TNT Audio's Flexy Rack

Given this design, MDF is not a good idea. You need a more stronger shelve material...something like Granite. I'm sure you will get cheap granite..

Do NOT make your racks too high. It will affect the "perceived" sound stage. Try not to make equipment rack...not more than 2.5 feet tall.

Yes Siva, I was thinking of granite myself, marble was another option but it's turning out to be expensive. Do these guys round the edges of the granite slabs and supply them in the given measurement, (I'm going for 60cm X 45cm - is that ok) - drill holes and all??

The structural rigidity of this rack depends on the weight of the shelf...so you need to do something about this. MDF is definetely not a good choice. You can look at loading MDF with something like Kaddapa or cheap slate stones...or even with Sand. Use your creativity.

The structure also benefits from keeping the height miniumum. Try to keep it to 3 shelf, instead of 4.

shahrukh, 4 feet is very difficult to get exactly aligned..and even if you do that a slightest uneveness of the floor will make it unstable . 3 legged is actually more stable .

as Siva suggested. if you do want to use MDF, then try to have mdf "boxes" made which can be filled with sand in order to give it weight and also act as very good vibration damping agents.

marble is very often not recommended as it supposedly rings at high frequency..althugh damping the bottom part with any damping agent may tweak ti.

Hi Sharukh,
Congrats.
I have used the 4 legged TNT flexy for some years now, and it works just fine with MDF shelves. Use thick ones. There is no great problem levelling it either. I dismantled it last month so I cant send you pictures, but it is very heavy and solid as it is. What you can do -as I did- was to make a rubber sandwich of two shelves each. Get a rubber sheet - the kind they use to make shoe soles and have it cut to size for each shelf. Use a nut and a rubber Washer for each shelf. For making the holes in the MDF dont go to a carpenter go to a lathe machine wallah he will do it much more neatly. There is absolutely no need to make a sand box for anything but the turntable. Its very heavy and stable. Its fun, but turning those nuts up and down can be tedious.

By the way are those rods Mild Steel (MS) or Stainless Steel. Are the nuts and washers SS or MS? If SS I too would be interested in procuring them. My stuff is MS and the rust is begining to show. Could you message me with details of cost and sourcing.

Purnendu

Thanks all.

Siva, the rack will NOT be placed between the speakers so I don't think height will be a major issue here.

Loading: initially I thought I make the top shelf a sandbox, but decided against it since I don't have a TT yet. I'm not fixated on MDF, if just granite will work, I'd go for it. Thing is it has to aesthetically match (atleast closely) my current room furniture (WAF, WAF, WAF!!!)

Arj, I've been having this 3 feet vs. 4 feet debate myself. My only worry with 3 feet is it looks to easy to tip over. And with some very careless people at home, I don't want this big heavy rack to come crashing down.

Purnendu, my rods, nuts, washers - all are SS. Bought them from a store called Mohanlal & Co. from Lohar Chawl in Mumbai. More details in PM.

actially purnendus idea on sandwiching 2 MDfs is very nice. maybe you can even try cork ? or one of those Bitumen sheets to ensure sound damping ?

3 feet is quite stable i doubt if anyone can tip it and make it fall.

Bitumen sheets - not a bad idea. How thick should I keep each of the shelves then - if I were to sandwich em. I'm also toying with granite idea - less hassle and some nice gloss.

I'm beginning to think this project is jinxed. First, something or the other would come in the way to get hold of these all thread rods. Now that I have them and was just about to get started on the rack, my back has given way and I've been laid up at home for the last two days. Go figure!
No chance I'll be able to go and "pick up" some granite shelves right now!

Sorry to hear that

Get well soon.

Thanks Manek.

hey dude..take care. back pain can be nasty so heed the Drs advice