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Audio Rack Construction

Happy New Year All!

I'm planning a rack with three wood (maple) shelves using threaded rod as the supports. This will be something similar to Salamander racks. Besides, the metal washers and nuts, I'm going to be using some type of isolation washer that will contact the top and bottom of each shelf.
So...shelf, isoloation washer, metal washer, and then nut.

Questions: 1. When passing the threaded rod through each shelf, should the holes in the shelves not allow the threaded rod to touch, so the only thing touching the shelves are the isolation washers? 2. Besides neoprene, what's a good material for the isolation washers? 3. After leveling each shelf during assembly, I'm planning to add aluminum tubing over the threaded rod and nuts between each shelf for a cleaner look. This would mean that the top and bottom ends of the aluminum tubing would also contact the shelves. Should I avoid this, or additionally add some isolation material between the ends of the tubes and the shelves?
kennythekey

Showing 2 responses by yioryos

yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
Kennythekey
Hi,I am in here late,noticed you bought your hardware already.I built salamander archetype racks a long time ago.
1.You can buy the top flat caps for 5/8 rods from audio advisor that's where I got mine back then,just tell them you need replacements for your lost caps due to dismantle/relocation!!!!!
2.For an upgrade you could buy uprights from C.R.Laurence in solid stainless stell,oh yes!!!.Price $$$$$$$$,quality top of the line with 5/16" internal threading and 1-1/4" diameter at various lengths from 2" up to 12" in multiples of two inch.
3.For the ultimate think Samson by Mapleshade oh yeah!!,you can buy their hardware but too costly OR you can get 1-1/4" solid brass threaded rods from mcmaster.com and then go see a machinist to make for you the donut shaped nuts as in SAmson racks and the footers.
The sky is the limit.If you need advice assistance to build or fill the tubing ,e-mail privately.I know a few tricks being in the trade.
Best regards
George
Enjoy the tunes!
yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
Kenny
I would advice to make a jig.I am not sure how big is your drill press,mine is floor standing and big,but you could make a 3/4 thick plywood base the size of the shelves with one corner blocked by using 1x2 cleats screwed down in square and spaced away enough,that will act as a nest for the shelves to get a consistent and accurate but easy hole location every time.Use a Forsten bit and also the plywood base will protect the underside from wood splitting when the spinning forstner bit exits.
Best of luck
George
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