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Building your own HiFI rack (hasn't been discussed in a while)

I need a new HiFi rack and have to compromise with a partner who wants something that looks good and matches the furniture.  I prefer to build than buy.  My idea is to build something similar in concept to https://www.hifiracks.co.uk/collections/hi-fi-racks/products/podium-xl-v  with each shelf made of Cherry butcher block to match the rest of the furniture.

My questions are:

1. Where to get spike sets to put under the legs of each stand alone shelf i.e. recessed thread set into the wood and spikes to screw into them plus locking nuts

2. We live in a 200 year old farmhouse with a suspended (uneven) solid Oak floor. I can't use spikes so was looking at what kinds of feet to put under the bottom legs: neoprene isolation pads, sorbothane, or what?

Any help, pointers, or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Roger
wqgq_641
13 responses Add your response
doitwithlife's avatar
doitwithlife
98 posts
 
In the process of planning a rack myself. 

Looking at creating a floating rack using cork and rubber isolation pads. Entire rack would rest on a set of pads so no direct contact between the floor and rack.

Similar to these, but found some that rated higher that will carry the 400# of rack and gear.

" https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-VPRC-200-Rubber-Cork-Anti-Vibration-Pad-2-x-2-x-7-8?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx_PNyLWy6gIVghx9Ch3TbQzbEAQYAyABEgJrMfD_BwE"
tomstruck's avatar
tomstruck
350 posts
 
wqgq_641  sapele is beautiful know it to well Was turning  some of it on the lathe when half of it split and gave me 58 stitches 
ebm
9,311 posts
 
I will be going to Home Depot to build one soon.
wqgq_641 OP
59 posts
 
If any of you wish to reply with links to photos of your homemade racks or stands, I'd be curious to see them. Thanks.
wqgq_641 OP
59 posts
 
@twoleftears I've four large gliders, thanks. 3/8" was easist size to buy metal sockets to insert into the legs

@mattmiller my previous rack was Salamander, my partner objected to it aesthetically and I wasn't all that impressed it sonically. I can certainly do better aesthetically and I'm curious to see if I can do better sonically.

@tomstruck duly noted. I showed my partner Sapele which has similar physical properties to Mahogany and is much easier to get but she rejected that as looking too similar in colour to the old Oak floor. So 1.5" think cherry butcher block it is.

vegasears
1,173 posts
 
Kinda on topic:  I made an addition to my Salamander Twin 40 rack not to long ago.  I bought extra posts and related hardware from Salamander, very helpful people too.  I found a sheet of 1" Medium Density Fiber Board at a local Lumber Warehouse.  Salamander does not kill you on the hardware cost but the Triple Bay top and bottom shelves ouch.  Doing the woodwork myself saved about $500.00. 
tweak1
3,658 posts
 
My living space has mexican tile, which is a RPITA to balance anything on. The sad part is underneath is terrazzo, but removing all the tile would be extremely messy, and dusty. I could solve the dust issue by using water to wet the tiles and grout without soaking. Hmmmm. Sounds good, BUT, the tiles cover my room, which is 19 X 37


Another option is to make dollys with large rubber wheel feet. OR, buy them from Harbor Freight: I am using them under my Emerald Physics KCIIs to great affect


I could do this to my Solid Steel vertical rack as well, but it would require some DIY and Im lazy

I use Machina Dynamica heavy springs under all my gear. It’s very low cost with extremely high results


hth
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
butcher blocks or kitchen countertops from IKEA are nice and come in various thickness and cut to measure. Better being able to adjust each shelf seperately. For ground you can use speaker or rack decoupling discs or machine your own. Fun time.
tomstruck's avatar
tomstruck
350 posts
 
I make stands and rack for audio if you make a rack yourself the shelves need to be a minimum of 1.5 inch thick and hardwood any less and it will pass vibrations into your gear 
If I was to buy a rack the ones Mapleshade sell fit the bill

Tom
Enjoy the Music
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
If you decide you might want to Not build it yourself I highly recommend the Salamander Designs Archtype system with Cherry wood shelving. These have options for spikes or caster rollers or rubber caps and each self is infinitely adjustable and isolated with metal and rubber washers. Beautiful.
www.salamanderdesigns.com/archetype-system
Matt M
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
No reason not to use Herbie's threaded gliders, which will be adjustable and gentle to antique floors.  You'll need to source threaded inserts from any hardware supply.
Explore their website, there are lots of goodies.
https://herbiesaudiolab.com/
wqgq_641 OP
59 posts
 
Thanks, I hadn't heard of Part Express - I've just been been looking https://www.analogueseduction.net/isolation/analogue-studio-locking-m8-floor-spikes-set-of-4.html

It is the footing for bottom legs onto the floor that concerns me most
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Parts Express

Part numbers:  240-666 - 240-8xx Spikes that are able to be leveled and have floor protection pucks to boot..

A few to pick from and mounting hardware..

Hope this helps.. DIY is fun, it's yours, it's one of a kind...

Enjoy...

Regards
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