IKEA Lack table hifi rack

[carono]

I wanted a cheap but sturdy rack that housed all components and my records. The IKEA Lack table hifi rack hack is quite popular and you can find various versions posted on the internet. I decided to give it a go, with a few variations of my own so that it was sturdy (and heavy) and would hold records.

 

 

What i used:

 

• 6 x IKEA Lack Tables 
• 22 x wooden dowels (each approx 50mm/2 inches long)
• 1 x tube of PVA wood glue
• hard wood lengths to go inside hollow table legs

 

Tools 

• 1 x drop saw (mitre saw)
• 1 x electric drill
• 1 x bench vice (to hold legs when drilling the holes for wooden dowels)

 

 

Here is what i did:

 

1. Measured height of each audio component and made a little sketch to show dimensions of finished product. I left a bit of space to allow for air circulation, with more space over my amp than other components.
2. Cut the legs of each Lack table set to suit required height. I put gaffa tape around the leg where the cut was to be made to prevent any splintering/chipping of the white surface. A handsaw, jigsaw or circular saw will not to the job (i tried this on a test piece before remembering i had a dropsaw in the shed).
3. I filled the hollow legs with lengths of hard, solid wood (from an old balustrade that i had dismantled a few years ago) and wedged and glued them in. They fitted quite well, but i still had to wedge and glue them in.
4. Drill holes on the bottom of each table leg, and at each corner of the table top surface. This is for the wooden dowels that will hold each table together.  Remember not to drilll the table top of the top unit (the one your turntable sits on). Using a drill press will make sure your drilling is perfectly vertical and accurate. I didn't have a drill press, and managed ok. Make sure you measure where your holes are going to go, and use a drill bit so that the wooden dowel will fit snug.

 

You can now start assembling each individual table. The lack tables come with some double screws to fit the tops of the legs to the underside of the tabletop.

 

Each assembled table can now be fitted together in the order you require, with a length of wooden dowel to hold the table to the one above it. I made sure the wooden dowel was tight in the hole as i didn't want to glue them (in case i want to change the order of each unit at a later date).

 

Each tables come with plastic bases. Throw most of them away, and fit four plastic bases to the legs on the lowest unit (the one on the floor)

 

I used a spare bits of legs to put in the addition vertical 'leg' so that records can be held upright properly (see photo)

I used spare bits of leg to make cable tidy that go at the back. I used a 35mm drill bit to make the holes in  the table tops and for the cables to exit the legs (see photo). [note the photo was taken during test assembly and the units aren't pushed together properly. The finished product is very neat with no gaps].

 

Here are some tips: 

 

• Measure at least twice
• Put a cloth around peices you hold in a vice so not to damage the white veneer
• Don't tighten vice to much
• label front and back with a pencil, so anything less than perfect gets hidden at the back
• Do a trial assembly before any gluing

 

 

 

lack-side-table.pdf

Edited April 19, 2019 by carono

[carono]

I'm really open to comments and constructive criticism for this post. Feel free to shout out with how you think this could be improved. Questions welcome. 

 

I'm very happy with the build. It was quite easy to do. It weighs a ton, due to the wooden lengths inside each table leg. My hifi sounds so much better (which really surprised me) than when everything was on temporary shelving.

 

The only thing i don't like is that the rack is very deep (sticks out from the wall a lot). There is a lot of dead space behind each component. My Krell amp goes back a long way - more than most other amps - and there is still a lot of space behind it.

Edited April 19, 2019 by carono

[Candyflip]

I think it's really beautiful and a great job - looks professional and very presentable.

Great sizing too for each level.

Simple and effective.

 

My only question: what damping facility does it have?

The vibrations from these multiple joins would be significant, I would think?

 

Oh: and I've moved this to DIY Audio Projects, where it may get a significantly more focussed audience.

[carono]

25 minutes ago, candyflip said:

I think it's really beautiful and a great job - looks professional and very presentable.

Great sizing too for each level.

Simple and effective.

 

My only question: what damping facility does it have?

The vibrations from these multiple joins would be significant, I would think?

 

Oh: and I've moved this to DIY Audio Projects, where it may get a significantly more focussed audience.

 

There is no damping mitigation. It's a cheap n cheerful rack, but does have limitations

[A J]

I think those lacks have inherent damping abilities built in - at least I’ve found that when used with a turntable.

 

[rocky500]

You could cut each shelf, so they don't go back as far. At least the cut ends will be against the wall too, so need to cover them.

The only thing is it could weaken them if the sides are what gives them strength if they are hollow.

[Candyflip]

3 hours ago, A J said:

I think those lacks have inherent damping abilities built in - at least I’ve found that when used with a turntable.

 

Because they are made from a particleboard composite, right?

 

I've heard this too, but I'd love to see some data/proof of what they actually achieve.

I'm hoping this inexpensive solution kills every 'audiophile' thousand dollar commercial solution I'm usually seeing.

[Guest Muon N']

1 hour ago, candyflip said:

Because they are made from a particleboard composite, right?

 

I've heard this too, but I'd love to see some data/proof of what they actually achieve.

I'm hoping this inexpensive solution kills every 'audiophile' thousand dollar commercial solution I'm usually seeing.

I saw one broken up that someone tossed off the balcony above us, some of it looked a lot like cardboard. With that wave like structure inside, best I can describe it.

Edited April 19, 2019 by Muon N'
typo

[Candyflip]

2 minutes ago, Muon N' said:

I saw one broken up that someone tossed off the balcony above us, some of it looked a lot like cardboard. With that wave like structure inside, best I can describe it.

Ahh you definitely don't want to get em wet!

Should not normally be an issue of course.

[Guest Muon N']

1 minute ago, candyflip said:

Ahh you definitely don't want to get em wet!

Should not normally be an issue of course.

Definitely!

I watched it decompose somewhat as I was sick of picking up other peoples crap, and there was rain. I'm sure it would have disappeared completely apart from the wrap if the owner didn't bin it when he came around :)

 

The OP's stand looks very cool

[rantan]

17 minutes ago, Muon N' said:

I saw one broken up that someone tossed off the balcony above us, some of it looked a lot like cardboard. With that wave like structure inside, best I can describe it.

It's lacquered cardboard.

Always remember that Ikea stuff is the cheapest production available at sweat shop levels. My amazement is based on the OP making something really clever and good  out of something rubbish and congrats for doing so.

[audiofeline]

Well done, it looks very presentable.  Good that you strengthened the legs.  The only concern I have is the amount of space above the components for ventilation - you don't want them to overheat.  I recall reading decades ago that a couple of inches was recommended - I don't know how accurate that is now.  Perhaps monitor how warm they get over extended use (in the heat of summer would be best). 

Edited April 20, 2019 by audiofeline

[Monkeyboi]

I'm always impressed when someone makes something useful out of relatively inexpensive materials and the result fits the purpose nicely.

I take my hat off to you for your innovative use of the products.  I doubt if you could have purchased an equivalent for the small outlay for the Ikea tables and the time used to put together a custom made product. 

 

Cheers,

Alan R.

[ThirdDrawerDown]

You could also post on the various Ikea hacks sites.

 

A nice piece of work especially to obtain a seamless finish.

 

I use a woodgrain Lack with balsa blocks on it as my turntable table. It is a matter of a combination of things, I am led to believe from one of my audio gurus. The materials, and the square shape and leg length which has a serendipitous effect on resonance. 

[carono]

Thanks for comments everyone. Happy with build so far. As for comment on leaving space above hifi components: Yes, important to leave adequate space. As mentioned in post, i've left good room above the amp. Other components do not produce significant heat (or have vents on top) and so less space above required. 

 

The only thing i can think of at this stage that i may have done differently is to make the lower base legs as high as the skirting board. This would mean the rack could be pushed flush against the wall. 

[oohms]

Dowels are a great way to stack them.. for this build i didn't bother reinforcing the legs

[tim_tam87]

I have a few Lack tables around the house...One of which, like other people is my turntable table (with a concrete paver in between).

 

Fantastic build!

 

 

[NADMAD]

 
There is no damping mitigation. It's a cheap n cheerful rack, but does have limitations

And the good news is that unless you have a turntable on top of the rack, the vibrations will have ZERO impact on the hifi’s ability to process electrons. Something which cruise missile manufacturers are inherently grateful for! *drops mic and skuttles off quickly

Great project BTW!

[MaxPlumage]

You sir, are amazing. Love the creativity and end result. Best wishes.

[spammoj]

Tried to find a photo that I saw somewhere but basically someone had overloaded one of these Lack tables with heavy hifi equipment and the tabletop basically broke due to the load.

 

I think you'd want to be careful about overloading a single tabletop. The material can't be any better than some low density particleboard. In the OPs case where each piece of equipment is sitting on an individual tabletop, this should be OK but still.....be careful. Last thing you'd want to come back to is your equipment all over the ground.

[usercam]

thats a great idea! I already have one of these Lack tables at home, I noticed the other day that Bunnings are selling what appears to be an identical table for the same price for those of us that don't live near Ikea

Edited June 7, 2019 by usercam

[jomjom]

Great idea I’m thinking of building my self one with 4 shelf made from ikea lack table stack together.

Just wondering if it’s strong enough to support an amplifier weighing 27 kilos?