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My DIY Flexi Rack

Yesfan70

I'm famous now bitches! vvvvv
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originally posted 12-18-2008 on S&V

This project should have been done a long time ago, but it wasn't until I got my projector that I made myself (finally) get it done. I have a bad problem with not finishing a project and this one was a good example, so bear with me.

After doing a search, I found there was a lot of ways to make your own flexi but I thought the one shown on Wardsweb's sight seemed to be the best solution for me, so I made note of the materials and headed to Home Depot for the supplies. Here's a link to Wardsweb's sight. (hope you don't mind Wards)

The Rack

First I measured out how long I wanted my rack. I already have a Salamander rack that I was using, but wanted something a little wider and in a different finish. Because of that, I didn't worry about getting the nuts and washers as I was going to use the hardware from my Salamander rack. I did need to get some all thread as the shortest pieces were 30" long. I wanted something a little shorter and I needed 8 legs instead of 4 for my rack. Since the nuts were 5/8", I needed to get 5/8" rods instead of the 3/4" rods and nuts that's used in Ward's Rack design.

Here's the pieces of birch plywood cut out

DIYFlexyRack01.jpg



I drilled my holes using a 3/4" spade bit. For the trim to hide the plywood, I used Band-It white oak 3/4" veneer trim. The trim has an adhesive backing so all you have to do is iron it in place. To trim any access, You can get a Band-It trimmer. The veneer trim and the trimmer used to be sold at Lowe's, but I have not been able to find it there any more. I'm sure a quick search on the web will turn up a dealer.

Next I stained the pieces to a desired finish.

DIYFlexyRack03.jpg



Close up of one of the shelves.

DIYFlexyRack04.jpg




If I remember correctly I think I got two 4x8x3/4" pieces of cabinet grade birch and that made 10 pieces that were 16x24 and two long pieces that were 16x66 with a third section that's not as long. I wound up only using about 4 of those 10 short pieces, so I'll just save the extra for another rack.


Sorry for the bad phone pic. The next two pics were taken the same time I was building my screen frame due to my camera's battery being dead. Here's what the rack is starting to look like.

DIYFlexyRack05.jpg




I used the casters, nuts, and washers from the Salamander rack. The all thread I had bought had a silver zinc finish to it. I was going to leave it like that thinking it would give a nice contrast to the black nuts and washers and stained shelves. After getting it partially assembled, I took it back apart and painted the all thread black. Glad I did that as I like it better that way.

Almost completed here, still a few more shelves.

DIYFlexyRack06.jpg




At this point here, I'm just hand tightening the nuts. Once the rack is completed, I'll go back with a small level and even up the shelves and then crank them down tight so the unit is rigid and not...well...."flexy". (I know, bad joke).

The completed rack

DIYflexi-rack005.jpg


DIYflexi-rack006.jpg




A close up of the top shelf.

DIYflexi-rack007.jpg




I'm still not really finished with it. For one, I need to order some more connectors and make some longer cables. The cabling back there looks horrible, but I had to work with what I had. I have thought about using a piece of peg board to place on the back to better hide the cables and also better manage them as I could use zip ties through the board's hole to hold the cables in place.

Hope you guys like it. I know I do. The good thing with these styles of racks is you can add on and/or reconfigure them anyway you like. They are not as majestic looking as some of these higher dollar furniture designs, but their functionality (to me) is unmatched.
 
Looks great. I won't comment on the cables because the back of my rack is pretty terrible too.

What kind of paint did you use on the all-thread? I've heard of others having trouble getting the nuts on/off because of the threads getting all gummed-up.
 
Towen7 said:
Looks great. I won't comment on the cables because the back of my rack is pretty terrible too.

What kind of paint did you use on the all-thread? I've heard of others having trouble getting the nuts on/off because of the threads getting all gummed-up.


That was me. I used this:
 

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Wade, you always complement me on my carpentry, but I gotta say, you're no slouch. Another fine job. Now can you start migrating my Batcave DIY thread over here... :teasing-tease:
 
Great Job! :music-rockout:
I envy you having a rack on a hard floor with wheels, that'd make wiring maintenance so much easier.
 
Towen7 said:
Looks great. I won't comment on the cables because the back of my rack is pretty terrible too.

What kind of paint did you use on the all-thread? I've heard of others having trouble getting the nuts on/off because of the threads getting all gummed-up.


I think mine was Rustoleum flat black. It was the same paint I used on my speaker stands.


I have to admit, I am embarrassed about the wiring mess. I do have some peg board I need to cut down. I've just been lazy in getting that done.


i know these are old threads, but thanks (again) guys for the remarks. It means a lot.
 
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