Glass shelf project

Early B.

I have an extra glass shelf for my TV stand and I want to add another tier to the TV stand. The glass shelf would be set on top of the existing top shelf supported by four metal posts that can handle 600 lbs. each. I want to place my TV on top of the glass shelf which is roughly 16" x 48" and is 1/4 inch thick. The TV weighs 73 lbs. Will the glass shelf support the weight of the TV?

Thanks.

Polkersince85

Yes, until it breaks.

disneyjoe7

So the legs would be on the glass of the other shelf, if I understand correctly. If so I wouldn't do it, you're putting lot of force per square inch on the glass under the legs of the other shelf.

You may be buying 2 shelfs 1 TV when the first shelf fails the second comes down the TV hits the floor. Or you're looking for an Upgrade reason?

janmike

I think I would be looking at the psi of the TV and the glass. Anything heavy I would be leaning toward a tempered or laminated glass product. Just my opinion.

Early B.

disneyjoe7 wrote:

So the legs would be on the glass of the other shelf, if I understand correctly. If so I wouldn't do it, you're putting lot of force per square inch on the glass under the legs of the other shelf.

The existing top shelf is designed to hold something like 200 lbs and is screwed directly into the metal stand on all four sides, so the additional weight should not be an issue.

Early B.

janmike wrote:

I think I would be looking at the psi of the TV and the glass. Anything heavy I would be leaning toward a tempered or laminated glass product. Just my opinion.

It's tempered glass.

Early B.

Oh, the reason I'm considering doing this is because I don't have enough shelf space on my TV stand for all of my components since I consolidated my 2-channel and HT systems. I need space to add a pre and CDP. Right now my CDP is sitting on the floor supported by a makeshift amp stand.

disneyjoe7

So if I understand you right, the legs of one are connected to the legs of the other. Then I don't have an issue with that. My caution is with glass between the legs of the second shelf above, which doesn't seem to be the case.

Early B.

disneyjoe7 wrote:

So if I understand you right, the legs of one are connected to the legs of the other.

Not exactly. The legs of the top shelf will rest on the shelf beneath it (currently the top shelf). I'll find a way to adhere them to the shelf.

Here's a pic of the nearly identical TV stand in this thread (see post #12):
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44192

Imagine the inner shelf in this pic being suspended by four metal legs on the top shelf.

disneyjoe7

Early, I'm not comfortable with it, I wouldn't do it. Maybe you're more of a risk taker then I am.

janmike

At 48" long and 73 pounds I would not do it. To me the lenght is too much based on the weight of the TV and the thickness of the glass.

Midnite Mick

I have to admit that I would be too scared to attempt something like that. If it is of similiar size as the link that you provided I don't think it would be doable with 4 legs......maybe 6 though. I also thing that you may need some crossbracing network that goes from post to post that the glass sits on to further disperses the weight. Just my thoughts.

Good luck,
Mike

Polkersince85

I would go with a wall mount or a floor bracket to get the tv above the shelf, Free up the whole top shelf. One chip in the glass with the tv on it and you are gone.

Early B.

Midnite Mick wrote:

I also thing that you may need some crossbracing network that goes from post to post that the glass sits on to further disperses the weight. Just my thoughts.

Yeah, I think I'll add some bracing.

Early B.

Let me add that the middle shelf of my TV stand is exactly the same as the shelf I plan to add. I currently have about 70 lbs of gear on this middle shelf and it is only being supported by four tiny metal brackets.

The main question is whether a 16"x48"x1/4" tempered glass on metal legs can easily withstand the weight of my TV. The weight would be distributed fairly evenly across most of the length of the glass. If the answer is "yes," I'm good to go. If not, it's back to the drawing board.

Dennis Gardner

Tempered glass is tough as ****...........I've got a piece of scrap 3/8 inch thick 4 foot long that I can't break throwing it down on concrete.

Early B.

I decided to try it. Hell, the glass shelf weighs about 20 lbs. by itself, so it should be sufficient to hold 73 lbs. I'll double check with a local glass dealer before I do it, though.

amulford

If the legs are placed close to the contact piont of the TV you shouldn't have any problems. Tempered glass is tough as hell.

Early B.

OK, got her done.

Here are the BEFORE pics...

Early B.

...and these are the AFTER pics...

Early B.

The TV sits 9.5" higher than before. From the seating position it doesn't make much difference.

I haven't tested the HT system yet to see if the center channel at ear level makes a difference.

The glass is resting on four metal legs. I used silicone to adhere the legs to the shelves, both top and bottom. The shelf is not quite as sturdy as I would like (I don't want any movement in it at all), but I believe I have a partial solution -- I'm gonna strap the TV down. This TV was designed to be strapped down to a Sony stand so it wouldn't accidentally fall forward. Doing so will give me a bit more peace of mind.

Early B.

amulford wrote:

If the legs are placed close to the contact piont of the TV you shouldn't have any problems.

I made sure I did this. Most of the weight of the TV is in the back, so I placed the back legs closer together and the back of the TV is directly on top of these legs.

Dennis Gardner

Looks great!!! Man those VMPS are monsters!

disneyjoe7

Looks ok to me, thanks for the update. I think you're fine due to the closeness of the weight of shelf 2 to the cross support of shelf 1.

Early B.

Dennis Gardner wrote:

Looks great!!! Man those VMPS are monsters!

You oughta see 'em when they take their shirts off. Pure muscle, man!

tonyb

Lookin damn sweet Early. Congrats and enjoy.From one monster floor standing lover to another.

steveinaz

Cool looking room Early!

Early B.

OK, now I can definitely state that putting the center channel speakers at ear level makes a positive difference. More clarity, for sure.

Midnite Mick

How did I not see the photos until now? Very nice...glad everything worked out so well for you.

Mike

scottnbnj

Early B. wrote:

The shelf is not quite as sturdy as I would like (I don't want any movement in it at all), but I believe I have a partial solution -- I'm gonna strap the TV down. This TV was designed to be strapped down to a Sony stand so it wouldn't accidentally fall forward. Doing so will give me a bit more peace of mind.

nice look.

is the instability from the legs swaying? i mean, it might just be the camera angles, but the legs don't look plumb in relation to the speaks.

if that's the case, you need some sort of triangulation between the top and bottom shelves. if you can still lift the top shelf off you can probably do this pretty easily without losing the design look of what you've got now at all.

blu tack might be worth a try for the tv if you haven't gotten to the strapping yet.

)

Early B.

scottnbnj wrote:

blu tack might be worth a try for the tv if you haven't gotten to the strapping yet.

TV has been strapped to the stand, so it cannot be tipped over.