heres a pic of the component rack i made.
total cost of materials: $60 (most of this was for the shelf panels which are birch...you could probably use something else and get off even cheaper.
total time: about 2 hours including planning it out

...and here are the speaker stands.
cost of materials: @$22
time: 45 minutes

as a p.s.- i'm not that proficent w/ tools, but if you plan these out, they're insanely easy to construct.
with some molding or wood skirts they could probably look even better, but right now they're sturdy, and more than functional, which is really what i was after.

I like the component stand.

The A/V rack looks great. Is the back open (airflow)? Did you work any magic to keep the wiring organized?

What does the rack look like from behind?

Looks pretty nice but how sturdy is it? I'd want to put more shelves in it as well, and make it darker, so use stain. Anyway you can put some instructions up or tips on how many screws you used for each shelf, assuming it needs to hold roughly 30 lbs.

yeah, i didn't put anything on the back (mostly out of $ concerns) so i looks the same front or back(this was also done in case i chipped or gunked up any of the wood in front, then i could just turn it around)...i mulled it over for a while 'cause the one prob i see w/ having it so open is dust. but it would have been more trouble than it was worth. the way the top is constructed (spaced slats) also allows for some generous airflow too. i didn't realize how warm these recievers run so all the open space turned out to be for the best probably.

the wiring in back is just one helluva mess. i probably should organize it better, but i'm gonna try not to root around back there too much.

as far as sturdiness-i built this thing like a brick sh*thouse. the primary thing, even over asthetics and cost, was that it be solid. i'll do up a quick diagram and post it later.

i have thought about priming the rack and stands and painting them black (or a really dark blue or grey), w/ some grit mixed into the paint or primer to give it a subtle lil'funky texture so it doesn't just look like painted wood. then get some tinted, tempered glass to use for the shelves.
the glass comes out to $18 x 4 so i won't be doing it anytime soon-but i pretty much have the upgrade path already charted out.

good grief, i used to go over the stereo/electronics store to loiter & drool...now i find myself in the hardware section of sears doin it...

just in case anyone wants the directions, here they are:


*if you don't have any saws you can just get everything cut at home depot (or where-ever) and take the pieces home and screw 'em together.*

1) all your 2x4's (5 of these) will be the same length (however deep you want it to be)

2) all your 1x3's (8 of these) will be the same length (however wide you want the interior space to be)

3) all your 1x6 (or 1x8) planks (4 of these) will be the same size(however tall you want the unit to be)-BUT BE SURE TO LEAVE YOURSELF ENOUGH SPACE BECAUSE THE TOP AND BOTTOM WILL USE UP ABOUT 6"

4) for the 1x2 pieces inside that the shelves will rest on (2 for each self ) , chose a good, solid hardwood. and have these cut about 4" inches shorter than the 2x4's.

assemble the top and bottom first making sure they square up. put one screw in each corner first

once those are done just get the planks flush to edges on the outside and screw it up.
once you have the basic box built you can go inside and measure out the space for each shelf making sure each side matches and then screw those ledge pieces in.
depending on the wood you use, you may want to screw pilot holes first so you don't end up spliting the wood (as i've done many times)

thats pretty much it. measure the inside space and then you can get some panels cut to slip in as the shelves (you don't really need to nail these in) and your done.

good luck!

Hey man, gotta say nice work. Good job on the construction and the schematics. You're like Norm Abrahms with the (in my best new england accent) "measured drawring".

Great job!

Component stand looks good! Nice work!

Looks really awesome!!! Birch is great wood...very strong and looks great if you stain it or even paint it with a very light spray of black or charchol.

I really like the speaker stands...I've seen similar in stores, selling for nearly $90/pair.

Think about selling them to a local Home theater installer or store for some side money?

I am going to attempt to build the componenet stand this weekend. I will finally get the chance to use my Black and Decker Mouse!