I’ve been asked to make some shelves for a friend of mine that does some occassional DJing and therefore has a considerable collection of vinyl records… with all the weight that goes with it. The span he wants them in is about 36″ wide and he wants the support not to be too visible. What would you suggest – solid boards or 3/4″ ply with the shelves housed into the sides and back, or supports on the 1 1/4″ system in the sides and the back? Any ideas gratefully received .
Roger
Replies
Roger,
Take a look...
http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm
if you could countersink a nut into both sides of the carcass (at the front inside edge of each shelf) you could run a threaded rod under each shelf, and hide it behind the front lip of the shelf. never tried it, but I can't imagine how it could deflect without tearing through the sides.
Have you thought about a torsion box?
Roger,
Dadoing into the back of the case will help but it will still sag in the front. tensioning a threaded rod under the shelf will make it worse, as you tighten the rod the sides will close causing the shelf to collapse. I have supported heavy book loads of 4 feet by laminating 3/4" and 1/2" ply and edging with 2"x3/4" oak on the front and back. there are no intermediate supports just standards on the sides. It appears to have been more than enough (probably not overkill though). Knowing how heavy records are I try laminating 2 3/4" pieces of Baltic birch ply. You would probably not need the solid wood edging. I would make a test shelf of the ply first. then add the hard wood if that isin't enough.
Mike
I suggest you educate your friend on the probable difference between what he wants and what will work well over time. LPs add uup like lead. Designing a 12"x12"x12" elegant cube system will give him filing logic as well as the ability to move those weights around. I would be very surprized to learn that he has only 36" of vinyl looking for a home.
3/4 or 5/4 plywood faced to look however you want it to should work. Vary dimensions, design a system. Have some fun. In the end, it's all boxes.
Hard to answer exastally...
a considerable collection of vinyl records...
My first thought would be for a dust proof case.. SO it solves the problem because of a face frame that helps hold the shelf.. You know.. Glass doors or something to keep the dust out... In front..
In the back use some ply.. 1/2 inch will do or even thinner.. Route out for just a 'kiss' of insert of each shelf.. It does not need much support if glued it there..
I would NOT use anything open if the collection is valuable which I assume it is..
See how many records there is.. and I would assume sort of in some sort of groupes.. Make the shelves hold in sections by 'whatever/however' sorted..
Buy the way.. Vinal does NOT like heat so be sure where you put the cabinets..
Just me.. Only vinal I have left is 'Cool Water' by the Sons Of The Pioneers' and a real oldy from the 1940's or was that a slate record?? Shrimp Boats Is a Commin'....
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled