I think I have noticed that several people here have Mapleshade's maple racks.
Am I correct in thinking that they are maple shelves held together by all-thread?
If so, I think that I can make my own for quite a bit less than what they charge for them. I have a huge section of a maple stump, a chainsaw, and friends with plainers and saws. I know where there are at least 4, 6' lengths of 1 1/4-7 all-thread. It sounds like I have a project!
How thick should I make the shelves? 4"? 2"?
Does maple really sound better? I'm sure it does. Sorry, the skeptic in me just lashed out. Should I charge myself $1200 for it.

You should charge yourself $2,000.00 for having such a capital idea!

I am sick of racks that make you bend over to do everything. That is why I attached shelves to the wall.

Whatever you can do for yourself with these racks and shelves is probably done better than store bought.

Well, I have a couple of hunks of maple sitting on sawhorses in my garage now. It only took a hour or so of cutting with a chainsaw this afternoon. I'm in way over my comfort zone on this one. But I've got zero money in this so far, so if things go bad, so what.
Thinking about it, no one ever knows anything about anything untill they do it. Hell, by this time next week I might be taking orders on high end woodworking projects.

I spent this afternoon plaining my maple down to a workable thickness. Both shelves are over 5" thick!
I'm thinking about leaving the outside edges natural, unfinished. I don't know yet.
I'm also contemplating how I want to hold these big hunks of wood. The all -thread thing has been done, not a bad idea, but I think it looks too mechanical. I'm thinking more organic, somehow. Anyone have a idea?

One of the Engineers that works for me is working on plans on how to hold my big hunks o' maple. Right now the design for the supports look like C clamps grasping the shelves. They kind of remind me of the Steampunk movement. Retro high tech, Circa 1895.
This is typical of how I end up doing things. Start up with a nice simple idea, end up with 3D models in ProE and trying to find time on a friend's Machining Center. Why do something half way?

Just got the carpenter to polish the maple.
Lon, the reason I did not post earlier was because I was trying to locate Maple wood, which I finally managed to get. I got the 2 inch thickness, as four is not available. Getting this in India is next to impossible, but as luck may have it, I consult for a firm that also has a timber business arm.

Last week went at the lathe shop, where I turned our some brass footers.....basically a diy Mapleshade.

The rods for the rack are back after hard chroming ( just a anti rust measure done for free at a friends shop ) and the assembly will start today.

During the last week, since I had the wood with me, I put them on my old rack with the iso blocks......... it makes a difference.

shreekant

I spent the afternoon today teaching myself how to French Polish wood with shellac. So far, so good. I put it on and if I don't like it I sand it off.
This woodworking stuff is hard work, especially if you don't know what you are doing.
But the internet is a wonderful teacher. And since I don't have a timeframe to meet, the pressure is off.
I still have to make the legs for my stand. It is looking like they will be walnut. The Steampunk look is still at the top in the running order. Some sort of complex looking clamping is in order.
Remember, if it is worth doing, it is worth overdoing.

Donnie,

By the time you are finished with the rack, your skills will be elevated to tackle a listening chair. Also in the steam punk style.

I like it...It would look great in Torii Red!!!!

Yup, it's going to be a nice rack. The price for the Mapleshade racks doesn't seem so wild now when I see how much time you are putting in.

limahuli,
Standard National coarse thread is 1 1/4-7. I'm assuming that Mapleshade uses coarse threaded all thread. You could go fine but you always stand the chance of galling, no I see that you are talking brass so galling shouldn't be a problem.
1 1/4 all thread is expensive, so make sure that you don't buy too much!
http://www1.mscdirect.com/eCommerce/NavigationServlet/Fasteners-Adhesives/Thread...
I've got to get back on my rack. I've been living on the road for the last 3 months, so my time working on stuff at home has been limited.

Interesting. I really like Mapleshade products but agree that sometimes their service leaves a bit to be desired. My Samson has 20 nuts and 4 caps for top of the rods.

I'd love to get a Version 3 one day. Maybe!

Thanks again for all the advice...I'm pretty sure the threads are coarse.
I haven't been here long enough to post URLs, but there's a close-up pic of the rod/nut/shelf assembly for the Samson V.1 on Mapleshade's site.

Looking at the pic, if the nuts are about 7/8" high, and using that for scale...the threads on the rod definitely lean more towards the coarse end of the spectrum.

Regardless, will use your formula for measuring tonight; thanks again!

Wow. Well, all the parts for the V.3 rack arrived (three separate deliveries from the UPS man, who earned his money that day; one box had two shelves in it and it was HEAVY!)

I managed to set the rack up in about 90 minutes and had everything in place on it in another thirty and it's everything that I hoped for. The CSP2+ and ZP3 and Rega RP3 sound so so good now on "firmer footing" and my tv picture is even improved. Not to mention that the tv screen is about 15 to 20 inches higher which reduces glare from light and makes it more visible from the dining-room. I wish I had bitten the financial bullet years ago and done this that much sooner. There's a richness and depth that is added that have put me over the moon. Too bad I'm going to have to take this system down in a few months and ship it and everything else across the country!

Yes. My folks need assistance if they are to stay in their home, their infirmities are starting to get the best of them.. I just can't ignore that I could be helpful and if I want to spend time with them. . . now's the time.

I love your thinking, Lon.  Way to go!

so...got my V.1 issues sorted out. I was having some problems with footfall noise with the turntable on the top shelf. Blu-Tack under the TT helped a bit, but I was unsatisfied with the isolation when I played LPs.

Recent discovery: rubber washers that fit the Mapleshade steel supports perfectly: Pasco 2208 1.5 by 1.25-Inch Rubber Slip Joint Washer. Can't post links yet but if you're interested, search that on Amazon.

I have a feeling they're cheaper elsewhere but I'm impatient. I ordered some today to test them out.

I'm putting these under the top cap nuts supporting the shelf upon which my turntable rests. Details on the results next week....maybe some photos, too.

Lon,
I'd put the tenderfeet (footsise?) under the Rollerblocks. The best of both worlds!