[ironglen]

Hey, I just finished mine- it is SWEET (if I say so myself:sn Sure, it's not equipment wide, but close enough for access to knobs, and all my remotes work:T It is completely custom and is in my closet, behind a wall in the living room, it has six shelves made from plastic-coated wire shelving from lowes/hd and is secured to the 2x4's in front and suspended, yes! suspended from the ceiling by 3/8" x 6' threaded bolts that are bolted to a cross beam across the attic trusses. I've taken pics, I just need to post'em. pm me later this weekend if I haven't posted yet.

 

[ironglen]

Can you link the shelving that you used? I'd like to find some shelving about 20"x24" (WxD, I don't think 18" will be wide enough for all equipment) but haven't found anything yet. Can other folks chime in if they are using an inexpensive wire or homemade shelf? Mine will likely be going in a closet so it only has to be functional, not pretty.

I hope my post didn't imply that it was pretty :rolleyesno: It's not. :neener::rofl: But it's functional in that it holds ~120lbs of equipment, maintains circulation, allows easy rear panel access, and isn't an eyesore from the living room view. Plus it was pretty cheap to boot. Only problem I had was a shorter (less deep) than usual amp that sagged on its shelf, so I slid a stiff panel underneath that one-problem solved. I just made sure the hot stuff with under/over vents had room while the fan cooled amp/cooler components didn't matter.

 

[ironglen]

Ok, got the pics, although some are not as clear as I'd like, but you can get the idea. As I said, I used a 1 1/8" plywood piece across the trusses that are above the ceiling with the threaded bolts going through them with a washer and nut on each. Otherwise, I used the plastic shelf holders from the store along with metal pipe strapping that I cut to length and wrapped around the wire rack. I used washers and nuts both above and below the metal strapping to 'clamp' it when tightened on the long threaded bolt. I hope you improve on this or do better, and post pics/explanation, because it's kind of tedious putting it together (consider that a forewarning:heehee So far, it is has worked as advertised. I'll have to take pics of the finished in opening and custom door I built for cheap-cheap (though alot of time and:sweat I'm pretty happy with it!

 

[ironglen]

Completed photos::bigsmile:

Note: make absolutely sure there are NO pipes, conduit, ANYTHING in the space you're planning to use. Also, the adjacent studs in mine were crooked, imagine that! But I got the exterior flashing square and hung the door alright, so it isn't noticeable:bigsmile:

 

[ironglen]

Thanks for the compliment- I just got the outlaws as they seemed to be a good deal, add power while allowing for future upgrades, simplify the remote (waf), and satisfy my desires for 2nd zone a bit better (output adjustability). I've been extremely pleased with every piece of equipment I've bought secondhand from here and recently audiogon, but so with ebay sellersaddle:

If we were staying permanently, I'd consider taking one of the 2x4's out and widening the space so the equipment could be flush mounted. As is, the equipment faces are covered a bit more than I'd prefer, but all the switches/knobs are accessible, so I guess not a bit deal.

This picture is of my worst, I mean first attempt at an equipment 'rack'; when I was super-cheap, and lazy, I guess. I couldn't do anything with connections and it was an all-around pita, so now I have to repair the drywall:foottap:

If I learned anything, it was don't skimp too much as I've had to buy and re-run cables that were too short-another major pita:rolleyesno: Now I just have to figure out how to tidy-up the cables (any helpful advice?)

 

[ironglen]

I think I got you on the routing.

This is a home my wife and I are in; but I'll -eventually- finish my phd and have to move for a professor job (I hope). I've got to finish as jobs here stink for me otherwise. Tough since I've worked hard at getting this home the way I like it with ht, tiling floors, etc. oh well, I keeping telling myself the improvements will increase selling value...good luck to you in getting into a home- you really need one to set things up the way you like (and make mistakes along the way:bigsmile