Anyone here build a Flexy Rack?

billbillw

Just wondering if anyone here has built one of those Flexy Racks that are so popular over a AK and TNT audio. I'm really wondering how much it actually cost you for a basic rack not including tools. I've read that some people have built racks for less than $50 in parts, but I don't see how that is possible just from a quick walk around Lowes the other day. The stuff adds up so quickly, that I don't see how it could be done for much less than a hundred.

Ron-P

I've buit many. Currently, all my gear sits on 2 of'em. They are very easy to build and inexpensive. Some MDF and all-thread rods with nuts / bolts and your done. It can be done for less then $50 but it won't be fancy. Mine are just painted black. Here's a few older pics.





I did build mine with 4 legs, I've done the 3 leg ones but they were a bit too unstable to feel comfortable with.

pjdami

I built one too. If I remember correctly, cost was about $65. One can really get fancy with these things but I was after functionality and not too much on looks. Lowe's has these precut white shelves that I found that measure 15 3/4 " X 23 1/2 " that I just painted with three coats of black vinyl spray paint. I then used four 5/8" - 11 galvanized all thread rods (36 " long) w/ 5/8 " washers and 5/8 " nuts. Nothing too fancy and it works.

RuSsMaN

I did a 3-legger, and it's in my closet at as a shoe rack - no way I would have set gear on it. It wobbles like Ted at Polkfest.

billbillw

pjdami wrote:

I built one too. If I remember correctly, cost was about $65. One can really get fancy with these things but I was after functionality and not too much on looks. Lowe's has these precut white shelves that I found that measure 15 3/4 " X 23 1/2 " that I just painted with three coats of black vinyl spray paint. I then used four 5/8" - 11 galvanized all thread rods (36 " long) w/ 5/8 " washers and 5/8 " nuts. Nothing too fancy and it works.

Did you use the rubber washers too? I like the idea of prefab shelves, but mine need to be deeper because my Onkyo Amp is almost 17" deep. I'll keep looking around, but I think I'm just going to pickup a used Salamander here locally. The price isn't that much more than it would cost me to build.

Frank Z

Yes...
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/search.php?searchid=244387

billbillw

Frank Z wrote:

Yes...
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/search.php?searchid=244387

Thanks Frank, but I was looking to see what kind of costs people were actually building these for.

Ron-P

Did you use the rubber washers too?

I did on my first one, after that, no. I did not notice any difference in vibration dampening with the washers.

brettw22

One of the better ideas i've seen someone do with these types of racks was to custom cut PVC sleeves over the threaded bar so you can ensure you have equal distances between shelves at each of the 4 posts. Use a belt sander to make sure they're all equal and then you'll have a perfectly spaced shelf and there's no guessing involved on how many threads need to be shown etc etc......Plus, it dresses it up a bit to hide the exposed bars.

tryrrthg

I built one also and could have easily made it for $50 if I hadn't used the cherry vinyl veneer from Parts Express.

You can buy a 4' x 8' piece of MDF at lowes or HD for around $20. Just have them cut it down to your shelf size for you. When you drill the holes in your shelves make sure you drill holes that are the EXACT same size as the threaded rod you use, that will make sure it doesn't wobble (Russ). Also, if you can, drill the holes for the rods through all the shelves at the same time so that the holes all line up perfectly. It makes it much easier to assemble.

Frank Z

Mine was just under a C-note.

billbillw

Eh, screw it, I'll probalby just buy that Salamander for sale locally. Its a Synergy S40. I don't like the looks as much as the Archetype/Flexy Rack, but its a good deal and they are supposed to be really strong.

michael_w

I spent about $33 cdn on washers, nuts, rubber gasket delies and four rods (from home depot). The white marble I got for free but if you used mdf you could probably keep it under 50.

billbillw

Well, I decided that it would be best to just buy a used Synergy rack that I found locally on Craigslist. I'm glad I did. Its very sturdy, looks damn nice, and only cost me $100. Its got quite a few dents, knicks and scratches, but for the money, who cares. The only thing I don't like about it that you can't really see the equipment, but in the future, when rugrats come, this will give me peace of mind.