Now there’s is a middle aged middle class topic for you.
But a serious one nonetheless.
A built in wall unit encompassing hi fi ,TV books and assorted crap (Mrs Wells collection of ceramics for starters) are to be housed in a timber wall unit.
The bloke that does these things has been around and a design has been sketched out. My concern is the hi fi set up.Currnetly they (t/table, tuner, amp, cd player ,tape deck …yes tape deck) are all housed on a metal stack that I rahter brilliantly attached some felt to on the bottom so I can slide the unit out on ther floorboards and tinker round with assorted leads and cables- just like a real roadie. But thisis not an option in Mrs Wells brave new world. I thought of shelves on sliding racks but they wont be adjustable should a new piece of equipment have differnet dimensions and I wonder about the stability esp for the turntable( hmmm perhaps wooden base for t/table and sliders for units below, but how to get down belowthe turntable shelf which necessarily goes on top…..).
So you see my challenge. Anyone amongst the Massive ventured into the realms of built-in cabinetry and how to accomodate hi fi with practical rear access …TMFTL
How about a mini backless version of the famous Ikea Billy bookcase on hinges so can be swung out to access the back ofthe gear, and within the frame you could move the shelves up and down as required.
Funny just offloading 2 sets of the famous ilea billy bookcases as part of this reconfiguration.
Not sure your plan is going to pass muster Twang.
Under similar pressure from Mrs Fifer to deal with an awkward 3m x 2m alcove by having a display unit designed and installed, my solution was to have the contractor create a 1m x 36cm space at the centre of the base of the unit. Into that he installed a full-width shelf, mounted on heavy duty (for domestic purposes) runners. These allow the shelf to be pulled out , fully exposing the plugs, cables, sockets, etc. of my very elderly Technics set up. There is also rear access to power points and speakers. Works a treat technically and, when the dinky front doors are closed, Mrs Fifer is very happy.
If pictures would help, let me know and I’ll wrestle with the technology.
Mrs Wells will love this
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l522/davebigpicture/case.jpg
Seriously though, sliding shelves are possible. If you can conceal rack mount strips then any shelves can be adjusted by moving the cage mount nuts. Shelves can be a little industrial looking and you’ll need to check the weight they’ll take.
http://www.proaudiostash.co.uk/product/penn-elcom-rack-shelves/penn-elcom-sliding-shelves/1u-19-sliding-rack-tray/148.shtml
I would consider a patch panel to allow cables to be disconnected rather than fumbling around at the back of the equipment, assuming you have space to conceal this.
When I built a unit for similar purposes about 25 years ago, I went to Ikea to see what they had to do similar things. I found a slider bracket similar to the sort of thing you get on drawers that allowed me to simply put a single board between. The advantage of Ikea was that the things like that are usually options so you can buy just the bits of metal (actually I think mine may have come with the bit of wood as well but that would hav ebeen ditched in favour of wood that matched.
One important thing to consider is never to underestimate the weight of a stack of stuff and make sure whatever you pick can handle it.
Sonos or Airplay. The two most wife friendly hifi inventions ever.
thanks for the contributions. Problem with the time zone difference is that i ask a question and then go to bed.
Weight is a problem and the need for a very solid base for the turntable to avoid shudder. @davebigpicture thank you for your suggestion. Yes Mrs Wells would love it -not NEXT !
Think sliders are the way to go.
@fifer am interested in your solution.Pics would be great.
Isn’t it that you ask a question but none of the buggers are up yet?
if I ask this morning, yes ,but if Iasked late last night tis the opposite
Here you go!
Oops!
Thanks @fifer, impressive but for mine I like the turntable,on it’s own rather stacked and the older I get the lower that shelf looks.
The plan I am thinking of is heavy top shelf for t/table,that can be lifted out and all the gear below on sliding shelves.