DIY Turntable Rack - Maple Butcher Block + Aluminum I-Beams

[kach22i]

The process I went through is documented here:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?8643-DIY-Turntable-Rack

And some more here:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=481004

The final product:
http://s184.beta.photobucket.com/user/kach22i/library/DIY Audio Rack 2012

 

[Bernard]

George, looks good, but I would have put the vertical beams on each side farther apart. Are you still using the Dual turntable?

 

[twich54]

Looks good George.....kinda' makes me want to carve a baked ham !

 

[kach22i]

George, looks good, but I would have put the vertical beams on each side farther apart. Are you still using the Dual turntable?

Yes, I'm going to plug it back in today, after several months of disconnect. And also try out my direct drive TT which I picked up for $45 back in September - still unheard.

Looks good George.....kinda' makes me want to carve a baked ham !

Well, that sounds like a delicious idea.

Maybe one could laminate butcher block or MDF with a select hardwood of choice if they wanted to avoid such comments.

One design idea which I sketched up but elected not to build because it blocked the corners too much appears to be extremely stable as executed by Burmeister.

See the last post I made here:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=6457691#post6457691

 

[Bernard]

George,I have always liked that Burmester stand, and was thinking of it when I saw yours. But, I was wondering if it's possible to buy those "L" channels that are so well finished.

 

[kach22i]

George,I have always liked that Burmester stand, and was thinking of it when I saw yours. But, I was wondering if it's possible to buy those "L" channels that are so well finished.

You can get just about anything powder coated, it's a matter of precision machining and finishing before that phase though. I bet those star shaped connectors reside in some metal inserts and not just the fiber of the wood shelves. Also, I bet they use some pretty dense MDF or self made lamination's.

A quick and easy knock off could be made over a couple of weekends, you just have to be willing to live with something less than perfect. I think the used one I linked to was still $2,300, pricey for just three shelves if you ask me.

 

[User211]

http://www.customcreationpaints.co.uk/lux-p-38.html

Liquid metal paints would work, George - check the table out. You could just do the legs but you can put it on wood, too.

 

[kach22i]

http://www.customcreationpaints.co.uk/lux-p-38.html

Liquid metal paints would work, George - check the table out. You could just do the legs but you can put it on wood, too.

Regarding that triangular pedestal table, The stand looked to be originally a chromed metal, must have been chromed after welding. Copper paint over chrome seems silly because few materials are more durable than chrome on steel.

The top appears to be a white plastic laminate (Formica) or melamine, the edge seems are quite evident. The aluminum paint covers up that joint pretty well, but you can still see that it is not a solid surface even in those low resolution photos.

Overall, that table project is a good example of what can be done, it's just not to my taste. I've use real copper and real aluminum with no finishes or coatings, and allow nature to take her course. However, if I were to mass produce something I would see the value of appealing to a wider audience accustomed to a more processed look and feel.

Prior project using copper pipes:
http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/showthread.php?531-System-42-(Aerius)

The pipes have aged (oxidized) with a patina to a dark dull natural finish, which is fine with me.