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I've been looking for a DJ console for a while. But most of the the stuff I saw was either a) ugly or b) too expensive for a cheapskate like me.
I had hoped to find something at least close enough at Ikea, since their furniture generally looks pretty good and best of all it's cheap. The Ikea Expedit bookshelf, a favorite of DJs since the shelves are 13 x 13 and hold records or crates perfectly, has always looked like the perfect start, but they aren't deep enough to hold turntables on top.
Staring at them one day, I thought "Maybe there's something else in Ikea I could stack on top?". I found some neat shelf legs in the kitchen section that would work with some sort of counter or table top. Then in the TV furniture section I found the perfect solution. The Lack TV Console is the exact same width as the Expedit bookshelf, and the two looked like they could be put together seamlessly, since the Lack and Expedit lines are made out of the same thick material. And better yet, they don't need any extra hardware. Just make two saw cuts, drill eight holes, a little glue, and you're done. The whole thing will disassemble and almost pack flat.
The final dimensions are:
Top deck: 21.75 deep" x 58.75" wide, 38.5" high of the ground
Middle shelf: 15.5" deep x 55" wide x 6" tall
Record shelving: 8 sections 13.25" square by 15.5" deep
Note that since the Expedit pieces are so thick, it puts the turntables pretty high. That's probably the only catch with the design. You do have the option of making the side pieces under the top shorter though - something to consider if you are short or like your decks low.
If you build this hack, and like your $150 DJ console, you can show your appreciation at my Amazon Wish List.
I had hoped to find something at least close enough at Ikea, since their furniture generally looks pretty good and best of all it's cheap. The Ikea Expedit bookshelf, a favorite of DJs since the shelves are 13 x 13 and hold records or crates perfectly, has always looked like the perfect start, but they aren't deep enough to hold turntables on top.
Staring at them one day, I thought "Maybe there's something else in Ikea I could stack on top?". I found some neat shelf legs in the kitchen section that would work with some sort of counter or table top. Then in the TV furniture section I found the perfect solution. The Lack TV Console is the exact same width as the Expedit bookshelf, and the two looked like they could be put together seamlessly, since the Lack and Expedit lines are made out of the same thick material. And better yet, they don't need any extra hardware. Just make two saw cuts, drill eight holes, a little glue, and you're done. The whole thing will disassemble and almost pack flat.
The final dimensions are:
Top deck: 21.75 deep" x 58.75" wide, 38.5" high of the ground
Middle shelf: 15.5" deep x 55" wide x 6" tall
Record shelving: 8 sections 13.25" square by 15.5" deep
Note that since the Expedit pieces are so thick, it puts the turntables pretty high. That's probably the only catch with the design. You do have the option of making the side pieces under the top shorter though - something to consider if you are short or like your decks low.
If you build this hack, and like your $150 DJ console, you can show your appreciation at my Amazon Wish List.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials and Tools
You will need the following:
Lack TV Console
Expedit Bookshelf 58 x 31
Whatever tools Ikea calls for to assemble the above.
Electric Drill
Drillbits: 3/16 (5mm) and 5/16 (8mm)
Tablesaw, ideally
Wood glue
Lack TV Console
Expedit Bookshelf 58 x 31
Whatever tools Ikea calls for to assemble the above.
Electric Drill
Drillbits: 3/16 (5mm) and 5/16 (8mm)
Tablesaw, ideally
Wood glue
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However I recently noticed mine has started bowing in the middle holding the weight of 2 Technics. It not a big problem and i've adjusted the legs of the turntables to keep them level, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and found a good way to provide support in the middle?
Otherwise, maybe it's a good idea that when people build this they take the parts they cut off of the Lack upright pieces and use them for support in the middle.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultimate-Ikea-DJ-Unit/
In that case, maybe instead of using the 2x4 Expedit, use 2 2x2 Expedits and space them out. Maybe even hang a shelf between them?
I Also took pictures of the building process. Feel free to use any of this pics for help. I did not use the exact same measurements for the top piece as the instructions say, but they were just guidelines. I did leave a 1 1/2" hangover on the back.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/papajon/ikea%20DJ%20Console/?albumview=grid
There is definitely room for 3 turntables on top if you have the turntables facing sideways, scratch DJ style. I will add my 3rd turntable later, which I didn't have room for on my previous ghetto makeshift DJ table.
I love the way it looks and it's functionality, but the tables sit a little too high for my liking and I stand 5'11". Need to wear shoes or stand on a phone book for it to be a comfortable height for continuous use.
Overall, I am happy with the way it turned out, and for $150 and less then 2 hours of my time, It was worth it! Thanks drwelby for the inspiration.
check this out....
http://joenice.net/files/pics/deck_setup/3deck_001.jpg
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10105346
This leads me to one concern of this design, especially because the components are particle board (as are most things Ikea): Is this STURDY enough as a stand-alone unit, not attached to a wall?
I like to host parties in my basement, where the DJ is facing the gathering, so I need something that won't wobble standing on its own, even under enthusiastic knob turning and/or scratching.
It will be especially solid once you add some weight by filling it with records. If not you will want to make the base larger so it's less tippy.
I built this and everything was fine until I decided to buy a more powerful amplifier without checking it's height before. Result: the amp fits in the space between the expedit shelf top and the lack top with only 1mm space for air ventilation. That means I can't run this amp, otherwise it's getting terribly hot.
So now I am wondering whether there might be the possibility to extend the lack side pieces' height by approx. 2cm? Maybe by adding an extra piece between top and side pieces?! Another possibility would be to use the side pieces of the smaller expedit shelf: http://www.ikea.com/de/de/catalog/products/80135298 and cut them. Probably the best looking method....
Dr. Welby, can you think of something else?
Thanks in advance!