) each component is 4-9" tall with top allowance of 2"
3. Depth (ideally at least 18")
4. Wood or glass (wood is tricky if you need one piece planks of 18" depth and 1-2")
5. Ply/veneer is a widely available and easy to work with
6. Support rods (threaded or not) or wood/steel partitions
7. Plan for 1 or 2 components in the future apart from what you already have
8. Cable management

I think I have shared this with you earlier, but here it is again.

Showcase your audio/video setup here!......

My pursuit..half way in progress, will be adding a sub and hdmi wireless extenders as the audio is sad to grab from projector to avr, can't run cables Echo dot, Broadlink Rm Pro IR+RF blaster Zone2: Mackie CR5BT, Philips 24" TV + Pi2 Inlight 8x6ft motorised screen FireStick beams to big...

www.hifivision.com

Made of ply and double sided veneer with hardwood trim
Entire assembly is assembled with wood nut (inserts) and bolts

Cheers,
Raghu

Thanks for the reply. I have updated my post for my requirements. I have factored in my future additions.

 

[GeorgeB]

You can sandwich 20 mm ply's and use edge tapes to cover the joints (instead of trims).
With Plywood, you can get a better uniformity in terms of finish and thickness, which will be cost-effective too.
TC,
Geo

 

[Vivek Batra]

Guys any idea where to buy the supports and feet/spikes?

 

[jbkakadiya]

Guys any idea where to buy the supports and feet/spikes?

If the shelf spacing is going to be fixed, threaded studs can be avoided. stainless steel pipes with welded bolt at one end and nut at other end can be used instead. Need to visit roadside fabricators dealing in grills or staircase railings.

Alternately, pls check at nearby hardware store, ask for Mirror studs to get the idea

 

[fLUX]

Thanks for the reply. I have updated my post for my requirements. I have factored in my future additions.

I would suggest to make 3 rows , 2 of about 9-10 inch height and 3rd one about 4-6 inches. All your bigger amps can be placed across 1st and 2nd rack from bottom, 3rd row can hold your DAC/Preamp/ AV Sources like streamer, xbox etc.

 

[Record Player]

As others have suggested, ply works well and you can always get them veneered or apply laminate sheets of your choice.

All the best !

 

[Naturelover]

If your taking the DIY route and want to avoid the visits to the local markets ex: SP Road etc, I suggest you visit Mr. Murthy on Commercial street who will sort you with the SS threaded roads, nuts and bolts, spiked feet etc to your spec. As others have suggested, ply works well and you can always get them veneered or apply laminate sheets of your choice.

When I made a similar DIY rack, its was quite a hassle getting the arrangements done from local markets.

All the best !

Vivek is in Chandigarh

 

[sidvee]

Thanks for the reply. I have updated my post for my requirements. I have factored in my future additions.

@Vivek, I suggest you contact FM Magma, he has readymade solutions that fit your requirements for relatively reasonable pricing. DIY material cost will not be significantly cheaper at-least if you are after a decent finish.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Vivek Batra]

@Vivek, I suggest you contact FM Magma, he has readymade solutions that fit your requirements for relatively reasonable pricing. DIY material cost will not be significantly cheaper at-least if you are after a decent finish.
Cheers,
Sid

Hi @sidvee

Ali was my first point of reference. No doubt his racks are the best but price is not very pocket friendly for me at least.

Regards
Vivek

 

[Vivek Batra]

Deleted.

 

[Vivek Batra]

As others have suggested, ply works well and you can always get them veneered or apply laminate sheets of your choice.

All the best !

That would be my last resort if nothing else worked. The finish one can get from a good grain wood, is not possible with veneer in my opinion.

 

[quad]

Google Search for "threaded rod" - they are easily available in 12mm diameter etc in any industrial area -

Gi Threaded Rod

Luxmi Trading Co. - Offering Gi Threaded Rod, Size: 2 Mtr at Rs 55/piece in Chandigarh. Get GI Threaded Rod at lowest price | ID: 18556486173

www.indiamart.com

threaded rod - Indiamart

 

[Vivek Batra]

If the shelf spacing is going to be fixed, threaded studs can be avoided. stainless steel pipes with welded bolt at one end and nut at other end can be used instead. Need to visit roadside fabricators dealing in grills or staircase railings.

Alternately, pls check at nearby hardware store, ask for Mirror studs to get the idea
View attachment 52739
View attachment 52740

This looks much better than threaded rods. What's the source of these?

 

[Vivek Batra]

Google Search for "threaded rod" - they are easily available in 12mm diameter etc in any industrial area -

Gi Threaded Rod

Luxmi Trading Co. - Offering Gi Threaded Rod, Size: 2 Mtr at Rs 55/piece in Chandigarh. Get GI Threaded Rod at lowest price | ID: 18556486173

www.indiamart.com

threaded rod - Indiamart

Wow the seller is in my city, Chandigarh. Thanks will go there and check.

 

[jbkakadiya]

This looks much better than threaded rods. What's the source of these?

It needs to be fabricated as per your size. Need to get in touch with local fabricators.
If threaded road diameter is not large, simple stainless steel curtain rod or slightly larger dia SS pipe can be used to cover them as well as work as a spacer.

 

[raghupb]

That would be my last resort if nothing else worked. The finish one can get from a good grain wood, is not possible with veneer in my opinion.

Veener is wood!!
Why do you say its not possible.
PM your whatsapp number. I send you pics of veneer finish
Cheers,
Raghu

 

[Vivek Batra]

It needs to be fabricated as per your size. Need to get in touch with local fabricators.
If threaded road diameter is not large, simple stainless steel curtain rod or slightly larger dia SS pipe can be used to cover them as well as work as a spacer.

I will go to a local steel grill maker tomorrow to check if something similar is with them.

 

[Vivek Batra]

Veener is wood!!
Why do you say its not possible.
PM your whatsapp number. I send you pics of veneer finish
Cheers,
Raghu

I have some veneer work at home on cupboards and doors. I am gonna pm you my number.