AV Rack in chennai

flanker.r · #11 21st November 2008, 01:31 PM

The entire design for the above rack is available on tnt audio and its free.

The TNT FleXy Table

Muthusami S · #12 21st November 2008, 02:23 PM

Flanker,

It is lovely looking and kudos to you. Where did you get the components. Any special reason to opt for a 3-leg design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flanker.r

Hi Kalyan,

It is very simple to make a hi-fi rack yourself. It took me two days to make one and the entire process was fun. Also you can customize it your proportions (I used golden ratios for rack dimensions to keep away rogue resonance), high quality 0.75 " MDF panels with veneer paneling giving it a beach-wood finish and spiked rods (turned on a precision lathe) to keep away acoustic feedback. It is a 3 leg design so coupling points to floor are minimised. Also if you wish to place a turn table on top, it is easy to level it. All racks can be adjusted to whatever height you want. I was in a little hurry to have all my equipment back and get to listening. Take one more day than I did to finish it and I am sure your rack will be a thing of absolute beauty. No commercially sold unit comes close to this and you would have the satisfaction of having custom built it yourself (trust me, that feeling alone is worth attempting this). My advise, don't use glass shelves. They do not dampen vibrations. Use MDF, the choice of the best speaker manufacturers.

Guess what, the entire thing cost me about Rs 3000 and it is a proper Hi-Fi rack with no pretensions

venkatcr · #13 21st November 2008, 02:53 PM

Flanker,

Your racks look beautiful. Can you tell me the exact specifications of the rods, nuts, and washers and where you got the rods from?

Cheers

flanker.r · #14 21st November 2008, 02:56 PM

Thanks a lot....

I preferred a 3 leg design due to following advantages it has over 4 legs

1. Easier to level the racks using a spirit level
2. One leg less through which vibrations can travel up the rack and reach the sensitive equipment
3. I felt it looked more 'hi-fi'
4. Another crucial reason- my amps (esp my phono preamp) are so sensitive that they easily pick up any stray RF and EMI. The rods being metallic act as antenna. Having 3 antennas is better than 4
5. You drill one hole lesser on the racks - hence the density is maintained. This in-turn maintains the structural rigidity of the racks and prevents sagging
6. Since the holes are asymmetric, you can prevent resonance between legs affecting the components placed (ideally the 3 holes should be different diameters) on them

All components used to make the rack are available in Chennai.

flanker.r · #15 21st November 2008, 03:09 PM

Hi,

Since everyone here likes it so much I thought I'll post one more pic of it so that you get an idea of how it would look when equipment is placed and are more inclined towards building it.

flanker.r · #16 21st November 2008, 03:14 PM

Do not use glass, Rubber wood, Composites or Pre-laminates.

Use good old MDF. If you want better aesthetics build one with Granite, Marble or Acrylic

Muthusami S · #17 21st November 2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flanker.r

Thanks a lot....

I preferred a 3 leg design due to following advantages it has over 4 legs

1. Easier to level the racks using a spirit level
2. One leg less through which vibrations can travel up the rack and reach the sensitive equipment
3. I felt it looked more 'hi-fi'
4. Another crucial reason- my amps (esp my phono preamp) are so sensitive that they easily pick up any stray RF and EMI. The rods being metallic act as antenna. Having 3 antennas is better than 4
5. You drill one hole lesser on the racks - hence the density is maintained. This in-turn maintains the structural rigidity of the racks and prevents sagging
6. Since the holes are asymmetric, you can prevent resonance between legs affecting the components placed (ideally the 3 holes should be different diameters) on them

All components used to make the rack are available in Chennai.

Hi Flanker,

I am very amazed about your scientific and logical explanations for the 3-leg option. I thought manufacturers prefer to cut the production cost and save their margin. Now only I understand the fact. Even exorbidant-priced rack manufacturers do not mention these facts in their advertisements/catalogs for a 3-leg design.

Your information will be highly useful for all DIY members and help members to not plunge into snobbish products.

Thanks a lot.

A special note to the member and my friend, sgmane: Please look at this really awesome rack; I hope this would stimulate you to go the DIY way.

Flanker, by the way, can you share the details of your Hifi gears. Thanks.

Update: Flanker, I have seen the details of your setup in your another post. Thanks.

Regards,
Muthusami. S

flanker.r · #18 21st November 2008, 08:07 PM

Hi Venkatcr,

You get the rods in Guindy Industrial estate area. The rods are 15 mm dia with I guess M8 threads. Thread direction is right. Don't worry about the pitch too much, just use compatible nuts. But ensure atleast 15 mm dia so that rods dont buckle. Anything more than this will look ugly and will eat into your rack space.

Buy 1 metre rods and while you are there in the industrial area get them electroplated (if you are lucky enough to find high quality stainless steel ones you can ignore this step). Buy TVS nuts (they are heat treated and hardened) of appropriate pitch. You would need 6 nuts per rack if you are going for 3 legged design. Washers need to be neoprene. Those guys won't know neoprene. Tell them flexible plastic washers that is a little black, grey whatever. Also buy good quality metal washers

All components required are out there and easily available.

venkatcr · #19 22nd November 2008, 10:56 AM

Thanks Flanker. I will hit Guindy tomorrow.

BTW, I have a wild idea. Can we work together on this together and make it available as a complete DIY kit with ready made parts and instructions? We can make it available to all members here, so that all they have o do is assemble it. We can even add a spirit level so that they can ensure is it level. We can work with some machining company in the Guindy area.

This will be a great service we can do to members here.

Cheers

flanker.r · #20 22nd November 2008, 11:36 AM

Hi Venkarcr,

The MDF boards and threaded rods are quite heavy and it will be difficult to ship them. Lets say we want to ship it it to Mumbai, the cost of shipping will almost be equal to the cost of the entire project. All components required for making the rack are easily available

Let me not discourage your nice idea but think about it. The USP of the rack is easy availability of components, customization and extremely low cost. With the cost of shipping included it might make the rack prohibitive to most users. But ya if we have a lot of members wanting it at same time we may undertake it as it would help bring down the per unit price as MDF sheets are sold in 11' * 8' planks usually

I would be glad to assist individuals who wish to undertake this project

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The Following User Says Thank You to flanker.r For This Useful Post:
Muthusami S (21st November 2008)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to flanker.r For This Useful Post:
Muthusami S (22nd November 2008), venkatcr (22nd November 2008)