DIY Flexi Rack

Discussion in 'DIY Discussion' started by johnandchris, Mar 19, 2009.

  1. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    Folks.

    I am currently building a Flexi rack, utilising stainless steel rod x3 (M20 with one end of each turned into a spike), 6 mdf shelves (20mm thick), 36 m20 nuts and 36 rubber (hand cut) and 36 steel washers.
    I am going to paint to match the living room and then re-site my kit.
    Is it worthwhile painting the underside of each shelf with damping paint or is that just overkill.
    Pics to follow.
    regards
    John
     
    johnandchris, Mar 19, 2009
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  2. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    Not overkill but I ve never done stuff I can't undo (moderatley)easily.

    Have to say I ahven't heared of damping paint!

    What I've done in the past is use blu tak. Underneath its out of sight :) . Use lorry loads for best results.
     
    DavidF, Mar 19, 2009
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  3. johnandchris

    zanash

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    I built the one daves using ...its not quite a la tnt ....but I thought it was at least as good as my previous comercial offering from alphason ....

    one idea I had was to float one of the shelves off a static point from the rods ...the nearest I got was to fix one shelf and then place sorbthane disc for a second unlocked shef to st on ..the stethoscope test showed it was isolating the gear very well ...

    I've now moved on to two lack tables [thats six original units !] this is lighter and stiffer .and sounds as good
     
    zanash, Mar 20, 2009
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  4. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    FINISHED!!
    I am very pleased with the look of the table, just got to try it now.
    Pics to follow
     
    johnandchris, Mar 22, 2009
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  5. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    Luk!!


    :)
     
    DavidF, Mar 22, 2009
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  6. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    I am trying to upload 2 photos of the rack in situ, however they are too big to upload. how do i get them on.
    Regards
    John
     
    johnandchris, Mar 24, 2009
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  7. johnandchris

    zanash

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    you need to edit the photo using an editing suit to reduce the size ..I use seriff photo plus but there are lots of these bit of softwatre about

    or reduce the image size on the camera....though mine won't go down to the size limit on here
     
    zanash, Mar 24, 2009
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  8. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    ....or photobucket......up load the image....then copy paste in IMG format in advanced mode

    seems to work for me
     
    DavidF, Mar 24, 2009
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  9. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    Too computer technical for me!! A lot of people seem to be able to put large photos on, is there any way that i can?
     
    johnandchris, Mar 24, 2009
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  10. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    yes.....

    from one techno phobe to another

    the way i did it

    1) get yoiur pic on your computer ...presumably already done

    2) open an account with a photo hosting web site....like i say i used photobucket. This is free by the way.

    3) get into the P/B browser and upload your pic from your pc to the web (P/B) web site.

    4) once the pic is on photo bucket you have the four options underneath of format.....don't ask me what they all do....*cos I haven't a clue.......

    .....one of the options is "IMG" format


    5) right click and "copy" that option........go straight then to your forum....

    6) using "advanced" (the icon usually at the bottom of the message box) right click and paste the "IMG" code from photobucket into the message box.

    7) submit the message (or reply) and click on it for yourself to check it works.



    Hope this helps



    :)




    edit

    let me know how you get on!
     
    DavidF, Mar 24, 2009
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  11. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    DavidF, Mar 24, 2009
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  12. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    [​IMG]
     
    johnandchris, Mar 25, 2009
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  13. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    [​IMG]
     
    johnandchris, Mar 25, 2009
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  14. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    SUCCESS! Thanks for your help.
    Please note, i am going to tidy up the power cables. I made them fit the previous installation and now they dont reach.
    John
     
    johnandchris, Mar 25, 2009
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  15. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    Success indeed!

    Well done that man.

    The rack looks great....how does it sound...?

    ie the sonics with everthing on it?
     
    DavidF, Mar 25, 2009
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  16. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    DAVIDF.
    Thanks for all your help.
    It is hard to say if it has improved really as i changed my speaker cable (my own solid silver cable whose design i have changed) due to the different distance between the old and new setup.
    What i can say is this. The sound is 10 times better than it was with my old set up. my old set up consisted of an enclosed, glass fronted cabinet with all my boxes in it. If i tuned the system up reasonably loud, the pressure waves caused by the speakers (which were situated either side of the cabinet) could cause the CD player to skip. If you put your hand in the cabinet you could feel why!!!!!!
    The new rack is absolutely rock solid and very, very heavy. There appears to be absolutely no vibration in the rack whatsoever no matter the volume level. The bass from CD is now in a different league altogether, but perhaps the gratest difference is when using my LP12. I initially put on the killers new album on LP and whilst it sounded better, it was not startling, however i then put on Book of dreams by Steve MILLER and WOW. Sounded like a completely different package, and this with a BASIK LVX arm!!
    In sum, for a relatively modest sum (i had most of the MDF in the garage) i have made a piece of hi-fi furniture that i am delighted with. It is very rigid (partly due to the number of shelves, partly to the 20mm stainless and partly due the the herculean effort i made in tightening the bolts) and i think looks great.
    Best of all, it is a doddle to make and so easy to level. I can highly recommend.

    John
     
    johnandchris, Mar 25, 2009
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  17. johnandchris

    DavidF

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    Sounds great.

    Glad you got good positive results.
     
    DavidF, Mar 25, 2009
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  18. johnandchris

    misterpete

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    Hi, Nice rack, I made a much smaller version, (3 shelves) but it sounds better than the Atacama that I had. I kept my bolts fairly slack, so it's got some movement, hence "Flexy Rack" Similar to the Quadraspire principle. By the way, you really need to move that sofa!
     
    misterpete, Mar 25, 2009
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  19. johnandchris

    johnandchris

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    Ill Ask The Boss If I Can Move The Sofa!!!!!!
     
    johnandchris, Mar 26, 2009
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  20. johnandchris

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

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    Here is mine, I bought it about four years ago.

    [​IMG]

    I really really really need to tidy it all up, the shelves have become a bit of a dumping ground.
     
    amazingtrade, Apr 7, 2009
    #20
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