Audio rack shelf question

phoneisbusy

Hi everyone,

Have to build a stereo cabinet to protect the rig from the lil rugrat. Got the carcass done for it and now I have to build the shelves for it.

Does anyone have any opinions about contrained layer shelving? I read about it in Fine Woodworking and the idea appears to be using two disimilar materials to reduce the vibration/resonance to the equipment.

It sounds plausible and a quick google shows it being used in some pretty expensive racks. I think I'm going to forego the exotic kevlar/graphite composite mixtures and try mdf and 1/4" plywood. Perhaps cork as a sandwich layer (budget you know...).

Any opinions or is this just overkill?

Thanks

Dave

TonyPTX

hm, I've seen some DIY sites use the damping pads for cars and what not on the bottom of each shelf. Never heard about the dual woods being used. Honestly, I think it's a waste of time. MDF is pretty solid stuff to start off with. The dual layer may actually just be for shelf strength rather than vibrational purposes. By layering the grains in perpendicular fashion, you'll get a pretty stiff shelf. The downside to layering is that if you don't glue it well, it will vibrate more than if you had just used a single board.

Ceruleance

I highly doubt that if you built two shelves, one with two different materials, and one with a single layer of MDF, that you would be able to hear any differences. You might feel better about it, however, and if you just use MDF you may always wonder 'what if', so if its really bugging you, just do it. Personally I think its a bit silly and you should just stick with traditional shelf design, individually damping components later, if you think they benefit

gidrah

Yes! I would definately do a cork sandwich or one layer MDF, the other OSB or plywood. This would be more beneficial if only one layer makes contact with the framing.

You could also:
Use some molding around each shelf and fill this with sand up to where a board will fit inside without touching the edges of the molding.

Instead of cork, opposing magnets. These can be recessed and when the correct number is used will give you a floating platform.

Good luck! Sorry it was late.