This next build would be for my father and his GF. I replaced their dieing bargain bin deck this Christmas and noticed a flat stack of records sitting next to it with no vertical storage available. They don’t have much space so something compact is critical. I’m looking for high storage density but with a spot for more convenient browsing through their most played stuff. And hoping for something that looks enough like an every day piece of furniture that it blends in a bit. So not too nice, but not too plain. Most of all it needs to be a simple and quick build, or I’ll drag my feet too much.
Overall dimensions of the unit itself would be 16.5" wide, 38" tall, 13.5" deep.
I plan to speed up the build by using available finished lumber widths. No ripping boards, just chop them down to needed lengths:
-12" wide edge-glued board for side panels and shelf bottoms
-1x8 boards for the top front/back and shelf back supports
-1x2 for the top sides, and front+back vertical supports/legs
Other ideas for speed build:
-It is small enough (no large weight-bearing spans) I might be able to use pocket screws only, no dowels. Makes assembly a bit more tricky though.
-The finish may end up more rustic.. Something like a distressed grey wash that I can do indoors. So simple hand-sanded edges may fly, instead of routing all the edges for a finer finish.
Right now they only have enough vinyl to fill the top section. But now they have a unit that plays well and is actually hooked to real speakers (instead of the dinky little onboard speaker). I’m hoping they use it more. And I’m looking forward to doing some weekend record store runs with them.
Currently still in the design phase though, so things may change. I sent the pics to him. We’ll see how it goes over. Feel free to make suggestions. I appreciate other viewpoints that could help tune my design ethos. Though alot of my build decisions end up heavily weighted by “juice vs squeeze” ratio.
Playing around with the design in my head a bit. I realized the same design could be made for a turntable up top, with a spot for a preamp and small amp just below. would only need to omit a few pieces and add a flat top. Funny enough the top would almost exactly match the dimensions of my AT-LPW40WN, and probably many others.
I picked up the lumber this evening. Sorted through about 100 pretzels to find a couple straight 1x2s. The 1x8 “quality” boards only had firewood left so I sifted through the “standard” grade ones. Scored one that is knot free, relatively straight with no cup or excessive twist. That was certainly the unicorn in the pile. I usually go with the “select” stuff, as that is orders of magnitude better quality. But you certainly pay for it (~3x-3.5x the price!). I didn’t think this project warranted it. The finish will be a bit rustic anyway.
New job has me either in heated machinist shops (0 humidity in winter) or outside loading/unloading the truck out in the cold wind. I get home to any exposed skin burning from what seems to be windburn. Realy doesn’t make me want to lug the miter saw out in the cold wind again to make the cuts when I get home in the evening. Ugh. I guess this is waiting for a reasonable weather weekend.
Sun, Overcast, or Cloudy >when outdoors for any real period of time, use sunscreen and/or face cream with sunblock. I volunteer a day a week at the ski resort and on really cold dayz - sunny or not I can look like a drunken critter by the end of a day
I drug the miter saw out in 20deg today to get started . I miscut the pieces that will go on the sides up top. They are the smallest pieces, so fortunately the least $ to redo.
I had some slight pause for using only glue on these joints. But I know I shouldn’t worry about it. Alot of the odd racking forces will be transmitted directly to the legs via the 1x8 boards at the front and back. The glue joints should mostly just see the static weight of the vinyl.
Yeah the cold was distracting enough to force a mistake. I picked up a 1x2 this afternoon to make new pieces but temps are falling.. to single digit tonight . I think I’ll wait for Wednesday when it will be above freezing.
I also picked up some Zinsser grey primer to try a grey wash with. I might lighten it up a bit with some white. Debating on what to seal it with. Currently thinking Watco spray lacquer (satin). I can spray it outside and immediately bring it in to dry. The smell is a little strong, but better than oil based poly. I have had bubbling issues with spray-can water based poly.
They don’t have much space so something compact is critical. I’m looking for high storage density but with a spot for more convenient browsing through their most played stuff. And hoping for something that looks enough like an every day piece of furniture that it blends in a bit. So not too nice, but not too plain. Most of all it needs to be a simple and quick build, or I’ll drag my feet too much.
I usually go with the “select” stuff, as that is orders of magnitude better quality. But you certainly pay for it (~3x-3.5x the price!). I didn’t think this project warranted it. The finish will be a bit rustic anyway.
Ugh. I guess this is waiting for a reasonable weather weekend.
. I miscut the pieces that will go on the sides up top. They are the smallest pieces, so fortunately the least $ to redo.
. I think I’ll wait for Wednesday when it will be above freezing.